With the rise of online ticket resale marketplaces, it can be difficult to tell legitimate ticket sellers from scammers out to make a quick buck. When buying tickets from unfamiliar sellers, especially for hot events like concerts or playoff games, you want to be sure your tickets are real and will get you through the gate. Here are some tips on how to spot fraudulent ticket sales and signs of trustworthy sellers.
Check seller ratings and reviews
Reputable online ticket marketplaces like StubHub and Vivid Seats have rating systems for sellers. Look for sellers with a high percentage of positive reviews from past buyers. Read through negative reviews as well – some bad ratings could be due to picky customers rather than a problem with the seller. Avoid any sellers with multiple complaints about selling invalid or fraudulent tickets.
Outside of resale sites, look up the seller on review sites like Yelp and the Better Business Bureau. Be wary of sellers with no reviews or history, as they may be scammers setting up quick fake profiles. There should be a track record of satisfied customers you can reference.
Verify the seller’s credentials
Many professional ticket brokers belong to organizations like the National Association of Ticket Brokers (NATB). NATB members agree to follow a code of conduct. While membership is not a guarantee, it shows the seller is established enough to pay for accreditation. The NATB symbol next to a broker’s name is a good sign.
See if the seller has a physical business address and established contact info. Scammers tend to hide behind PO boxes and fake numbers. Call the phone number listed to see if anyone answers and can verify the company’s ticket selling services.
Avoid unbelievable deals
While you can sometimes score tickets at below face value, be wary of sellers offering amazing deals far cheaper than the going rate. If a price seems too good to be true, it often is. Scammers lure in buyers with the promise of cheap tickets only to take their money and run.
Use a ticket price aggregation site like TicketIQ to research the fair market value for that particular event. Prices can fluctuate, but be suspicious of anything more than 20-30% below comparable tickets.
Insist on secure payment methods
Never pay with cash, wire transfers, gift cards or other irreversible payment methods. Legitimate sellers will have merchant accounts with standard credit card processing. Pay with a credit card so you can dispute any fraudulent charges.
Secure online marketplaces like StubHub also offer buyer guarantees in case of fraud. For local sellers, try to pay in person or use services like PayPal that offer purchase protection.
Ask about ticket delivery
For physical tickets, make sure the seller uses a reputable delivery method with tracking. Paying extra for delivery confirmation is a worthwhile investment to ensure your tickets arrive safely. Print-at-home “eTickets” should come via a secure link or app-based transfer.
Be wary if the seller insists on delivery less than 3-4 weeks before the event. This can signal they do not actually have the tickets in hand. For last minute purchases, make arrangements to pick up tickets in person rather than risking delivery.
Verify before the event
As soon as you receive your tickets, check that all details like seat numbers, barcode and event name are accurate. Make sure the tickets are for the correct date and venue. Scrutinize eTickets for any alteration, distortion or signs of fraud.
If possible, register the tickets with the venue or event organizer. Many major ticketing platforms offer tools to validate tickets before event day. This is the best way to confirm your tickets are real and will scan correctly at the entrance gate or turnstile.
Be wary of scams and fraud
Be on the lookout for common ticket scams perpetrated by shady sellers:
- Selling fake paper tickets – Often blank or with incorrect event details
- “Guaranteed entry” offers – Cannot actually guarantee you’ll get in
- Non-transferable tickets – Against venue policy to resell
- “Industry” or “free” tickets – Usually illegally obtained
- Requesting extra fees – Only pay stated ticket price and delivery fee
Trust your gut if an offer seems sketchy or too good to be true. You are better off paying market price from a verified source than risking scam tickets.
Only use reputable marketplaces
Stick to trusted online ticket marketplaces like StubHub, Vivid Seats and SeatGeek, which vet their sellers and guarantee refunds in case of fraud. Read each site’s buying guarantees and anti-fraud policies.
Buying directly from the venue’s site or box office is also a guarantee of authenticity. Only use Craigslist, Facebook or smaller sites if you can verify the seller’s reputation.
Conclusion
While buying tickets from an unfamiliar seller always involves some risk, following these tips can help avoid fake ticket scams:
- Research seller ratings and credentials
- Beware prices that seem too good to be true
- Only pay through secure methods like credit card
- Confirm delivery method and validate tickets
- Stick to guarantees of reputable marketplaces
As long as you vet your seller thoroughly and complete your purchase through trustworthy platforms, you can feel confident you’ll get legitimate event tickets. Paying market value from an established seller is worth it for the peace of mind that you’ll have guaranteed entry.
| Type of Seller | Legitimacy Level | Fraud Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Official box office and venue sites | 100% legitimate | No risk |
| Major ticket resale marketplaces (StubHub, VividSeats) | High legitimacy | Low risk |
| Reputable independent brokers (NATB members) | Moderate legitimacy | Medium risk |
| Unknown independent sellers | Questionable legitimacy | High risk |
| Peer-to-peer sites (Craigslist, Facebook) | Hard to verify | High risk |
| Scam artists | No legitimacy | Extremely high risk |
This table summarizes the typical legitimacy level and fraud risk when purchasing tickets from different source types. Official box offices are 100% safe, while peer-to-peer and scam sellers pose the highest chance of fake or invalid tickets.
What are signs of a scam ticket seller?
Here are some common red flags that indicate a ticket seller may be trying to scam you:
- Prices far below face value or market rate
- Vague or inconsistent company details
- Poor or no seller ratings and reviews
- Aggressive sales tactics or high-pressure offers
- Requests unusual payment methods like cash or wire transfer
- No physical address or established contact info
- Refusal to provide details about ticket source
- Last minute ticket availability for sold out events
- Grammatical errors or typos in communication
If you notice any of these shady practices, it is best to avoid purchasing tickets from that seller. An abundance of red flags likely indicates a scam attempt rather than a legitimate ticket source.
How to safely buy tickets from Craigslist or Facebook
Buying tickets through classifieds sites like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace does carry risks, but you can mitigate them by taking precautions:
- Vet the seller’s profile and look for reviews of past ticket transactions
- Ask for identification and proof of purchase like receipt or email confirmations
- Meet in person to exchange cash for tickets if possible
- Verify tickets immediately for correct details and signs of alteration
- Register tickets directly with venue through account manager tools
- Only buy from local sellers able to meet in your area
- Trust your instinct if a deal seems suspicious – remember if it’s too good to be true, it probably is!
What are the best ticket resale sites?
The most trustworthy online ticket marketplaces include:
- StubHub – Large selection and buying guarantees against fraud.
- Vivid Seats – Competitive pricing and 100% buyer guarantee.
- SeatGeek – Filters help find best deals and value seats.
- RazorGator – Specializes in premium and VIP seating packages.
- Ticketmaster – Official marketplace of many major leagues and teams.
- TickPick – All prices including fees shown upfront.
These sites thoroughly vet sellers, so you can feel confident you’ll receive authentic event tickets in time for the date. Read each site’s policies and buyer guarantees closely when comparison shopping.
Key takeaways
Here are the key tips to keep in mind when buying tickets:
- Research the seller’s reputation and credentials
- Watch for prices that seem too good to be true
- Only use secure payment methods like credit cards
- Confirm delivery method and validate all ticket details
- Buy directly from venues and trusted marketplaces
- Avoid sellers using shady practices or pressure tactics
As long as you thoroughly vet your ticket source and complete the transaction through legitimate platforms, you can minimize the risk of fraud and feel confident your tickets will be valid. Keep your guard up, use common sense, and enjoy the show!
