Operation Podium Tells Olympic Ticket Buyers Beware

The Metropolitan Police Service's (MPS) Operation Podium team have joined forces with the London Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) to make sure it's the criminals who miss out when Games tickets go on sale, not you.

If you want to know your ticket is real and get your seat at the greatest sporting event in the world follow Podium's simple advice to avoid being scammed, conned or having your personal details stolen.

Detective Chief Inspector Nick Downing, in charge of Operation Podium said: "London 2012 tickets will be in huge demand. This demand gives criminals greater opportunity to run scams, sell non existent tickets and even steal your personal and credit card details to use in other crimes.

"Don't let this happen to you. Follow our simple and easy advice to make sure the ticket you buy is real."

As more and more ticket sales being done over the internet smart criminals know how easy it is to set up professional looking fake sites. Make sure you don't fall for them.

The advice includes some key checkpoints when buying a ticket for the Games.

The London 2012 ticket application process opens on the 15 March and you have until 26 April to apply for tickets through LOCOG as tickets are not allocated on a first come first served basis.

The only way to apply for a ticket in the UK is at London 2012's official site: www.tickets.london2012.com

You can also get a postal application from any Lloyds TSB branch, or from any public library in Northern Ireland. Don't buy a ticket from an unauthorised website or tout. You risk being scammed, and not getting the ticket you wanted and paid for.

If you get a ticket for an event you can't attend, you can return your ticket to get a refund through the London 2012 official ticket exchange. Your ticket will then be officially resold. Details of this will be announced in due course.

There are three official providers for Games Breaks and Hospitality Packages in the UK which include: Thomas Cook, Prestige Travel, and Jet Set Travel.

Other websites or companies will not be authorised to sell you a ticket as part of a package in the UK.

Outside of the UK London 2012 tickets are sold through the country's National Olympic Committee, or their authorised retailer.

If you find tickets for sale before the 15 March 2011 or available from any unauthorised source at anytime, don't buy them. They are not genuine. Report it to your local police or London 2012.

(BMcN/GK)