Weekly Fraud update from West Mercia Police - Economic Crime unit - 22/09/2026

Weekly Fraud update from West Mercia Police - Economic Crime unit - 22/09/2026

TICKET FRAUD

Recent research has shown that 11% of adults have encountered a ticket scam over the last 3 years, and the average loss from ticket scams was £215.

Whilst the highest levels of reporting have been in the months of June and July, the trend continues into the winter months so now is the time to be extra vigilant when purchasing tickets for indoor events, concerts and all the upcoming sporting fixtures.

You can rest assured that the criminals will use this opportunity to attempt to defraud the unsuspecting purchaser with “Too good to be true offers”. The use of AI by fraudsters makes ticket scams more difficult to spot online and within social media.

Criminals either set up fake websites, or social media profiles, to sell tickets for major events (such as sports, music or theatre) that are either fraudulent, or just do not exist.

Websites may even look like those of genuine organisations, but subtle changes in the URL can indicate that it is fraudulent. Criminals might also have used images of genuine tickets to commit fraud.

They may get in touch via text, email, or direct message to advertise fake tickets. They create fake posts, or pages on social media, to scam those looking for tickets.

You may be sent, or given, tickets only to be told they are fake when you arrive at the venue. You may also be told to collect them at the venue on the day from their “agent”, but that person never arrives.

Ways TO SPOT TICKET FRAUD

You see an offer for a ticket online, in an email or in a message.

You are offered tickets for a high-demand or sold-out event at a “too good to be true” price.

You are pressured to “Buy Now” – it’s a limited time offer

You’re asked to pay by bank transfer only, and not via the secure payment methods recommended by reputable online retailers.

You are told that a customer representative will be arranged to meet outside the venue.

You see a website that looks similar to that of a genuine organisation but there are subtle changes to the URL.

HOW CAN YOU PROTECT YOURSELF?

Only buy tickets from the venue’s box office, official promoter or agent, or a well-known ticketing website.

Avoid paying for tickets by bank transfer, especially if buying from someone unknown. Using a credit card gives you a better chance of recovering the money if you become a victim of fraud.

The password you use for your email account, as well as any other accounts you use to purchase tickets, should be different from all your other passwords. Use three random words to create a strong and memorable password and enable 2-step verification (2SV).

Be wary of unsolicited emails, texts or adverts offering unbelievably good deals on tickets.

Is the vendor a member of STAR? If they are, the company has signed up to their strict governing standards. STAR also offers an approved Alternative Dispute Resolution service to help customers with outstanding complaints. For more information visit star.org.uk/buy_safe.

Please feel free to share these messages with any vulnerable friends, relatives, or neighbours

If you have fallen for a fraud,

Report it to Report Fraud (formerly known as ACTION FRAUD) on 0300 123 2040 or via www.reportfraud.police.uk

Scam Text messages can be forwarded to 7726 to help phone providers take prompt action and block numbers that generate spam on their networks. You can also report Scam mobile calls by texting 7726 with the word “Call” followed by the fraudulent caller’s phone number.

Forward Fake Emails received to report@phishing.gov.uk

If you think your bank account or personal banking details have been used fraudulently, then use the short phone number - 159 - to contact the Fraud Prevention Department of most major

UK banks.

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Message Sent By
Michael Barbour
(Police, PSV, Economic Crime Unit – Fraud Protect’)