Shop online safely

Ticket scams

The chance to buy cheap tickets might sound good. But there are lots of fake ticket sites, so keep an eye out for scams.

What to look out for:

• Bad reviews - Lots of good reviews from different buyers are better than mixed, bad or no reviews at all.
• Amazing prices - Fraudsters may offer tickets at low prices. If a price is a lot lower than other online sellers, it might be a scam.
• Odd ways of paying - A fake site may ask you to pay by direct bank or wire transfer. These are hard to trace. If things go wrong, you may not get your money back.

What you can do:

• Use a well-known ticket site - It’s safer to buy from a good ticket company that is registered with STAR than through social media or a trading website.
• Pay on the site - Genuine ticket sites have safe ways to pay. So don't pay away from the site.
• Check a site's terms and conditions - Make sure you know how a site can help you if things go wrong.
• Choose a safe way to pay - When you pay on a site use a normal method, like your debit or credit card. Be careful if you pay another way.

Previous topic: Holiday scams

Buyer Beware

• Read all the details - Read all the details about what you’re buying before you pay for it. Does the description match the title and picture?
• Be careful of free trials - If you agree to a free trial, check to make sure that you don't have to pay for it later on. Look for the terms that may be hidden in the small print.
• Check the small print - Terms and conditions can be found in the small print. They should tell you about any hidden costs, as well as delivery and returns information.
• Know where you're buying from - Check the location of the seller you're buying from, especially if they're not well-known. It's easier to complain and get your money back from companies that are based in the UK and EU.
• Search for FAQs - Most online shops have a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page. This can help you quickly find key information.
• Keep track of what you buy - Check your bank account often to make sure there are no unknown payments.