Tips to avoid being scammed…
Ahead of big tours such as Oasis, Lady Gaga and Coldplay, searches relating to ticket scams are up more than 5000%*. And while millions of tickets are sold yearly without a hitch, a small percentage fall victim to scams.
SeatPick can reveal that since February 2024, £10.7 million has been reported in ticket fraud across the UK, and more than 10,500 cases were reported to Action Fraud. Which areas are falling victim to ticket scams, and where is the most fraud-cautious?
Analysing data from the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau across 49 police forces/constabularies, SeatPick can reveal which areas of the UK experience the most (and least) online ticket fraud cases. To protect fans from scams by only listing verified sellers, they also provide their top tips to safely buy tickets online.
The UK areas losing the most money in ticket scams
|
Police Force
|
Total Reports
|
Reports per 100,000 citizens
|
Reported Losses
|
Loss / Report
|
|
1
|
Suffolk
|
70
|
9
|
£435,000
|
£6,214.29
|
|
2
|
Leicestershire
|
146
|
15
|
£236,000
|
£1,616.44
|
|
3
|
South Yorkshire
|
156
|
12
|
£241,600
|
£1,548.72
|
|
4
|
West Mercia
|
112
|
9
|
£163,600
|
£1,460.71
|
|
5
|
Wiltshire
|
89
|
12
|
£126,000
|
£1,415.73
|
|
6
|
Surrey
|
214
|
18
|
£301,100
|
£1,407.01
|
|
7
|
Derbyshire
|
113
|
11
|
£153,200
|
£1,355.75
|
|
8
|
West Midlands
|
440
|
15
|
£559,000
|
£1,270.45
|
|
9
|
Metropolitan
|
2,389
|
27
|
£3,000,000
|
£1,255.76
|
|
10
|
Hampshire
|
292
|
15
|
£352,700
|
£1,207.88
|
When analysing the average amount lost per report, SeatPick discovered people from Suffolk (specifically, Ipswich, Lowestoft, Bury St Edmunds and Felixstowe) suffer the biggest financial losses from ticket scams. Victims lose an average of £6,214 per case, amounting to a total loss of £435,000 across 70 different reports over the past 13 months. With nine reports per 100,000 citizens, the area is a significant target.
Leicester residents are also vulnerable to ticket scams – from those watching Leicester City to Gary Barlow – victims report an average loss of £1,616. There are a large number of reports compared to the number of people in the area (15 reports per 100,000 people), making residents a prime target.
South Yorkshire (covering Barnsley, Sheffield, Doncaster and Rotherham) reports the third highest loss per case at £1,548. With the likes of Lionel Richie and Kylie performing in Sheffield this year, those in the area should be on high alert when purchasing tickets from untrustworthy sources. Instead, fans should use reputable platforms with buyer protections which offer a safe and reliable way to buy tickets.
The UK areas with the fewest ticket scam reports
|
Police Force
|
Total Reports
|
Reported Losses
|
Loss / Report
|
Reports per 100,000 citizens
|
|
1
|
Isle of Man
|
2
|
£583
|
£291.50
|
2
|
|
2
|
Scotland
|
280
|
£96,800
|
£345.71
|
5
|
|
3
|
Jersey
|
6
|
£4,700
|
£783.33
|
6
|
|
4
|
Lincolnshire
|
60
|
£52,400
|
£873.33
|
8
|
|
5
|
Durham
|
52
|
£34,800
|
£669.23
|
8
|
|
6
|
North Yorkshire
|
69
|
£61,800
|
£895.65
|
8
|
|
7
|
Suffolk
|
70
|
£435,000
|
£6214.29
|
9
|
|
8
|
Guernsey
|
6
|
£3,200
|
£533.33
|
9
|
|
9
|
West Mercia
|
112
|
£163,600
|
£1,460.71
|
9
|
|
10
|
Dorset
|
74
|
£40,100
|
£541.89
|
9
|
While trusted resale platforms have policies to protect buyers, purchasing outside of these can leave buyers vulnerable. SeatPick has provided their top tips to prevent being scammed.
1. Only purchase from sellers you know and trust
Although it might be tempting to purchase a ticket elsewhere if you weren’t successful on the day, be wary of who you’re buying from and do your research beforehand. Never allow someone to send you a screenshot of a ticket, as these are invalid, or send payment before receiving the tickets. If something looks too good to be true, it probably is.
2. Be cautious with social media
Social media is filled with various hacks and tips for getting tickets, but it can’t always be trusted. Scammers can easily create fake ads with pictures of real tickets (which they don’t actually have). Always ensure you’re accessing ticket sites through your search engine or official emails from legitimate ticket providers. While it may be tempting to click on something shared on social media, there’s no guarantee it is the official site, and scammers often use social media to target fans.
3. Opt for debit or credit card payments instead of bank transfers
Bank transfers provide minimal protection if issues arise. Using a credit or debit card offers better safeguards through Section 75 and Chargeback rules, which allow you to potentially recover your money if an item is broken, faulty, or fails to arrive.
PayPal is also a safer choice, but watch out for fake emails claiming that money has been deposited into your account. Always verify your account balance independently. When using PayPal, select ‘Paying for an item or service’ to ensure you are covered by PayPal’s Purchase Protection.
