How to avoid ticket scams in the UK

Short answer: buy from the primary seller (the venue or its ticket agent) first. If you need a resale ticket, use a platform that takes your payment securely, offers buyer protection and shows the seat, restrictions and original price before you pay. Never pay a stranger by bank transfer. Citizens Advice warns that a resale site asking for a bank transfer "might be a scam".

The 9 red flags

  1. Bank transfer or "friends and family" payment. You lose the protection you'd get paying by card through a platform.
  2. Pressure to leave the platform. "Message me on WhatsApp, it's quicker" is the classic opener.
  3. No seat details. A genuine seller can tell you the stand, block and row.
  4. Tickets not on sale yet. Citizens Advice says to avoid sites offering tickets that haven't gone on sale yet.
  5. Screenshots instead of a transfer. A screenshot of a QR code can be sold to many people. Mobile tickets should move through the provider's transfer feature.
  6. A price far below what others are asking for a sold-out show.
  7. No photos or vague details on the listing.
  8. Hard to contact. Only a mobile number or PO box, and no company details.
  9. Football tickets offered by individuals. Unauthorised resale of designated football match tickets is an offence, and those tickets can be cancelled.

How to pay safely

  • Pay by card, through the platform. Your bank can often help if something goes wrong.
  • Check the platform's terms: what happens if the ticket doesn't arrive, or the event is cancelled?
  • Keep every message on the platform. That's your evidence.

What a safe resale listing shows you (UK law)

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (s90), a resale buyer must be told, where it applies:

  • the seat or standing area
  • any restriction on who can use the ticket
  • the original price printed on the ticket
  • whether the seller is the platform operator or the event organiser, or someone working for them

How SpareSpot protects buyers

  • You pay securely in the app via Stripe.
  • Prices are shown all-in, including the 12% booking fee.
  • Every booking has Buyer Protection. You can raise an issue up to 48 hours after the event (72 hours for bookings of £100 or more), and the seller's payout is frozen while it's investigated.
  • If an event is cancelled or postponed, confirmed bookings are refunded in full automatically.
  • Fan listings are capped at what the seller paid.
  • You can report a listing or conversation at any time.

If you think you've been scammed

  1. Stop all contact and don't send more money.
  2. Contact your bank straight away.
  3. Report it to Action Fraud (actionfraud.police.uk), or Police Scotland on 101 in Scotland.
  4. If you bought through SpareSpot, raise an issue in My Bookings or email support@sparespot.co.uk.

FAQ

What is the safest way to buy a resale ticket in the UK? Buy from the primary seller (the venue or its ticket agent) if you can. If not, use a resale platform that takes payment securely, offers buyer protection and shows the seat, restrictions and original price before you pay.

Is it safe to buy tickets on Facebook or Instagram? It's risky. You're usually dealing with a private seller and have little protection if the ticket doesn't arrive. Never pay by bank transfer.

Can a resold ticket be cancelled? Yes, some events cancel resold tickets or require ID that matches the name on the ticket. Check the event's terms before buying.

What should I do if my ticket never arrives? On SpareSpot, raise an issue in My Bookings within your dispute window. The seller's payout is frozen while it's reviewed, and you're refunded if the issue is upheld.

Are screenshots of tickets valid? Often not. A screenshot can be copied and sold many times. Ask for a transfer through the ticket provider instead.

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