Looking for event tickets? Identify scams before handing over your money.

A packed show or competitive playoff game can make for a memorable time, but if you’re scrounging for tickets, be careful. Sold out and high-demand events like concerts, festivals, and professional sports can be prime targets for ticketing scams.

In some cases, a scammer may create counterfeit tickets, complete with forged barcodes and real company logos. At other times, a scammer might make copies of a legitimate ticket and sell it to multiple people. In either scenario, the ticket holder won’t know it’s a scam until their ticket is scanned at the gate and they are denied entry. Sometimes a seller will insist on upfront payment with a promise of putting tickets in the mail, but the tickets never arrive – and the seller disappears.

If tickets are being offered at a price that seems too good to be true, or if the seller is pressuring you to send money right away to seal the deal – those are warning signs of a potential scam.

How to Avoid Becoming a Victim of a Ticketing Scam

Buy only from trusted ticket vendors. When possible, purchase tickets directly from the venue. When buying online, purchase tickets from vendors you know and trust. Look for the lock symbol in the web address to indicate a secure purchasing system. You can verify their authenticity by looking them up on the Better Business Bureau or checking to see if they are a member of the National Association of Ticket Brokers.

Check the fine print. You should only purchase tickets from a seller that provides clear details about the terms of the transaction, including the location of the seats, how the tickets will be received, and what the refund policy is.

Use payment methods that come with protection. Be suspicious of sellers insisting on being paid through digital payment apps and keep in mind that certain payment types can’t be refunded (such as person-to-person payments). A credit card is usually the best payment method for event tickets because many credit card companies offer built-in buyer protection for cardholders. Always check the terms and conditions of your credit card to see what protections you have before purchasing.

Be wary of promotions. When you search the web for online tickets, advertisements for inexpensive tickets will often appear. Some of these ads will be ticket scams, especially if the prices are inexplicably low.

If you’re unsure, verify your tickets. Pay a visit to the venue where the event will be held. Present your ticket at Will Call or customer service, and have them verify if your ticket is legitimate.

When it comes to ticketing scams, remember to slow down and ask questions. If you detect suspicious activity, report the seller to your online marketplace or ticketing platform.

At First Financial, our goal is to help protect our members from scams and identity theft. If you have any concerns or questions about any of your First Financial accounts, please call member services at 732.312.1500 or visit one of our branches.

To learn more about scams and ways to protect yourself, visit zellepay.com/pay-it-safe.

Zelle and the Zelle related marks are wholly owned by Early Warning Services, LLC and are used herein under license.