People falling for ticket scams are losing £150 on average – with Gen-Z adults particularly likely to be targeted, a bank is warning.
Barclays said that August can be one of the strongest months of the year for reports of purchase scams.
One in six (17%) Gen-Z adults aged 18 to 27 said they had been caught out or coerced into paying for tickets that did not exist, slightly higher than Millennials (aged 28-43), at 16%, according to the Barclays Scams Bulletin.
Gen-Z adults are also the most likely to know someone who has either fallen victim to or been targeted by a scam, at 23% compared with 19% for Millennials and 14% across all age groups across the UK.
The bank’s own scam claims data indicates that the peak months for purchase scams last year were April, closely followed by August.
As fans seek out tickets for upcoming events, often through resellers, more than two-fifths (42%) of people surveyed said they feel more worried about falling victim to a scam than they did 12 months ago.
Tickets scams often originate on social media, the bank said.
Kirsty Adams, fraud and scams expert at Barclays, said scammers are “ready to cash in on the hype” around concerts such as the Oasis tour.
She said: “Whether it’s a once-in-a-lifetime concert or a sold-out summer sporting event, the rush to grab tickets can cloud judgment, which is why we’re urging fans to pause for thought before they part with their money to avoid falling victim to opportunistic summer scammers.
“Social media platforms and online marketplaces provide a hotbed for these scams to take place.”
Opinium surveyed 2,000 people in June and Barclays also used some of its own data on scams for the research.
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Here are Ms Adams’s “safe” tips for buying tickets:
S – Stop and research
Do your due diligence. Take a moment to check the website, read reviews, and confirm if tickets can be transferred or resold. Just a couple of minutes of research can prevent days of regret.
A – Ask someone you trust
Get a second opinion before buying. Speak to a friend or family member who might know the seller or website and see if it sounds legitimate to them.
F – Flag unrealistic deals
Be wary of unlikely offers. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Question why the seller is offering such a discount and whether they are asking for unusual payment methods.
E – Ensure secure payment
Always use a credit card or another secure payment method. This gives you added protection if something goes wrong with your purchase.
