With the popularity of online ticket sales, buying concert tickets from Ticketmaster or other major ticket retailers online has become the norm. However, the internet also opens up more opportunities for scammers to take advantage of eager concertgoers. Fake concert tickets being sold online are a big problem – according to the National Consumers League, around 20% of the tickets sold online are fraudulent. Getting scammed is an awful experience so it’s important to know how to verify that your Ticketmaster concert tickets are real before buying them.
Check Ticketmaster’s Verified Ticket Resale Marketplace
Ticketmaster has a resale ticket marketplace for fans to resell extra tickets. This is a safer option compared to buying from unknown third party resellers because Ticketmaster vets their sellers. They ensure the tickets being resold are genuine so you don’t have to worry about fraud when buying resale tickets on Ticketmaster. However, resale prices may be higher than face value.
When buying tickets from an individual seller here, make sure the listing states “Verified Ticket” which means Ticketmaster has confirmed it’s a real ticket being resold.
Be Wary of Scams from Unknown Third Party Resellers
There are many unofficial resale sites and sellers that claim to sell authentic event tickets but actually scam buyers by selling fake or non-existent tickets. Some signs that a third party ticket seller may be untrustworthy include:
- Prices that are much lower than face value – this can indicate the tickets are fake
- Spelling or grammatical errors on the website
- No refund policy or guarantees that the tickets are authentic
- Requests for you to pay with cash, wire transfer, gift cards or cryptocurrency instead of credit card
Purchasing tickets from these dubious sites is extremely risky. Many buyers end up paying money for tickets that never arrive or turn out to be fraudulent at the venue. It’s simply not worth the chance and potential costs.
Safe Ways to Buy Tickets from Third Party Resellers
If you do choose to purchase tickets from a third party source, here are some safer options:
StubHub
StubHub is one of the largest and most reputable ticket resale marketplaces. They offer buyer guarantees to protect against fraud. Sellers must provide certain information like the ticket barcode before getting paid. StubHub will refund the full cost of fake tickets. However, double check their policies as there may be time limits on reporting issues.
VividSeats
Similar to StubHub, VividSeats is another big trustworthy resale site that vets sellers and provides buyer guarantees against counterfeits. Make sure to review their policies carefully for how to get assistance if tickets end up being invalid.
Reputable Ticket Exchange Facebook Groups
Instead of websites, buying tickets through safe community groups like trusted fan clubs or Facebook groups for ticket exchanges can be more secure. Here you pay and interact with verified individuals rather than unknown sellers. Be sure to only deal with established group members.
| Third Party Site | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| StubHub |
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| VividSeats |
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| Facebook Ticket Exchange Groups |
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How to Identify Fake Concert Tickets
If you already purchased concert tickets and are unsure if they are real, here are ways to help identify if the tickets are fake:
Check Security Features
Genuine event tickets have special security features to prevent counterfeits. Here are some things to look for:
- Thermochromic Ink: This ink is sensitive to heat and changes color when warmed by touch. Rubbing your finger across the ticket should reveal symbols, numbers or the venue name.
- Holograms: Many tickets have unique reflective silver hologram strips.
- Microprint: Under a magnifying glass, you should see tiny print with details like the venue or artist name.
- Textures: Feel the ticket for embossing, raised text, intaglio printing ridges or other textures.
- Watermarks: Hold the ticket up to light to see faded images like logos embedded in the paper.
- UV Reactive Ink: Shining a blacklight on the ticket will make certain elements glow.
Fake tickets will lack these traits or have poor quality versions.
Verify the Barcode
For electronic tickets, use the venue or ticket seller’s online tools to validate the barcode or confirmation code. There should be a match with the event details and seat info.
Facilities like stadiums can also scan your ticket’s barcode onsite to confirm it’s legitimate and wasn’t already scanned. If you bought a paper ticket, call the official box office ahead of time and they may be able to look up your seat by the ticket number.
Compare with Genuine Tickets
Search online to find sample images of real tickets for the concert event you’re attending. Compare your actual ticket’s colors, fonts, layout, images, text and more against the genuine version. Fake tickets often differ slightly from the official design.
You can also compare against a friend’s ticket if they bought from the venue. Two tickets for the same show should look identical.
Carefully Examine for Red Flags
Look closely for these telltale signs of counterfeit tickets:
- Misspellings, incorrect dates or venue details
- Flimsy paper, thinner or different than real tickets
- Lack of seat, row and section numbers
- Missing or incorrect barcodes
- No ticket seller branding like logos, holograms and watermarks
- Generally unprofessional design, printing and quality
What to Do if Your Tickets are Fake
If you verify your tickets are counterfeit, here are the next best steps:
- Contact the seller/website immediately: Notify them the tickets are fraudulent. They may issue a refund or replacement tickets if you are within their guarantee window and terms.
- Report the seller: File claims to sites like the Better Business Bureau and Federal Trade Commission. Leave reviews warning others about the scam.
- Dispute the charges: If you paid by credit card, contest the charges as fraudulent. Provide evidence the tickets were fake and didn’t match the item description.
- Buy last minute tickets: There are often genuine tickets still available leading up to show dates at face value prices. Check the official box office, Ticketmaster or other reputable sellers.
- Go to the venue box office: On concert day, there are sometimes extra tickets released for in-person sales only due to cancellations.
Don’t try sneaking into the event with counterfeit tickets as you may face denied entry or legal consequences. Carefully vetting tickets initially is the best way to avoid fake ticket headaches. Being an informed buyer is vital for getting real concert tickets and peace of mind.
Conclusion
Getting scammed by fake concert tickets is an unfortunate risk when buying online. Always purchase from trusted sources like Ticketmaster directly or their Verified Resale Marketplace. If using third party ticket sites, ensure they are reputable platforms with buyer fraud protections. Inspect any purchased tickets thoroughly by checking security features and comparing to genuine samples. If your Ticketmaster or other concert tickets end up being counterfeit, immediately contact the seller for refunds and report them to help prevent future scams. While fake tickets are a nuisance, being a smart, cautious buyer will help you successfully obtain authentic tickets to enjoy your desired show.
