Ticket scams on social media: how fake ticket sellers get your money
Quick answer
A stranger or account selling tickets on social media who wants a bank transfer is a red flag. UK government figures show almost half of gig ticket fraud reports involved social media offers. Buy only from official sellers and pay by credit card.
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How it works
The UK government reports that the amount lost to ticket fraud more than doubled to £1.6m in 2024, and almost half of roughly 3,700 gig ticket fraud reports involved offers on social media.
In football ticket scams, most start on Facebook or Instagram. The seller then moves you to WhatsApp and insists on a bank transfer. Once you've paid, they block you.
Unsolicited ticket offers and bank transfer requests are the key warning signs. Offers that seem too good to be true usually are.
Red flags
- An unsolicited ticket offer on social media
- A seller who moves you to WhatsApp
- A demand for a bank transfer
- A price that seems too good to be true
- A seller who pushes you to hurry
- A seller who blocks you after you pay
Example message
Got 2 spare tickets for Saturday, can't go anymore. Face value, but you need to pay by bank transfer now before someone else takes them. Message me on WhatsApp: [phone number]
What to do
- 1
Buy only from official sellers
Use the venue, promoter or official ticketing site.
- 2
Pay by credit card
Card payments offer better recovery options than bank transfer.
- 3
Don't pay by bank transfer to a stranger
Say no, and stop contact if they push.
- 4
If you paid, call your bank
Tell them straight away, and ask if the payment can be recalled.
- 5
Report it
Report to Action Fraud, and report the account to the platform.
Report it
Check if your details are exposed with Serus
Scammers find your number and address on data brokers and people-search sites. Serus removes them.
Why you got it
Scammers need a way to reach you, and names, phone numbers, email addresses and home addresses are easy to find on people-search sites and data broker listings or in old data breaches. The fewer places your details are listed, the fewer scammers can reach you with a message that looks personal. Serus finds the sites that list you and removes your data, and alerts you when your details show up in a breach.
Frequently asked
How much is lost to ticket fraud in the UK?
The UK government reports £1.6m lost to gig ticket scams in 2024, more than double the year before.
Why do ticket scammers want a bank transfer?
Card payments offer better recovery options, so scammers push for transfers.
Is it safe to buy tickets on social media?
Official sellers are safer. Unsolicited offers on social media are a key warning sign.
What should I do if I paid by bank transfer?
Call your bank straight away and ask if the payment can be recalled, then report it to Action Fraud.
Sources
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