Don’t let ticket scammers ruin your summer

The British summer is well-known for a packed itinerary of great music festivals and sporting fixtures which many of us like to part-take in, whether with family, friends or in a more corporate setting with clients and colleagues.  Yet, we’re not the only ones enjoying these events, so are cyber criminals looing to cash in on eager fans.

As highlighted by Action Fraud, ticket fraud is on the rise, with criminals targeting people looking for last-minute or sold-out event tickets.

In 2024 alone, over £9.7 million was lost to ticket scams—a 47% increase on the previous year. The number of reports also rose by 11%, with nearly 10,000 cases of ticket fraud reported to Action Fraud between January and December. And with June and July historically being peak months for these scams, now is the time for individuals and businesses alike—particularly those buying tickets for staff, clients, or corporate events—to stay vigilant.

What Does Ticket Fraud Look Like?

Criminals typically pose as sellers on social media, online marketplaces, or via unsolicited emails or texts, offering tickets for high-demand events such as music festivals, major concerts, or sporting fixtures. In many cases, these tickets either never arrive or turn out to be completely fake.

Concerts are the most commonly mentioned event type in these scams, accounting for 38% of reports, followed by travel (23%) and sporting events (16%).

Often, the scam involves:

• Fake tickets being offered at "too good to miss" prices

• Requests for payment via bank transfer (a major red flag)

• Impersonation of trusted resellers or event platforms

• Poor-quality digital tickets or screenshots as “proof”

• Communication from personal email accounts or unverified sellers

  
  

Top Tips to Stay Safe from Ticket Fraud

If you're buying tickets this summer—whether for yourself, your family, or your business—here’s how you can protect yourself:

1. Only buy from official sources

Purchase tickets directly from the venue box office, a well-known ticketing website, or an authorised agent or promoter. To check whether a seller is legitimate, look for the STAR (Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers) logo. STAR members follow a strict code of practice and provide access to a dispute resolution service.

2. Avoid bank transfers

Paying by credit card gives you added protection under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, which can help you recover your money if the transaction turns out to be fraudulent. Bank transfers, on the other hand, offer little recourse.

3. Don’t trust unsolicited offers

Be cautious of unexpected messages on social media, email, or messaging platforms offering cheap or last-minute tickets. If it seems too good to be true—it usually is.

4. Secure your accounts

Make sure your email and online shopping accounts are protected with strong, unique passwords (using three random words) and 2-step verification. If fraudsters gain access to your accounts, they may be able to exploit saved payment information or impersonate you to scam others.

5. Spot the signs of a scam

Look out for sellers who:

• Refuse to speak via phone or video

• Pressure you to act quickly or “miss out”

• Don’t provide clear contact details

• Use unprofessional email addresses or communicate in poor English

• Can’t verify their link to the event or ticket seller

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6. Verify before you buy

Before committing to any purchase, do a quick background check. Is the seller a STAR member? Are there verified reviews online? Can you contact the venue to confirm that the ticket type exists? Taking five minutes to check could save you hundreds of pounds.

Why this matters for businesses

Many SMEs treat their teams, clients, or partners to concert or event tickets as part of seasonal perks or corporate hospitality. However, falling victim to ticket fraud not only results in financial loss but can also damage your business’s reputation and staff morale.

If your organisation is planning any event attendance this summer, always purchase through verified channels, and ensure your team is aware of how ticket fraud operates—especially if they’re sourcing tickets for the business.

Reporting Suspicious Activity

If you suspect a scam, don’t ignore it. You can:

• Report suspicious emails to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS) via report@phishing.gov.uk

• Report fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040

If you’d like to receive information on cyber security guidance, tips and tools on how to keep your small business safer from online business crime, sign up to the WCRC’s free membership programme.