North Wales Police and PCC warn residents over summer ticket scams
North Wales Police, the Police and Crime Commissioner and online safety service Get Safe Online have joined forces to warn residents about the risk of ticket scams ahead of the summer events season.
The campaign follows figures cited by Get Safe Online suggesting 42 per cent of UK consumers have used social media to buy tickets, with one in eight of those reporting they were scammed.
Nick Hawe, Get Safe Online’s ticket expert, said: “When fans can’t get tickets through mainstream platforms, they don’t stop looking.
“They turn to social media and informal marketplaces where protections are minimal and scams are rife.”
He said: “In an online ticket scam, the seller tells you they’ll send you the tickets as soon as you’ve transferred the money to their bank account.
“But when you haven’t received them and you try to chase the seller, the phone just rings and your messages aren’t returned.
“This happens to thousands of music and sports fans in the UK every year.”
Get Safe Online advises buying only from official vendors, box offices or regulated ticket marketplaces, and says tickets advertised on social media, fan forums or auction sites carry a high chance of being fake regardless of how authentic the seller appears.
The service also warns against paying by bank transfer, recommending credit card payments for additional protection, and advises checking that any website is secure before completing a purchase.
A full list of tips is available at getsafeonline.org/safeticketbuyertools.
Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin said: “As Police and Crime Commissioner, I know how important live events are to people across North Wales, but criminals are increasingly exploiting that demand to scam fans out of their hard-earned money.
“That’s why we’re working with Get Safe Online to make sure people have the knowledge and confidence to buy tickets safely.
“A few simple checks can make all the difference in protecting yourself and your finances, so read the tips and bear them in mind next time you are tempted to buy tickets through social media.”
DC Rachel Roberts, Financial Abuse Safeguarding Officer at North Wales Police, said: “With summer approaching, the opportunity to attend a live event is an exciting prospect for many of us.
“But ticket scams can leave victims out of pocket and unable to attend events they were excited about, causing both financial loss and emotional distress.
“Don’t forget – these types of scams also extend to tickets for travel, so when purchasing tickets, it is important that you use a trusted and reputable company.”
Further advice is available at getsafeonline.org.
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