SCAM AWARENESSCounterfeit ticket sales
Counterfeit ticket scams sell fake, copied, or nonexistent tickets to concerts, games, and shows. The seller is often a stranger on social media or an online marketplace who has tickets to a sold-out event. You usually find out it was a scam at the gate, when your ticket will not scan or someone else has already used it.
How this scam works
Scammers watch for big events that sell out fast. They post in fan groups and classified ads, or reply when you post that you need tickets. Some build fake ticket websites. They often show a screenshot of tickets, which is easy to fake, along with a story about why they cannot go.
Once you are interested, they push you to pay quickly before "someone else grabs them." They ask for a payment app, wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency, because these are hard to reverse. After payment, they send a fake PDF, a screenshot, or nothing at all. Sometimes they sell the same real ticket to many people, so only the first person in gets through.
What it can look like
EXAMPLE · NOT A REAL MESSAGEText from a stranger: "Saw your post! I have 2 floor seats for Saturday's show, can't go anymore. $150 each. Lots of people asking so I need payment now through a payment app, friends and family option. I'll email the tickets right after."
Warning signs
- Tickets to a sold-out event at a price that seems too good
- A stranger on social media replies to your post offering tickets
- Pressure to pay right now because others are interested
- Requests for payment app "friends and family," wire, gift cards, or crypto
- Seller sends only a screenshot or photo of the tickets
- Seller refuses to use a ticket transfer through the official ticketing app
How to protect yourself
- Buy from the venue's box office, the event's official ticket seller, or a well-known resale site with a buyer guarantee.
- Pay with a credit card, which usually gives you more ways to dispute a charge.
- Never pay strangers with gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or payment app "friends and family" options.
- Ask for the ticket to be transferred through the official ticketing app, and confirm it shows in your account before paying.
- Type ticket website addresses yourself instead of clicking ads or links in messages.
If you already responded
- Contact your credit card company or bank right away and ask to dispute the charge.
- If you used a payment app, report the payment as fraud in the app and contact its support team.
- Check with the venue or official ticket seller whether your tickets are valid before the event.
- Save screenshots of the listing, messages, payment receipts, and the seller's profile.
- File a report with the FTC and, for online purchases, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
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Where to report it
Common questions
How can I tell if a ticket is fake?
Fake tickets can look just like real ones. The safest check is to have the ticket transferred to you in the official ticketing app so it appears in your own account, or to ask the venue. Be cautious with screenshots, PDFs, or paper tickets from strangers.
Is it safe to buy tickets from someone on social media?
It is risky. Many fake ticket offers come through social media posts, fan groups, and direct messages, and accounts can be hacked or newly made. If you buy from a person, use the official ticket transfer feature and a payment method with fraud protection.
Can I get my money back after buying fake tickets?
It depends on how you paid. Credit card disputes and resale site guarantees may help. Money sent by wire, gift card, cryptocurrency, or some payment app options is very hard to recover. Contact your payment provider quickly, and never pay anyone who offers to recover money for a fee.