If you’re one of the unlucky Swifties who missed the chance to buy tickets to her upcoming Era’s tour before they sold out, you might be tempted to look for them online from other sources. However, if you’re not careful this can turn into the wild west with more than a few False Gods out there.
If you do decide to jump online to find a ticket, here are a few tips to help you avoid joining the hundreds of Aussies who the ACCC says have already fallen victim to one of these scams.
How to avoid getting scammed buying tickets online
- Firstly, check the official website of the event or the artist – such as for Taylor’s Eras tour. Sometimes, they might release more tickets closer to the date or have a waiting list for cancellations so you might have a chance to grab an officially supplied ticket first. You can also sign up for their newsletters or follow them on social media to get updates on ticket availability.
- Use a reputable ticket resale platform. There are many websites and apps that allow people to resell their tickets to other fans, such as Ticketek for the Eras tour, or the likes of Ticketmaster, Tixel or ViaGoGo for others. These platforms usually have buyer protection policies that guarantee the authenticity of the tickets and offer refunds or replacements in the event of a problems. However, you should still read the terms and conditions carefully and check the reviews and ratings of the sellers before buying.
- Avoid buying tickets from strangers on social media, classified ads, or online forums. These are the most common places where scammers operate, offering fake or stolen tickets at low prices. They might ask you to pay in advance through a bank transfer or even through untraceable methods, such as gift cards, or cryptocurrencies, and then disappear with your money. They might also send you counterfeit tickets that will not work at the venue. If you decide to buy tickets from someone you don't know online, always use a secure payment method that allows you to dispute the transaction in case of fraud, such as a credit card with buyer fraud protections or through Apple Pay and Google Pay.
- Verify the details of the tickets before buying. Make sure that the tickets match the date, time, location, and seating of the event you want to attend. Also, check if the tickets have any restrictions, such as age limits, ID requirements, or resale prohibitions. Some events might use digital or mobile tickets that are linked to the original buyer's name and account, and cannot be transferred to someone else. If possible, ask for proof of purchase or a confirmation email from the original seller.
- Be realistic about the price. If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Tickets for popular events – especially those as popular as Taylor Swift’s Eras tour - that are sold out tend to have high demand and low supply, which means that they will be expensive. Don't expect to find cheap tickets online unless you are very lucky or flexible with your dates and seats. Be prepared to pay more than the face value of the tickets, but this shouldn’t be more than 10% of the original price thanks to Australian consumer laws.
