How do I verify a resale ticket?

Purchasing tickets from unauthorized resellers can be risky. Fake tickets can leave you stranded outside an event you were looking forward to attending. Verifying tickets helps protect you as a buyer by confirming their authenticity before purchase. Here are some tips on how to verify resale tickets:

Check for official certification or verification

Many major ticket marketplaces and resellers have official verification processes that confirm if a ticket is genuine. This gives buyers peace of mind that the tickets they are purchasing are valid. Some things to look for:

• Verified reseller badges/indicators on marketplaces like StubHub or VividSeats. These companies vet their resellers and guarantee tickets sold by verified sellers.
• “Verified by [Company/Event]” text or logos printed on the ticket. This indicates the ticket has been confirmed as authentic by the company or event.
• Certificates of authenticity that come with the ticket shipment. These may contain anti-forgery measures like holograms or serial numbers that can be cross-referenced.

Purchasing verified resale tickets from trusted companies ensures you are getting real, valid tickets that will scan correctly at the event.

Research the seller

In addition to verifying the ticket itself, you also want to research who you are buying from. Reputable sellers with long histories of positive reviews are less likely to sell fake or void tickets. Here are some things to look into about the seller:

• Check how long the seller has been active on the marketplace. Accounts open for years suggest an established user.
• Review their feedback and sales history. Consistently positive reviews indicate reliable transactions.
• Look for signs of legitimacy like links to real social media profiles or company info.
• Avoid sellers with zero or limited histories and those using stock images rather than business profiles.

Buying from an experienced seller with lots of positive feedback helps avoid scams. Be wary of brand new accounts or those with limited histories. Do your research before purchasing.

Scrutinize the ticket details

Examine the ticket closely before buying. Fake tickets often contain giveaways upon close inspection. Look for:

• Misspellings, grammatical errors, uneven font/lettering. These may indicate an amateur counterfeit.
• Blurry words, images, barcodes. Authentic security features should be crisp.
• Lack of watermarks, holograms, or other anti-counterfeit measures.
• Prices that seem too good to be true. Deeply discounted tickets can raise suspicion.

Purchase only from sellers who provide images of the actual tickets for sale. Scrutinize every aspect of the ticket for any signs of inauthenticity. If you notice any red flags, avoid buying.

Verify ticket barcode information

Barcodes contain important ticket data that you can cross-reference for accuracy:

• Event details – Date, venue, seat info should match the event.
• Ticket source – Double check which company/site the ticket came from.
• Price – Scan prices and fees to ensure they add up appropriately.

Sites like Ticketmaster and StubHub allow you to enter the ticket barcode to pull up and confirm all associated information. If details don’t line up, the ticket may be fraudulent.

Only use safe payment methods

Paying safely also helps avoid ticket scams:

• Avoid wire transfers, cash payments, external links/QR codes which offer no buyer protection.
• Use reputable ticket marketplace payment systems like PayPal.
• Never pay the full amount upfront without receiving the ticket.

Safe payments give you recourse if the ticket ends up being fake. Avoid risky payment methods and only pay upon verified ticket delivery.

Confirm your purchase is refundable

In case you receive an invalid ticket, buying from a reseller that guarantees refunds is ideal protection. Many sites offer full refunds if tickets don’t work as promised. Things to look for:

• “Refund if Ticket Doesn’t Scan” policies on marketplaces like VividSeats and StubHub.
• Individual seller return policies – Most reputable sellers will refund if a ticket has issues.
• Payment methods like PayPal that allow you to dispute a payment.

Purchasing refundable tickets reduces the financial risks if you happen to be scammed or sold an unusable ticket.

Use mobile ticket transfer when possible

Many major events now use mobile ticketing where tickets are instantly transferred to your phone app. This ensures:

• Tickets can’t be duplicated or resold after transfer.
• You have the tickets immediately without physical shipment.
• It’s easy to transfer tickets safely to friends if needed.

Mobile transfer features like Ticketmaster’s SafeTix provide protection against fraud. Opt for mobile delivery when available.

Test ticket barcode before event

Upon receiving the ticket, test scanning the barcode using a ticket reader app to confirm it’s valid. Apps like Ticket Checker simulate the venue scanner to check if the barcode will properly pull up the ticket details. Test any tickets you buy before the event.

Bring receipt/order information

Keep all purchase receipts, order confirmations, and marketplace order history pages in case you need to verify your purchase at the venue. Many companies also allow you to access tickets via your account if you lose your phone. Bring all relevant paperwork to have on hand if any ticket issues arise.

Arrive early in case of problems

Be sure to arrive at the event early in case there are any problems scanning your tickets. This gives you time to troubleshoot with staff and contact the seller if there are any issues. You also want to avoid missing the event start in case you need to sort out a fake ticket situation.

Conclusion

Here are some final tips for safely verifying resale tickets:

Following security best practices reduces the chances of purchasing fake or invalid resale tickets. Do your due diligence on sellers, scrutinize ticket details closely, and take advantage of buyer protections. Carefully verifying your ticket purchase helps ensure a smooth entry to the event.