Festival ticket buyers warned to avoid fraud ahead of summer events
Tips shared to prevent being scammed out of ticket costs
Festival and concert goers in Nottingham are being urged to stay vigilant against fraudulent sellers as they try to secure tickets for popular summer events.
Ticket fraud involves scammers selling fake, non-existent, or overpriced tickets online, usually through social media, fake websites, or secondary marketplaces.
According to the national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime, Report Fraud, there were 10,143 reported incidents of ticket fraud between 2024 and 2025, resulting in £9.7 million in total losses.
The average loss in these cases was £966 per victim.
Advice from Nottinghamshire Police
Nottinghamshire Police’s Fraud and Cyber Protect Officers have offered advice as ticket sales for summer events ramp up.
It's advised to purchase tickets only from the venue's box office, promoters, official agents, or reputable ticket exchange sites.
They're recommending against bank transfers to unknown sellers, suggesting instead the use of credit cards or secure payment services like PayPal, which provide better fraud recovery options.
For securing accounts associated with ticket purchases, different passwords should be used compared to other accounts.
They recommend a strong password using three random words, alongside enabling two-step verification.
Sellers who belong to the Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers (STAR) adhere to strict standards and provide dispute resolution services. More details are available at star.org.uk/buy_safe.
Upcoming Events to Watch For
The warning comes in time for events like Nottingham’s Splendour Festival and Harry Styles’ Together, Together Tour.
Detective Sergeant Sally Collins from Nottinghamshire Police’s Fraud and Cyber Crime Unit stated:
“A fake ticket costs more than money — it costs your whole night.
“Fraudsters all over the globe are trying to make money out of people’s wish to buy tickets quickly and easily online.
“So, no matter what you’re buying a ticket for – whether it be a concert, sports event or theatre performance - make sure to remain vigilant and follow the advice above.
“Always buy tickets from an official events organiser or website and if you are tempted to buy from a secondary ticket source, make sure to research the company or the person online before making the purchase.”
For victims of fraud or cybercrime, incidents can be reported online at reportfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.