The London 2012 Olympics have once again shown that when there are hard-to-get tickets out there, the e-Criminals aren’t far away.
 
Whether it’s the Triathlon or Take That concert, the desperation to bag seats for big events can often lead buyers to the online equivalent of the shady ticket tout.  And the cyber crooks really know how to tempt us, pinging our inbox with emails offering tickets for sold out shows, apparently sent from a reputable email address.

However much you want to see Coldplay or the cup final, don’t be fooled!
Expect your tickets not to arrive and the contact details on the site to lead to unanswered calls and emails.  And if you do get through, you’ll likely be fobbed off with everything from "they have been let down by the supplier" to "tickets are in the post”.
 
Avoid those old chestnuts.   Ticket scams are a rising issue, with many fraudsters frequently asking for personal information in return which can then be used to fuel larger scale identity fraud of a person or organisation. Tickets scams are a criminal act and need to be stopped.

Don’t get starry-eyed over emails offering free tickets or websites offering tickets at a cheaper rate. Here are a few tips to avoid getting blindsided by a ‘great deal’:

• Note the URL before buying. Scammers can set up fake sites that can look very similar to reputable sellers
• Official band/team/event websites will often state who the official ticket sellers for the event are or directly link you to their websites to purchase tickets
• Buy tickets with a credit card for added fraud protection
• Check the face value on the ticket when it arrives – make sure you haven’t paid above the advertised price
• Note how long the tickets take to arrive – if it’s a week or two before the event and you still haven’t received your tickets – chase them up!
• Read the fine print on a ticket- if it’s a paperless ticket, ticket holders may be required to present the purchasing credit card and photo I.D. for admission and can be non-transferable. That's especially important if the tickets are a gift or purchased on behalf of someone else. Ensure you know the vendor's guarantee policy. The official online ticket exchanges and resale sites will often replace or refund a ticket if a customer receives the wrong tickets, fake tickets, or if the event is cancelled.