There are a few common reasons why Ticketmaster may not be processing your payment when trying to purchase tickets online:
Your payment method was declined
The most likely reason your payment isn’t going through is that your credit card or other payment method was declined. This can happen for several reasons:
- Insufficient funds – Your card doesn’t have enough available credit to cover the ticket purchase.
- Expired card – Your credit card or debit card has expired and needs to be updated.
- Incorrect CVV – You may have entered an incorrect 3 or 4 digit CVV security code on the back of your card.
- Fraud prevention hold – Your bank may have placed a hold on your card if they detected suspicious charges.
If your payment method was declined, you will need to contact your bank or credit card company to resolve the issue before trying again. You may be able to make the purchase immediately after updating your payment information.
Website errors
Less commonly, an error with the Ticketmaster website itself could prevent your payment from going through. Some examples include:
- Connectivity issues – Temporary glitches with your internet connection or the Ticketmaster server may disrupt the payment process.
- Page timeout – If the page takes too long to load, eventually it may time out before completing your purchase.
- Bug in coding – Rarely a bug in the website code could prevent payments from processing correctly.
If it seems to be an issue with the Ticketmaster website rather than your payment method, try refreshing the page or starting again from the beginning. Clearing your browser cookies and cache could also help. If the problem persists, try again on a different device or web browser.
Account verification required
For security purposes, Ticketmaster may require new users to have their account verified before allowing large purchases. You may see a message when checking out that you need to verify your account.
To verify your account, you will need to provide information like:
- Name and billing address
- Phone number
- Credit card number
- Ticketmaster password
After submitting this information, you will receive a verification code via email or text message that needs to be entered on the website. Once your account is verified, you should be able to complete your ticket purchase.
Ticket limits
For very popular events, Ticketmaster may set ticket purchase limits to prevent resellers from buying up all the seats. If you attempt to purchase more tickets than the set limit, your order will be declined.
Some common Ticketmaster ticket limits include:
- 4-8 tickets per household
- 10 ticket maximum
- Only allowing the purchase of an odd number of tickets to prevent mass reselling
If you get an error about exceeding the ticket limit, you will need to reduce the number of tickets in your order to continue. Limits are set per event, so you may be able to purchase more tickets for a different show.
What to do if your Ticketmaster payment won’t process
If you continue having issues processing your Ticketmaster order, here are some steps to take:
- Contact your bank/credit card company – Let them know you are attempting to make a large online purchase and see if there are any blocks or holds on your account.
- Try a different payment method – Switch to a different credit card or payment provider and see if it goes through.
- Use a different device – Try completing the purchase on your mobile device, on a computer instead of mobile, or vice versa.
- Contact Ticketmaster support – Explain the issue and see if they can resolve it on their end or provide any insight.
- Clear cookies and cache – Wipe out old cookies and browsing data then attempt the purchase again.
- Try again later – Sometimes waiting a while and trying again later resolves temporary glitches.
In most cases, payment issues on Ticketmaster can be resolved quickly once you identify the specific problem. With high demand events, having a backup payment method and being ready at the exact on-sale time can also help ensure your transaction goes through smoothly.
Why do I have to verify my account with Ticketmaster?
Ticketmaster requires account verification for new users as an anti-fraud measure before allowing large ticket purchases. This helps prevent unauthorized access and ensure tickets get into the hands of genuine fans.
Some key reasons Ticketmaster requires ID verification include:
- Prevent ticket brokering/scalping – Stops resellers from quickly scooping up tickets.
- Limit ticket purchases – Enforces ticket limits per household or customer.
- Confirm customer identity – Makes sure the purchaser matches account details.
- Security for customers – Helps prevent fraud on fan’s credit cards or Ticketmaster accounts.
The verification process generally involves providing personal information like your name, address, and payment details that matches the Ticketmaster account. An email, text message, or call with a verification code completes the validation process.
New account verification
Ticketmaster will automatically flag brand new accounts attempting to make large ticket purchases for ID verification. This means you cannot immediately buy tickets with a brand new account.
You will have to create your Ticketmaster account first, provide requested identity information, then complete verification before proceeding with your ticket transaction. It adds steps, but enhances security.
Existing account verification
Even existing Ticketmaster accounts may periodically require re-verification if you are attempting high-demand purchases. This prevents customers from acquiring and fraudulently using accounts.
If your account was already verified but you get prompted again, simply go through the verification process again. Keeping your account details like name, address, and payment method updated can help avoid sporadic re-verification.
Tips for a smooth Ticketmaster verification process
Here are some tips to help your Ticketmaster ID verification process go smoothly so you can quickly get back to booking tickets:
- Create your account early – Give yourself time to verify your account long before tickets go on sale.
- Double check info entered – Ensure all account and personal details entered are completely accurate.
- Have ID ready – Know where your government ID, credit card, and other identity documents are.
- Ensure name consistency – Use the same exact full name on your Ticketmaster account and ID documents.
- Provide multiple contact options – Give both your mobile number and email for verification code delivery.
