Irish concert-goers have a lot to look forward to this summer.
With upcoming concerts such as Taylor Swift, Coldplay and Niall Horan, as well as a ton of music festivals on the way, now is the best time to be aware of fraud and ticket scams, so that you can let loose and know that your bank account is safe.
Lucky for you, we’ve got some tips on what to look out for and how to deal with ticket scams, so you can avoid a Cruel Summer!
What To Look Out For
- One of the most important things to be wary of are deals that seem too good to be true. Scammers will often attract consumers by promising tickets to sold out concerts at very low prices. Although that sounds very appealing, these offers are more than likely a scam.
- Ticket scammers will usually request a direct bank transfer as a payment, which you should take as a sign of a scam. They will also often pressure you to send the money as quickly as possible, without offering any proof that you will receive your ticket. It’s so important to only use reputable sites when buying concert tickets.
- Be mindful if you see adverts or direct messages offering tickets on social media platforms. Reputable ticket websites are the safest way to buy tickets, and it is advised to avoid buying them through social media, as fraudsters can pay social media companies to have their ads shown to you.
It’s ok to get excited when you finally find a ticket to see your favourite artist, but the most important thing is to think about it before you spend any money.
Nicola Sadlier, Head of Fraud at Bank of Ireland, says: “At times like this, fraudsters are hoping your heart will overrule your head. They are counting on people being so keen to get to see their favourite artist play that they ignore the warning signs and take a chance on the offer of a ticket even if it sounds too good to be true. Never, ever take that chance.”
What To Do
- If you find yourself the victim of a scam, you need to contact your bank immediately. They will then take action to try and stop the fraud in progress and/or potentially recover funds.
- Most bank apps will provide card control features, giving you the ability to freeze your card from your phone if you think your card details have been compromised.
There’s nothing better than a summer jam-packed with concerts and festivals, especially when you have the peace of mind knowing all your tickets are legit and you don’t have to worry about scams.
Anyone can fall victim to fraudsters, but you can do yourself the favour of learning what to look out for and staying wary on the internet. Now go have fun!
Words by Aicha Chalouche
