The secondary ticket market is full of legitimate businesses -- and full of scammers. Before you hand over your money to a reseller, it is worth doing some basic checks. A few minutes of research can save you from losing hundreds of pounds on fake or invalid tickets.
This article provides general guidance on verifying ticket resellers. For specific advice, contact Citizens Advice.
Red flags to watch for
Before anything else, watch out for these warning signs:
- Prices too good to be true -- Sold-out event tickets at face value or below from an unknown seller should raise suspicion.
- Pressure to act fast -- "Only 2 left!" or "This offer expires in 10 minutes!" are classic scam tactics.
- Payment by bank transfer only -- Legitimate businesses accept card payments. Bank transfers offer no buyer protection.
- No physical address or contact details -- A legitimate business will have a registered address, phone number, and email.
- Poor website quality -- Spelling errors, broken links, and a lack of terms and conditions suggest a scam site.
- No refund or guarantee policy -- Legitimate resellers typically offer some form of buyer protection.
Checks you should make
1. Check STAR membership
The Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers (STAR) is a UK trade body for the ticketing industry. STAR members agree to a code of practice that includes honest advertising, clear pricing, and a complaints procedure. Check whether the reseller is a STAR member at star.org.uk.
2. Search for reviews
Search for the reseller's name along with "reviews", "scam", or "complaints". Check Trustpilot, Google Reviews, and forums like Reddit. A pattern of negative reviews about non-delivery or fake tickets is a clear warning.
3. Verify the company registration
Legitimate UK businesses are registered with Companies House. Search for the company at companieshouse.gov.uk. Check that the registration is active and that the company details match what is on the website.
4. Check the URL
Scam sites often mimic legitimate platforms. Check that the URL is exactly right -- scammers use variations like "ticketmaster-uk.com" or "seetickets-official.co.uk" to deceive buyers. Look for HTTPS (the padlock icon) in the address bar, though this alone does not guarantee legitimacy.
5. Look for a physical address
A legitimate business should have a physical address. If the only contact information is a Gmail address and no phone number, proceed with extreme caution.
6. Check the event organiser's website
The event organiser's official website will usually list authorised ticket sellers. If the reseller you are considering is not on that list, there is a higher risk of the tickets being invalid.
Authorised vs unauthorised resellers
There is an important distinction:
- Authorised resellers -- Have a formal relationship with the event organiser or venue. Tickets sold through authorised channels are guaranteed to be valid.
- Unauthorised resellers -- Operate independently. The tickets may be genuine, but they may also have been acquired in breach of the event's terms and could be voided by the organiser.
The safest approach
The safest way to buy event tickets is from the source:
- The venue's own box office -- Always legitimate.
- The event organiser's website -- Direct from the source.
- Authorised primary platforms -- Tickts, Ticketmaster, See Tickets, AXS, and others that have direct relationships with organisers.
- Authorised resale platforms -- Face-value resale platforms like Twickets, or the official resale channels operated by primary platforms.
At Tickts, every ticket sold is from the event organiser directly. There is no secondary market, no inflated prices, and no risk of buying a fake ticket. When you buy on Tickts, you know exactly what you are getting.
If you have already been scammed
If you bought tickets from a scam reseller:
- Contact your bank immediately for a chargeback.
- Report to Action Fraud (actionfraud.police.uk).
- Report the seller to the platform where you found them (Facebook, Google Ads, etc.).
- Leave reviews to warn others.
Summary
Before buying from a reseller, check STAR membership, read reviews, verify the company registration, and be alert to red flags. The safest option is always to buy from official sources. If something feels off, trust your instincts and walk away -- there will be other opportunities to get tickets through legitimate channels.