- Check spam folders – Verification emails sometimes get flagged as spam so check thoroughly.
- Enter codes quickly – Input verification codes on Ticketmaster fast before they expire.
With upfront preparation and ensuring you enter accurate details, the ID verification process typically only adds a few minutes to your ticket buying experience. The added security gives peace of mind that tickets end up in the hands of real fans.
How long does Ticketmaster ID verification take?
The Ticketmaster account verification process typically takes 5-10 minutes to complete as long as you are prepared with accurate personal information ready to submit.
Here is an overview of estimated times for each step:
- Entering personal info – 2-3 minutes to provide details like name, address, CC#, etc.
- Verification code delivery – Up to 2 minutes to receive via text or email.
- Code entry on Ticketmaster – 1 minute to input verification code.
- Processing – 1-2 minutes for Ticketmaster to verify details.
The exact timing can vary based on factors like your bank/credit card company verification steps. But in most cases, the Ticketmaster process takes just a few minutes from start to finish.
To save time, make sure to have any required identity documents, credit cards, and your phone handy when initiating the verification process.
Ticketmaster Verification Step | Estimated Time |
---|---|
Entering personal information | 2-3 minutes |
Verification code delivery | Up to 2 minutes |
Entering verification code | 1 minute |
Processing | 1-2 minutes |
Total estimated time | 5-10 minutes |
I’m not getting the Ticketmaster verification code – What should I do?
If you are not receiving the verification code from Ticketmaster to complete the account validation process, try the following troubleshooting tips:
- Make sure you entered a valid mobile number and email address on your Ticketmaster account. Triple check for accuracy.
- Check your spam folder – Sometimes verification codes get filtered as spam.
- Try resending the verification code – There should be a “resend code” option.
- Use an alternate email or number if possible – Try your work email or a friend’s mobile number.
- Contact Ticketmaster support – They may be able to assist with code issues.
- Switch verification method – Opt for email instead of text or vice versa.
- Check mobile carrier – Confirm with your phone carrier you can receive texts from short code numbers.
If you still aren’t receiving the verification message after trying these steps, you may have to reach out to Ticketmaster support directly via phone for assistance. Be prepared to provide identifying information so they can assist you.
Does Ticketmaster ID verification save your information?
Yes, Ticketmaster does save the personal and identity information entered during the verification process for your account. This allows them to re-verify an account periodically if needed.
According to Ticketmaster’s privacy policy, they may collect and store information like:
- Name
- Address
- Phone number
- Partial credit card number
- Payment information
- Government ID details
This information is kept on file and associated with your Ticketmaster account. However, Ticketmaster states they do keep all data safe and secure in compliance with strict data protection regulations.
You can request to have your personal information deleted by contacting Ticketmaster customer support. But this would likely restrict you from buying tickets requiring ID verification in the future.
Why Ticketmaster stores verification information
Ticketmaster maintains identity verification information primarily for the following reasons:
- Re-verify accounts periodically when needed for large purchases
- Sync with your identity for seamless future ticket purchases
- Adhere to “Know Your Customer” anti-fraud regulations
- Reduce steps needed for customers who have already verified
- Detect and prevent fraudulent account access
There are valid security purposes behind Ticketmaster retaining your information. However, they do also enable you to delete data associated with your account if preferred. You must contact customer service to initiate this process.
Is Ticketmaster’s ID verification process secure?
Yes, Ticketmaster uses industry standard encryption and security measures to keep all identity verification information safe and secure.
Some ways Ticketmaster secures data include:
- SSL encryption – Secures data in transit between you and Ticketmaster’s servers.
- PCI compliance – Meets payment card industry data security standards.
- Limited customer service access – Only specialized teams can access verification data.
- Account monitoring – Constantly checking for suspicious activity.
They also state customer data is stored encrypted in databases not accessible externally beyond their secure private network. You also have the ability to delete personal data from your account if preferred.
While no data practices are ever 100% foolproof, Ticketmaster does take proactive steps to keep customer identity information as safe and secure as possible.
Ticketmaster Security Measure | How It Protects Your Data |
---|---|
SSL Encryption | Encrypts data flowing between you and Ticketmaster servers |
PCI Compliance | Meets stringent payment card industry security standards |
Limited Customer Service Access | Only specialized staff can view verification info |
Constant Account Monitoring | Checks for unauthorized access attempts |
Conclusion
Ticketmaster’s account ID verification steps aim to strike a balance between security for fans and convenience during ticket purchases. While the extra measures can add some time, they help ensure real customers safely get tickets in high demand situations.
With some preparation like entering accurate personal details and verifying your identity ahead of sales, the process typically only adds a few minutes. The Ticketmaster website and app also save your information securely to simplify verification when buying tickets again in the future.
Understanding what to expect with the Ticketmaster identity verification process helps ensure you come prepared with all documentation needed. A few quick extra steps leads to reliable protection against fraud and greater assurance you’ll get those coveted tickets in your cart!