Be Aware of Concert Ticket Scams using P2P Payment

As the summer concert season heats up, so do concert ticket scams. Scammers are taking advantage of eager fans by selling fake or non-existent tickets, often through peer-to-peer (P2P) payment apps like Zelle, Venmo or Cash App.

Here are some red flags to watch out for when buying concert tickets online:

• The tickets are significantly cheaper than the face value.
• The seller is unwilling to meet in person to exchange tickets.
• The seller only accepts payment through a P2P app.
• The seller has a suspicious-looking website or social media profile.
• The seller asks for personal information, such as your credit card number or Social Security number.

If you see any of these red flags, it’s best to avoid the seller and look for tickets elsewhere. Here are some tips for buying concert tickets safely online:

• Only buy tickets from authorized sellers, such as the venue box office, Ticketmaster, or StubHub.
• Do your research on the seller before you buy tickets. Read reviews and look for social media profiles.
• Be sure to meet the seller in person to exchange tickets. This will give you a chance to inspect the tickets and make sure they’re real.
• Only pay for tickets with a credit card. This will give you more protection if you’re scammed.

If you do end up getting scammed, report it to the authorities and to the P2P payment app that you used. You may also be able to get a refund from your credit card company.

See Scam and Fraud Protection for 2023 for more information and make sure to Sign Up for our Scam Prevention Newsletter.