FOX5 Investigates Scam of the Week: Don’t let fake concert tickets spoil the show

LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Las Vegas offers plenty of great shows, but scoring great seats could put you at risk for a rip-off unless you buy wisely.

Criminals find digital tickets almost as convenient as fans do. They can quickly and easily create convincing fakes. Then, all they have to do is post ads for them and wait for the offers to come in.

Sometimes sellers only send buyers a QR code that promises entry. But there’s no way to verify its authenticity until you’re at the gate.

How ticket scammers operate

Ticket scammers usually operate on social media platforms and in online marketplaces, like Craigslist. But some create clever imposter sites that look just like the real thing.

Unlike the real site, sellers will typically ask for payment through a peer-to-peer app like Zelle or Venmo, and they won’t accept credit cards. The buyer may get a counterfeit ticket — or the seller may disappear without sending them anything at all.

How to protect yourself

To avoid getting caught in this type of scam, only buy tickets from name-brand sellers. And make sure you verify the site’s legitimacy by double-checking its URL.

For sales from third parties, deal with sellers affiliated with the National Association of Ticket Brokers. It requires its members to follow a code of ethics. The NATB also provides 200 percent refunds for buyers who don’t get their tickets.

Limit person-to-person sales to just friends, family, and people you know personally. Also, reserve peer-to-peer payment methods for people you know.

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