Live Performance Australia launches social video to help online ticket buyers avoid scams

The live industry’s peak trade body Live Performance Australia has launched a social video to warn music fans about. the potential dangers of buying tickets online.

“Online ticketing scams are a scourge for our industry, and LPA wants to make sure consumers are aware of the risks,’ said LPA chief executive Evelyn Richardson.

“There are rogue operators including some big name outfits based overseas who are ripping off our consumers, performers and producers.

“Better consumer education is an important part of the campaign to combat the problem.

“It’s also really important that anyone that buys fake tickets reports them to their local office of fair trading or consumer affairs.”

In addition to industry-led consumer awareness campaigns, LPA is also working with government at the state and federal level to improve consumer protection regulations.

“Cracking down on the ticket resale scammers requires a comprehensive and coordinated approach from government and industry,” Richardson emphasised.

The video is a companion to the LPA Safe Tix Guide and Consumer Guide: Buying and Selling Tickets in the Ticket Resale Market.

It includes straightforward tips on how to avoid getting ripped off online, and viewed here.

These include:

* Do your research. Find out who the ‘authorised’ ticket seller is, the venue and official on sale date for tickets.

“If you see tickets on sale before the official date, don’t buy them as they may be fake.”

* Don’t trust search engines.. Resellers often pay to be placed on top of the search list, so being listed at top spot does not mean it’s the authorised ticket seller.

* Protect yourself by signing up to alerts from artists mailing lists and social media accounts, as well as mailing lists forvenues, festivals, event promoters and authorised ticket sellers.

“This is how you can find out about upcoming events, pre-sale details and other important event information.”

* Get organised. “Create an online account with the authorised ticket seller and make sure you’re logged in so you are ready to go when tickets go on sale.”

* Don’t panic. For high demand shows you might be placed in an online queue; be patient.

“If a ‘sold out’ message pops up, don’t panic – additional dates or seats may become available. So keep checking.”

* Check the ticket you’re buying for seat positions and no restricted view, and any special conditions.

This is required information, so if they are not there, they are not from an authorised seller or reseller.

* Always read the terms and conditions when buying from a ticket reseller, how do you get a refund if something goes wrong?

* Pay by credit card, they offer more protection.

The LPA social video comes in the wake of a summer of major events when reseller ticket pricing and scams made headlines.

A 33-year-old Brisbane man was arrested last Friday and has to face court in early April, to face charges of a scam involving Ed Sheeran tickets for his two Suncorp Stadium shows this week.

The Crown will allege that he offered women aged 40 to 55 years old from Brisbane and the Gold Coast area the chance to get tickets through an online ticketing platform.

However when the money was paid, tickets were allegedly not forthcoming.

New Zealand authorities are investigating the activities of the Swiss-based Viagogo platform after 70 customers who paid for tickets for Bruno Mars’ Auckland shows arrived at the venue to find they were not valid.

The Commerce Commission says it has received 200 complaints about Viagogo – 21 of these in one weekend. over shows by Mars, Sheeran, Celine Dion and Shania Twain.

But the government admits it is still taking legal advice on what can be done about a company that has no physical presence on New Zealand soil.