What happens if someone steals your Ticketmaster tickets?

Having your event tickets stolen can be an extremely frustrating situation. If you purchased tickets through Ticketmaster and then had them stolen, you may be wondering what recourse you have and if you can get replacement tickets.

Can You Get Replacement Tickets From Ticketmaster If Yours Were Stolen?

Unfortunately, Ticketmaster does not offer replacement tickets if yours are lost, stolen, or destroyed. Their official policy is that tickets are a bearer instrument, which means they can be used by whoever holds the ticket. So if your Ticketmaster tickets were stolen, even if you reported the theft, Ticketmaster would not provide you with new or replacement tickets.

Some key points about Ticketmaster’s policy on stolen or lost tickets:

• They do not offer refunds or new tickets if yours were stolen or lost.
• They treat tickets as a bearer instrument that can be used by whoever holds the ticket, whether you or a thief.
• Reporting the theft to them does not make you eligible for replacements.
• This policy applies for both paper tickets and e-tickets purchased through Ticketmaster.

So unfortunately, if your Ticketmaster tickets are stolen, you are likely completely out of luck in terms of getting replacements directly through Ticketmaster. Their policy places full responsibility on the ticket holder to keep the tickets safe and secure.

Can You Dispute the Charges or Get the Tickets Cancelled?

Since Ticketmaster will not replace stolen tickets, your only other option is trying to dispute the credit card charges or get the original tickets cancelled before they are used. Here are some tips on disputing charges or canceling the tickets:

• Call Ticketmaster immediately if you believe your tickets were stolen. Reporting it quickly gives you the best chance of getting the order cancelled before the tickets are used.
• File a report with the police department to have documentation of the theft.
• Dispute the charges with your credit card company and provide the police report detailing the theft.
• Provide as much proof as possible to Ticketmaster and your credit card company, including order confirmation emails, receipts, police reports, etc.
• Be persistent in following up with both Ticketmaster and your credit card issuer if the dispute is not resolved quickly.

Credit card companies may be willing to reverse the charges and refund your money if you can show proof that the tickets were stolen and you reported it promptly. However, it is not guaranteed as Ticketmaster can claim they fulfilled the order.

Can You Report the Thief and Prevent Them From Using the Tickets?

While Ticketmaster’s policy makes it unlikely to get replacement tickets, you may have better luck reporting the thief and preventing them from actually using your stolen tickets. Here are some tips if you know who stole your Ticketmaster tickets:

• File a police report against the individual documenting that they stole your tickets.
• Contact Ticketmaster and provide them information on who stole the tickets. They may flag the account, name, payment method, etc. to try blocking fraudulent use.
• Reach out to the venue directly and ask them to invalidate the ticket barcodes if possible and prevent entry with the stolen tickets.
• Follow up frequently with both Ticketmaster and the venue to ensure they take action before the event date.

While there is no guarantee of stopping the thief, reporting details to Ticketmaster, the venue, and police provides your best chance. Be persistent and do not wait to take action if you know who stole your tickets.

Is Purchasing Ticket Insurance Worth It?

Given that Ticketmaster does not replace stolen or lost tickets, you may be wondering if ticket insurance is worth buying when purchasing tickets in the future. There are a few major ticket insurance providers:

The key benefits that these ticket insurance providers offer are:

• Replacement tickets if yours are lost, stolen, or destroyed
• Covers a variety of unexpected circumstances leading to ticket loss
• Peace of mind knowing your ticket purchase is protected
• Allows you to enjoy the event even if something happens to the tickets

The cost is usually a percentage of the ticket value and can vary based on the coverage amount and provider. While it adds an extra upfront cost, it can be worth it for expensive tickets or sold out events you would be devastated to miss.

Steps for Safeguarding Your Tickets

To avoid needing to rely on ticket insurance or deal with stolen tickets, your best bet is taking measures to prevent theft or loss in the first place. Here are some tips to keep your Ticketmaster tickets secure:

• Use Ticketmaster’s mobile tickets when possible so they are tied to your account.
• Don’t share barcodes online as screen shots where someone could replicate them.
• Store printed tickets in a safe location like a locked safe until the event.
• Only share ticket details with trusted individuals that will attend the event.
• Avoid posting ticket information publicly on social media.
• Use a credit card when purchasing so you can dispute fraudulent charges.

Taking simple precautions can go a long way towards keeping your tickets protected. Additionally, avoid buying from third party sellers, as the tickets may be fraudulent or get reported as stolen down the line.

Bottom Line

Having Ticketmaster tickets stolen can certainly create a headache. Their policy does not provide replacement tickets or refunds if yours were stolen. Your options are limited to disputing the charges or reporting details to Ticketmaster and the venue in hopes of cancelling the tickets before they are used. To avoid issues in the future, consider ticket insurance for expensive purchases and take measures to secure your tickets.