Is there a way to verify ticket authenticity?

With the rise in popularity of online ticket sales and resales, determining if a ticket is authentic or counterfeit has become increasingly important for consumers. Fake tickets can lead to being denied entry to an event, losing the money spent on the ticket, and potentially legal issues. There are several ways consumers can verify the authenticity of tickets they purchase online or from secondary sources.

Check Security Features of the Ticket

Most event tickets have security features that can be checked to determine if they are genuine. These may include:

• Holograms – Many tickets have holographic images that are difficult to reproduce. Tilt the ticket back and forth to see the hologram shift.
• UV ink – Under blacklight, many tickets have images, logos or writing that will show up. Use a UV flashlight to check.
• Watermarks – Hold the ticket up to the light to see subtle watermarked images ingrained in the ticket.
• Heat-sensitive ink – Rubbing the ticket will reveal hidden writing or images imprinted with heat-sensitive ink.
• Embossing – Feel for raised or textured printing on the ticket, which is hard to duplicate.
• Sequential numbering – Ensure the ticket number falls within the valid sequence for that event.
• Security cuts – The ticket may have unusual cuts, perforations or edges that are hard to forge.

Run checks on any security features present, but recognize that good fakes exist that can replicate some of these. Use multiple verification methods whenever possible.

Purchase From Reputable Sellers

The seller that you obtain the ticket from is one of the best indicators of whether it is real or fake. Reputable sellers include:

• The original venue or event website.
• Authorized ticket resale marketplaces like Stubhub or VividSeats.
• Established ticket resellers with excellent customer reviews.
• Friends, family or acquaintances that are trusted.

Avoid buying from sellers that seem suspicious, such as individuals on craigslist or social media selling well below face value, or newly formed companies with no reviews.

While buying from a disreputable seller does not guarantee the tickets are fake, it dramatically increases the odds that the tickets could be fraudulent or invalid. Always check reviews and research a new ticket provider thoroughly first.

Verify Purchase Details

When you make a ticket purchase, ensure that all the details are consistent with an authentic ticket order:

• Website is secure – Look for https:// and a lock icon in the browser bar.
• Price is reasonable – If the price is far below face value there is higher risk.
• Seller contact info is provided – Opaque sellers are a red flag.
• Ticket details match event – Double check event name, date, section, seats etc.
• Order confirmation is provided – Should receive email or SMS confirmation.
• Tickets delivered securely – Best if tickets are transferred electronically via AXS, Ticketmaster etc.

Fraudulent sellers often have inconsistencies in purchase details like incorrect venues, prices that are too low, or pressuring buyers to pay in untraceable ways like wire transfers. Scrutinize the details carefully.

Check Ticket History

If purchasing a resale ticket, you can look up the ticket’s status and history with the venue or ticket issuer. This requires the ticket’s serial number or barcode:

• Call the box office – Provide barcode to staff to check in their system.
• Use online tools – Ticketmaster, AXS etc may let you look up ticket details online.
• Contact prior owner – Have them confirm they sold the specific ticket.

The ticket should have a consistent record of purchase from a trusted source. Beware if details are inconsistent or the ticket has no resale history.

Buy Ticket Insurance

Many ticket resale marketplaces like VividSeats or StubHub offer ticket insurance options on purchases for a small fee. This guarantees a full refund if the ticket ends up being invalid for any reason. Only real tickets are insurable, so this gives an extra layer of protection. Make sure to review policy details on coverage and process for claims.

Avoid “Too Good To Be True” Offers

If an offer seems suspiciously generous, that is a clear warning sign. Be very cautious of:

• Prices far below face value – No incentives exist for legitimate sellers to lose money.
• First come/first serve offers – Prevent you from scrutinizing purchase.
• Requests for unusual payments – Wire transfers, gift cards etc can’t be traced.
• Seller claims to work for venue/team – Verify this if stated.

While not proof alone of fraud, offers that seem too good to be true almost always are. Apply extra scrutiny to anything fitting this description.

Get Tickets Early Via Presales

To avoid the risk of counterfeits in secondary markets, try to purchase tickets during presales before the general public onsale. Ways to get early access include:

• Fan club memberships – Artists/teams offer presales to their fan clubs.
• Credit card presales – Certain cards provide early access to hot events.
• Promoter presales – Sign up on band/team websites for presale codes.
• VIP packages – Buying upgrades sometimes includes presale ticket access.
• Reputable resale sites – Some sites acquire inventory for presale before general onsale.

Presale tickets are guaranteed authentic and avoid the risks of secondary markets. Set calendar reminders for presales and jump on early inventory.

Inspect Tickets Thoroughly

When you receive or pick up tickets, inspect them carefully for signs of duplication or alteration:

• Damage/wear inconsistencies – Tickets should match expected age and usage.
• Image/graphics inconsistencies – Images should align correctly on both sides.
• Text errors – Font, size and alignment should be precise.
• Low quality materials – Authentic tickets use cardstock, gloss and holograms.
• Spelling/grammar issues – Text should be professional with no errors.

Even good fakes often have small imperfections detectable upon close visual inspection. Scrutinize every element of the ticket for any irregularities.

Carefully checking for any small differences from a genuine ticket can identify sophisticated fakes passed off as real.

Validate with Venue Staff

If any doubts exist on authenticity, your best option is to have the tickets checked at the venue box office. Their staff regularly handle event tickets and can verify the following:

• Security features – Holograms, watermarks, UV ink etc.
• Inventory sequence – Ticket number falls within valid range.
• Purchase details – Confirms buyer/seller info and sales data.
• Known fakes – Staff recognize duplicates already denied.

Coordinate a meet-up time in advance to validate with box office staff before the event starts. It also helps to bring the original purchase information and ID of the buyer. This provides the most reliable authentication but requires making a trip to the venue ahead of time.

Only Accept Hard Tickets

With paperless mobile tickets now common, you may receive a mobile ticket rather than a hard copy. To ensure validity:

• Only accept transfers via official apps – Like Ticketmaster, AXS, SeatGeek etc.
• Do not accept screenshots – These can be easily duplicated.
• Link tickets to your own account when transferred.
• Check account ticket listings frequently – Make sure ticket still appears.

Mobile tickets have introduced new vulnerabilities. Only accept mobile tickets delivered through official provider apps, never via screenshot.

Conclusion

With the popularity of online and resale ticket purchases, fans need to take steps to confirm the authenticity of event tickets. Checking security features, purchase source/details, ticket history, early presale access, and inspection can spot many fake tickets. For best results, have venue box office staff validate any questionable tickets prior to the event. While fakes do occasionally slip through, being vigilant using these tips will limit fans from being victimized by counterfeit ticket scams.