Ticket scams on the rise

28 June 2023

With the return of headline acts to Australia, we know when high-demand tickets go on sale, purchasers can become prime targets for scammers.  

Here are some things to remember when buying tickets:

• Be prepared and do some research – find out who the authorised ticket seller is.
• Get organised – create an account with the authorised ticket seller and check when the tickets go on sale so you’re ready.
• Remember: Tickets purchased from unauthorised resellers like Viagogo, Tixel and The Ticket Merchant are considered fraudulent according to official ticket sellers and will likely not grant you access to the show.
• Do not purchase tickets being sold at heavily marked up prices – this is also a red flag
• Tickets listed for sale on online marketplaces such as Facebook or Gumtree are often non-existent, or fraudulently sold to multiple people at the same
• Find out your rights for a refund or exchange. If you don’t buy from an authorised ticket seller your rights to a refund or exchange may be affected if the show is postponed or cancelled.
• Report fake tickets to the the police and/or consumer protection agency in your state or territory:
  • QLD Office of Fair Trading
  • NSW Fair Trading 
  • SA Office of Consumer and Business Services 
  • Consumer Affairs Victoria 
  • WA Consumer Protection
  • SA Office of Consumer and Business Services 
  • Tasmanian Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading
  • Access ACT 
  • NT Consumer Affairs 

If you have been a victim of a scam or had a problem with your purchase, you can contact the ACCC or visit Scamwatch to report scam to help protect others. 

More online security tips from Heritage are available here.