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01/06/2010
Gig-Goers 'Beware Online Fraudsters'
Dozens of people in Northern Ireland have lost cash on dodgy online ticket websites in the past year.
With a packed summer events calendar ahead, the Trading Standards Service (TSS) is warning music and sports fans not to be conned by the increasing number of sophisticated fake ticketing sites that are appearing online.
Recent research from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) reveals that one in 12 ticket buyers have been caught out by scam ticket websites, with victims losing an average of £80 each.
Damien Doherty, from TSS, said: "In the last year alone, dozens of Northern Ireland consumers lost money over scam sites, offering tickets for everything from Metallica's recent gig at the Odyssey to Take That's Croke Park concert.
"These sites offer cheap or scarce tickets to a popular event that is sold out or tickets that aren't even on sale yet. Once consumers have paid, the tickets aren't delivered, leaving fans disappointed and often hundreds of pounds out of pocket," he said.
"Event-goers are often told that a customer representative will et them at the venue on the day but nobody turns up.
"Attempts to contact the scam companies to complain are often thwarted when telephone calls go unanswered or divert to a different number, or the website has disappeared," he said.
The Trading Standards Service is backing the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) 'Just Tick It' campaign, which urges event-goers to take simple steps to help ensure they are not scammed when buying tickets online.
Damien concluded: "The 'Just Tick It' campaign gives ticket buyers the valuable advice they need to help protect themselves from ticket scammers when buying online.
"Consumers can avoid falling victim in the first place by following the clear and simple advice on how to spot a scam."
(Photo: Belfast City Council)
See: www.consumerline.org
(BMcC/GK)
With a packed summer events calendar ahead, the Trading Standards Service (TSS) is warning music and sports fans not to be conned by the increasing number of sophisticated fake ticketing sites that are appearing online.
Recent research from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) reveals that one in 12 ticket buyers have been caught out by scam ticket websites, with victims losing an average of £80 each.
Damien Doherty, from TSS, said: "In the last year alone, dozens of Northern Ireland consumers lost money over scam sites, offering tickets for everything from Metallica's recent gig at the Odyssey to Take That's Croke Park concert.
"These sites offer cheap or scarce tickets to a popular event that is sold out or tickets that aren't even on sale yet. Once consumers have paid, the tickets aren't delivered, leaving fans disappointed and often hundreds of pounds out of pocket," he said.
"Event-goers are often told that a customer representative will et them at the venue on the day but nobody turns up.
"Attempts to contact the scam companies to complain are often thwarted when telephone calls go unanswered or divert to a different number, or the website has disappeared," he said.
The Trading Standards Service is backing the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) 'Just Tick It' campaign, which urges event-goers to take simple steps to help ensure they are not scammed when buying tickets online.
Damien concluded: "The 'Just Tick It' campaign gives ticket buyers the valuable advice they need to help protect themselves from ticket scammers when buying online.
"Consumers can avoid falling victim in the first place by following the clear and simple advice on how to spot a scam."
(Photo: Belfast City Council)
See: www.consumerline.org
(BMcC/GK)
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The PSNI in Derry City & Strabane have warned people to be wary of scammers following a report this week of a person who thought they'd bought tickets online for a Taylor Swift concert only to find out they'd been swindled. According to police, it was reported that a person had found tickets for the concert on an online platform.
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The PSNI in Derry City & Strabane have warned people to be wary of scammers following a report this week of a person who thought they'd bought tickets online for a Taylor Swift concert only to find out they'd been swindled. According to police, it was reported that a person had found tickets for the concert on an online platform.
16 April 2024
Almost £300,000 Lost To Ticket Fraud In 2023
People have been urged to be wary of scammers when booking concert and event tickets, after figures revealed that almost £300,000 was lost to ticket fraud in Northern Ireland in 2023. Data from Action Fraud shows nationally £6.7 million was lost to this type of crime. In Northern Ireland the total reported losses came in at £291,344.
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People have been urged to be wary of scammers when booking concert and event tickets, after figures revealed that almost £300,000 was lost to ticket fraud in Northern Ireland in 2023. Data from Action Fraud shows nationally £6.7 million was lost to this type of crime. In Northern Ireland the total reported losses came in at £291,344.
08 June 2023
PSNI Launch Ticket Scam Awareness Campaign
The PSNI has launched a social media campaign to raise awareness of ticket fraud, urging people to be wary of scammers while booking tickets for concerts and other events. Nationally, £6.7 million was lost to ticket fraud in 2022, with 7,088 reports of ticket fraud last year in the UK. This included 189 reports of ticket fraud in Northern Ireland.
PSNI Launch Ticket Scam Awareness Campaign
The PSNI has launched a social media campaign to raise awareness of ticket fraud, urging people to be wary of scammers while booking tickets for concerts and other events. Nationally, £6.7 million was lost to ticket fraud in 2022, with 7,088 reports of ticket fraud last year in the UK. This included 189 reports of ticket fraud in Northern Ireland.
18 May 2012
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
