Is Ticketmaster tax email legit?

In recent weeks, many Ticketmaster customers have reported receiving emails claiming that Ticketmaster needs to collect additional taxes on their ticket purchases. The emails state that Ticketmaster is required by law to collect these taxes and request that customers submit payment. Understandably, this has raised concerns among Ticketmaster users about whether the emails are legitimate or some sort of scam.

What do the emails say?

The emails in question look very similar to normal Ticketmaster communications. They include Ticketmaster branding and logos and are sent from an address like [email protected].

The body of the email explains that Ticketmaster is required by law to collect additional taxes on the customer’s ticket purchases. It states that these taxes were inadvertently excluded from the final price paid. The email provides instructions for submitting the additional tax payment to Ticketmaster via credit card or PayPal.

The emails claim that Ticketmaster could face penalties if they do not collect the taxes. Some versions of the email threaten collections or legal action if the customer does not pay promptly. Most ask for payment of $10 to $15 per ticket purchased.

Are the emails legitimate?

According to Ticketmaster, these emails are phishing scams and not legitimate communications. Ticketmaster has confirmed that they did not send the emails and are not requesting additional tax payments.

Some key indicators that the emails are fake:

• Ticketmaster is not subject to a new tax law requiring additional collection. No such tax law exists.
• The emails are not personalized with customer details. Legitimate Ticketmaster emails address customers by name.
• The sender addresses can be spoofed and may not match official Ticketmaster domains.
• Ticketmaster does not threaten collections or legal action in its communications.
• Ticketmaster would not ask for payment via unofficial channels like PayPal.

In summary, the emails appear designed to trick Ticketmaster customers into paying bogus extra taxes. Customers should not click any links or provide payment information in response.

What taxes are charged on tickets?

There are a few legitimate taxes and fees that are charged on event tickets in the United States:

• Sales tax – This statewide tax is collected based on the purchaser’s location. Rates vary from 0% up to over 9% depending on the state.
• Service fees – This fee covers the ticket seller’s operating expenses and is charged per ticket. Ticketmaster service fees are typically 10-25% of the ticket price.
• Facility fees – Collected by the venue to cover their costs, this fixed per-ticket fee ranges from $2-$20 or more.
• Order processing fees – Online and phone orders are subject to a per-order processing fee, such as $5-$15 per order.

The legitimate taxes and fees are built into the advertised ticket prices shown to customers. Ticketmaster does not charge surprise taxes after purchase.

How can customers identify fake emails?

Heed these tips to determine if a Ticketmaster email is real or fake:

• Check the sender’s email address. Ticketmaster addresses should end in @ticketmaster.com or @livenation.com.
• Hover over clicked links to see if they lead to legitimate Ticketmaster domains. Fake links often try to imitate the company’s URL.
• Look for your specific order details like event, seat numbers, and order date. Generic emails are more likely to be scams.
• Call Ticketmaster customer support if you are uncertain. Do not call phone numbers or reply to email addresses in suspected phishing emails.

Be wary of emails that threaten action for non-payment or ask for account details, PINs, or sensitive information. Legitimate companies don’t make such requests by email.

What should customers do if they received a suspicious email?

If you receive an email claiming to be from Ticketmaster requesting additional taxes, take these steps:

1. Do not click any links or attachments in the email. They may contain malware.
2. Forward the email to [email protected]. This helps Ticketmaster track scams impersonating their brand.
3. Delete the suspicious email. You can also move it to your spam folder to help filter future scam messages.
4. If you provided payment information, call your bank immediately to report unauthorized charges.
5. Change your Ticketmaster account password if you reused it elsewhere. Scammers who gain passwords often try using them on multiple sites.
6. File a report with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The information helps law enforcement combat phishing scams.

Following these steps can help protect you from potential harm caused by fake emails. Alerting Ticketmaster also supports their efforts to shut down scams and alert customers.

How can customers prevent phishing scams?

All customers should be vigilant against phishing emails pretending to be from companies they patronize. Here are some tips to avoid being tricked:

• Never provide sensitive information in an unsolicited email. Legitimate companies will not unexpectedly ask for things like passwords, PINs, or full credit card numbers.
• Watch for poor spelling, grammar, or low-quality logos. These can signify a scam email from fraudsters.
• Verify the sender address, which can be forged. If unsure, look up the company’s email domains to compare.
• Hover over hyperlinks to see their true destination before clicking. Fake links often try to mimic a real company’s URL.
• Enable two-factor authentication on accounts whenever possible. This provides extra login security against compromised passwords.
• Never call phone numbers, reply to addresses, or click links in an unsolicited email. Find verified contact info on the company’s official website.

Following best practices for email and online security makes it much harder for scammers to trick their targets. Ticketmaster customers should remain vigilant against tax-related phishing scams and other threats when making online purchases.

Conclusion

In summary, the Ticketmaster tax emails requesting additional payment are not legitimate. Ticketmaster has confirmed the messages are phishing scams impersonating their brand. Customers should not provide any information or payment in response. Carefully checking sender addresses, looking for order details, and verifying before clicking links can help identify and avoid fake emails.

Reporting scam emails to Ticketmaster and other involved companies can assist their counter-fraud efforts. Following best practices around email security also goes a long way toward protecting customers from phishing threats. Remaining vigilant for telltale signs of scams is the best defense against fraudsters attempting to take advantage of unsuspecting consumers.