Scam Advice is ‘Just the Ticket’!
At the start of the music and festival season and as football fans travel to South Africa for the World Cup, Warwickshire County Council’s Trading Standards Service is advising ticket buyers to beware of scam ticketing websites.
In support of the Office of Fair Trading’s ‘Just Tick It’ campaign, Trading Standards Officers are advising consumers how they can avoid falling victim to ticketing scams and risk leaving them miles from home, out of pocket and with no way to get into the event.
Warwickshire County Councillor Richard Hobbs, Portfolio Holder for Community Protection said: “Official figures tell us that one in twelve British ticket buyers is caught out every year by scam ticket websites where tickets do not arrive or are fake, with an average loss of £80 per person.
"We are taking this opportunity to support this national campaign and provide Warwickshire consumers with helpful advice to protect them when they buy tickets for music and sport occasions.”
The Just Tick It campaign is urging everyone to tick off the following checklist before buying tickets online from a website:
1. How has the website got the tickets to sell? Check with the event to find out when tickets are being released for sale and when the tickets will be sent out.
2. What are others saying about the website? Search the internet to find out what other people’s experiences have been. If in another language, use a search engine’s translation service so that you can understand the content.
3. How can you contact the company? Check that you know its full geographic address and check it has a working landline phone number.
4. Can they provide ticket details? Ensure that the face value of the tickets and the seat location/festival area are clearly listed.
5. Do they provide refunds? Make sure there is a refund policy in case something goes wrong.
6. Pay for your tickets with a credit card. Under the Consumer Credit Act, your card issuer is jointly liable if you do not receive your tickets if the cash price of a single ticket is over £100.
For more information, visit our website: http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/tradingstandards.
To make a consumer complaint, contact Consumer Direct on contact 08454 04 05 06.