Taylor Swift’s highly anticipated Eras tour is set to arrive in Australia later this month, with sold-out shows in Sydney and Melbourne. However, with a large number of fans unable to secure tickets, fraudsters are taking advantage of the situation. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has already reported over A$135,000 lost to ticket fraud for the Swift concerts, and the actual losses are expected to be even higher.
Ticket fraud has become a significant problem in recent years due to the shift towards electronic ticketing. Scammers have adapted their techniques to sell non-existent tickets through social media platforms and create fake websites that deceive unsuspecting victims. Additionally, hackers are targeting the accounts of legitimate ticket holders to steal and resell tickets.
To protect yourself when buying or selling Eras tickets or keeping your Ticketek account safe, there are several precautions you can take. Firstly, only purchase tickets through the authorized seller website, Ticketek Marketplace. Avoid buying tickets on social media platforms like Facebook, as there is no guarantee of their authenticity or the seller’s legitimacy. Never provide payment details outside of Ticketek and avoid cash transfers to sellers.
It is crucial to have strong passwords for all your accounts and enable two-factor authentication where possible. Using a credit card for transactions provides added protection and the ability to dispute charges if needed. Take screenshots of all communications and transactions when purchasing tickets online to aid in reporting incidents. Always confirm offers or requests for funds in person or over the phone with known contacts, as their accounts may have been hacked.
If you suspect you have fallen victim to ticket fraud, contact your bank or financial institution immediately. Report the incident to the platform through which you made the transaction and consider reporting any financial losses to ReportCyber and Scamwatch. If you need assistance with identity compromise, reach out to iDcare for support.