Concert Ticket Scam UK: How to Spot and Avoid Fake Ticket Sites
Thousands of UK concert-goers lose money every year to fake ticket sellers. Here's how to spot the scam before you buy.
What is this scam?
Concert ticket scams involve fraudsters posing as legitimate ticket sellers or resellers, usually operating through social media, classified ads, messaging apps, or fake websites. They advertise tickets for popular concerts—often sold-out events or high-demand artists—at discounted prices or claim to have last-minute availability. Once you pay, either nothing happens and the scammer disappears, or you receive fake, invalid, or duplicate tickets that are rejected at the venue. The scammer may use official-looking websites that mimic real ticketing platforms like Ticketmaster, See Tickets, or Eventim.
Some target fans through Instagram direct messages or Facebook Marketplace, building false trust before requesting payment via bank transfer, PayPal, or other untraceable methods. The financial loss can be substantial—victims often lose £50 to £500+ per ticket, and may only discover the fraud when they arrive at the venue.
Warning signs to look for
- The price is significantly below face value or lower than other resellers, with language like 'must sell quickly' or 'last minute deal'.
- The seller requests payment via bank transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency rather than secure ticketing platforms or protected payment methods.
- The website URL is slightly different from the official site—for example, 'ticketmasters.co.uk' or 'ticketmaster.eu' instead of 'ticketmaster.com'.
- The seller has no verifiable history, new social media account (created weeks ago), or no reviews from previous ticket sales.
- They refuse to use ticket platform resale systems like Ticketmaster's Fan-to-Fan exchange or StubHub, insisting on direct payment instead.
- The ticket details look amateurish: poor quality images, missing barcodes, or generic venue names rather than the specific concert details.
- They pressure you to 'act now' or claim other buyers are waiting, creating artificial urgency to stop you checking properly.
- They ask for personal information beyond what's needed (full address, ID, bank details) or request it before payment is confirmed.
How this scam works step by step
The scam typically begins when a fraudster creates a fake social media account or website mimicking a legitimate ticketing platform or reseller. They advertise desirable tickets—often for sold-out concerts by major artists—at reduced prices to attract victims. A potential buyer makes contact, and the scammer builds rapport quickly, perhaps sharing fake screenshots of their 'previous sales' or invented customer testimonials. Once interest is confirmed, the scammer requests payment via bank transfer, PayPal Friends & Family, or gift cards—methods that offer no buyer protection. They may ask the victim to pay in instalments or request additional fees for 'delivery' or 'verification'.
After payment is sent, communication becomes evasive. The scammer either disappears entirely, sends fake ticket files that won't scan at the venue, or sends tickets they've already sold to someone else. Some scammers may even send valid tickets initially to build trust, then vanish when the victim tries to buy more. By the time the victim discovers the fraud—often on the day of the concert—the money is gone and the scammer is unreachable. UK bank and payment systems can rarely recover the funds once transferred.
How to verify if it is genuine
Start by only buying tickets directly from official sources: Ticketmaster, See Tickets, Eventim, or the venue's own box office. If buying resale tickets, use only the official resale platforms these ticketing services provide—Ticketmaster's Fan-to-Fan, StubHub, or Twickets. Check the website URL carefully by typing it yourself rather than clicking links in messages or emails; verify it matches the official domain exactly. Call the official venue or ticketing company directly (use a number from their official website, not one provided by the seller) to confirm they recognise the reseller.
Look up the seller independently: check their social media history, read independent reviews, and see if they have a trading history beyond one week. For suspected phishing emails or websites, visit our guide on how to identify fake websites at Is This Website a Scam? A Practical Checklist Before You Buy. Never proceed if the seller insists on payment methods without buyer protection. Request proof of ticket ownership, such as a receipt or confirmation email from the official source, before sending any money. If the seller hesitates or refuses, treat this as a major red flag and walk away.
What to do if you have already interacted
If you've sent money but haven't received tickets, act immediately. First, contact your bank or payment provider within 48 hours to report the fraud and request a chargeback—explain clearly that you've been scammed and did not receive the goods. Many banks can recover funds if action is taken quickly, particularly for bank transfers. If you paid via PayPal, open a dispute immediately through their Resolution Centre; PayPal offers better buyer protection than Friends & Family transfers, though Friends & Family payments are harder to recover.
Screenshot all evidence of your communication with the scammer, including messages, payment confirmations, fake tickets, and any websites or social media accounts they used. Block the scammer's account and report them to the platform they used (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp) for fraud. If you received fake or invalid tickets, take photos of them and save them as evidence. Don't attempt to use the fake tickets at the venue, as this could complicate fraud investigation.
If the concert has not yet happened, contact the official ticketing platform and venue to see if they can issue replacement tickets—some venues will if you provide evidence of the fraud.
Reporting this scam in the UK
Report the fraud to Action Fraud immediately by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting actionfraud.police.uk. Provide all evidence: payment records, the scammer's contact details, website screenshots, and messaging logs. If you received suspicious emails claiming to be from a ticketing company, report the email address to the NCSC Suspicious Email Reporting Service at report@phishing.gov.uk. If the communication came via SMS or WhatsApp, forward SMS scams to 7726 (free). Report the fraudster's social media account to the platform directly—Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp all have fraud reporting tools.
Contact Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133 for additional support and advice on recovery options. If a significant sum was involved (over £500), consider reporting to the Police non-emergency line 101 or filing a report online at report.police.uk. Share details of the scam with your friends and family, and post warnings on local community Facebook groups or community noticeboards to prevent others from falling victim. Keep all documentation of your report in case your bank requests it for the chargeback investigation.
Frequently asked questions
Are all unknown ticket sellers scams, or can some be legitimate?
Not all independent resellers are scams—many are genuine fans reselling tickets they can't use. The key difference is legitimacy verification. Always use official resale platforms provided by Ticketmaster, See Tickets, or StubHub, which offer buyer protection. If someone insists on direct bank transfer outside these platforms, that's a major red flag. A legitimate reseller will have a verifiable history, positive reviews, and won't pressure you or avoid secure payment methods.
I've already sent money for concert tickets and the seller has disappeared. Can I get my money back?
Contact your bank or payment provider immediately—you have around 48 hours to request a chargeback for fraudulent transactions. If you paid via PayPal (not Friends & Family), open a dispute through their Resolution Centre. Report the fraud to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 and provide your bank with the reference number. Recovery depends on how quickly you act and your payment method; bank transfers and Friends & Family PayPal payments are hardest to recover, so act fast.
I received tickets from a reseller, but they don't scan at the venue. What should I do immediately?
Don't leave the venue. Contact the official ticketing company and venue box office immediately while you're there—explain you purchased through a reseller and the tickets are invalid. They may be able to issue emergency replacement tickets or refund you on the spot if they verify the fraud. Simultaneously, report the reseller to Action Fraud and request a chargeback from your bank. Keep the fake tickets as evidence. Follow up with your payment provider in writing within 48 hours to initiate a formal dispute.
How do I report a concert ticket scam in the UK?
Report immediately to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting actionfraud.police.uk. Report suspicious ticketing emails to the NCSC at report@phishing.gov.uk. If contacted via SMS, forward the message to 7726. Report the scammer's social media account directly to the platform. Also contact Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133 for guidance. File a report with your bank and start a chargeback claim simultaneously—don't wait for the Action Fraud outcome.