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News August 11, 2017

Live Performance Australia releases guide on avoiding fake tickets scams

Live Performance Australia releases guide on avoiding fake tickets scams

In the wake of rising complaints from the public about being scammed when they buy concert tickets from unauthorised sellers, Live Performance Australia has released a guide on how to avoid being scammed.

Live Performance Australia represents the live performance sector, including music, classical, opera, ballet, theatre and musical theatre.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s ScamWatch reported that online scams are costing Australians $300 million a year.

A record amount of scam reports were made to the ACCC last year, up 47% from 2015. These included online fake tickets to live entertainment events which are increasingly using more sophisticated technology.

The LPA’s Safe Tix Guide – Tips For Buying Tickets Safely And Securely offers tips on how patrons can protect themselves, and how to get their money back.

These include:

* Do your research and out who the ‘authorised’ ticket seller is, the event venue and when tickets go on sale officially.

* Avoid tickets on sale before the official date, they may be fake.

* Beware of websites that ‘appear’ to be authorised ticket sellers.

* Don’t trust search engines: They’re paid by scammers to put their sites on top of the search list.

* Sign up for alerts from artists’ mailing lists and social media accounts, as well as mailing lists for venues, festivals, promoters and authorised ticket sellers.

* Get organised by creating 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 if a sold out message pops up . More tickets might go on sale.

* Check the ticket you’re buying to ensure it’s got the seat number, and any conditions as restricted view or age limit. Those sold by authorised tickets sellers and resellers will have them.

* Read the terms and conditions: If you’re buying from a ticket reseller, how do you get a refund if something goes wrong? Resold tickets are usually cancelled by the promoter or authorised ticket seller.

* Pay by credit or debit card: It provides more protection if something goes wrong. Don’t transfer cash into the reseller’s bank account. Get a receipt for your transaction.

* Know your rights for a refund or exchange: If you don’t buy from the authorised ticket seller your rights to a refund or exchange may be affected if the show is postponed or cancelled.

* Contact the ticket resale website if you receive fake tickets or don’t receive your tickets purchased through a ticket resale website. You may receive a refund under their ‘Guarantees’.

All resale websites should provide a customer complaints channel including an Australian phone number and email address.

* Request a chargeback. If you don’t have any luck with the ticket resale website and have purchased your tickets using a card, contact your bank and request a chargeback. You may get your money back.

* Report fake tickets to the police and/or consumer protection agency in your state or territory

LPA Chief Executive Evelyn Richardson said “Public information is key to ensuring consumers don’t get misled or ripped off.

“A key message to all fans is buy from the ‘authorised seller’ for the event you want to attend.

“We’re increasingly hearing from consumers buying from resale sites and paying way above the face value of the ticket not knowing that they could still buy tickets through the authorised seller or that they got to the venue only to find out the ticket they bought was fake.

“It’s time consumers were armed with the facts about online ticket sales because informed buyers can protect themselves from being ripped off.

“It really is ‘buyer beware’ and fans need to take some simple steps to ensure they know what they’re buying.”

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