Fake events and tickets surprise festivalgoers
- Kim Thompson: Better Business Bureau
- July 12, 2021
- 1042
With COVID-19 restrictions easing up, many people are looking forward to fun festivals this summer. As usual scammers are finding ways to take advantage of the building excitement. This time they are cashing in with phony tickets and even fake events.
You see an amazing deal on tickets to a summer festival in your area, usually through a link on social media. The event promises live music, all-you-can-eat meals, craft beer or wine, or other fun activities.
When you click the social-media link, it takes you to a professional website with fantastic pictures. You enter your credit-card information to buy tickets, and you think you are all set. But before you buy, do a little research. Whether the event is non-existent, merely disappointing or you just bought phony tickets, the result is the same: Someone pockets your hard-earned money.
BBB Scam Tracker has received numerous reports from people who either purchased fake tickets to real events or bought tickets to events that never materialized.
One consumer who purchased tickets to a fake beer crawl reported, “Reviews across multiple platforms make it clear that these events are at best extremely misleading or at worst canceled. No refunds are given, even when their inconsistent and mostly unreachable customer-service email address responds to confirm a refund will be provided.”
Research before you buy. Search online for the name of the festival and make sure the name advertised matches the website. Scammers often use names that sound similar to those of real festivals.
Check for (working) contact information. Be sure the festival website has a real phone number and email address.
Watch out for prices that sound too good to be true. There is no way a festival can offer tickets at extremely low prices without losing money. If the prices are much lower than tickets are elsewhere, it's likely a scam.
Pay with a credit card. You can dispute the charges if the business doesn't come through. Be wary of online sellers that don’t accept credit cards.
Avoid tickets sold on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace and other free online listings. Scammers are skilled at providing realistic tickets and fake receipts. Check out third-party ticket sites at www.BBB.org before making purchases.
Read BBB’s tips for buying tickets to an event at www.bbb.org/article/tips/13986-bbb-tip-buying-tickets.
If you’ve spotted a scam (whether or not you’ve lost money), report it to www.BBB.org/ScamTracker. Your report can help others avoid falling victim to scams. Find more information about scams and how to avoid them at www.BBB.org/AvoidScams.
Visit www.bbb.org/canton or call 330-454-9401 to look up a business, file a complaint, write a customer review, read tips, find events, follow on social media and more.