How to buy online tickets safely
Look for padlock in web address.
With social media and ticketing websites, such as Ticketmaster, you can easily get passes to sports games, concerts, festivals and shows right at the tip of your fingers. But this convenience leaves room for scammers to sell fake tickets, pricegouge or never send the event pass to the buyer.
You can avoid running into killjoys and save your money by following these tips for safe ticket buying.
Use secure platforms
“Be careful of buying tickets on social media,” said Stephen Spiewak, a spokesperson for Vividseats, an online ticket marketplace. Instead, he recommends people shop on secure platforms to keep their personal information safe.
The Better Business Bureau advises people on their website to look out for the padlock in web addresses. This symbol indicates that the site has a secure purchasing system.
Find trusted websites
Spiewak said you should buy from trusted websites that stand behind their tickets.
For example, Ticketmaster promises buyers that “tickets transferred or resold to you are 100% verified and issued in your name so they can’t be counterfeited.” SeatGeek, Vividseats and StubHub also have buyer guarantee, which ensures consumers are getting legitimate tickets.
According to the bureau, you can look up the seller on bbb. org and find reviews from other customers. You can also check to see if the company is a member of the National Association of Ticket Brokers.
Additionally, the agency suggested on their website, that people purchase tickets directly from the venue, if possible.
Pay with a credit card
The bureau also advises people to purchase tickets using methods that come with protection, such as credit cards. “Debit cards, wire transfer or cash transactions are risky,” they wrote on their website. “If the tickets are fraudulent, you won’t be able to get your money back.”
Check the seller’s profile
If you must buy your ticket on social media, make sure to scope out the seller’s online presence before sending over any payments. Eventbrite, an event and ticketing platform, wrote on their blog that you should be “wary” of people who don’t have a profile picture or have a blank profile.
Some red flags that the company listed as signs of a fake profile include lack of biographical information, such as where they are from or where they work. They also added that sellers participating in ticket scams may also appear pushy.
Be careful with what you share
Safety measures still need to be taken once you’ve purchased your tickets online. Spiewak said you should refrain from posting photos of your tickets on social media because they can be copied.