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  • Geebo 8:00 am on October 25, 2024 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , StubHub, Taylor Swift   

    Taylor Swift Tickets Still Prone to Scams 

    By Greg Collier

    Concert tickets to see Taylor Swift are often more than just a purchase, they’re part of a larger dream experience. From elaborate travel plans to carefully chosen outfits, fans invest significant time and money to make these moments unforgettable. Unfortunately, scammers have also recognized the high demand for Taylor Swift’s tours, turning them into prime opportunities for fraud. One recent case exemplifies the heartbreak that can come from relying on third-party vendors for tickets, underscoring how easily dreams can turn into nightmares.

    A devoted fan planned a special trip with her niece to attend a Swift concert in New Orleans, securing tickets through the popular resale platform StubHub. All arrangements were made, including flights, hotels, and custom outfits, in preparation for the event. However, as the concert date neared, she received devastating news from Ticketmaster. Her tickets were canceled due to a violation of their terms of use. Further investigation revealed that the tickets had been stolen by someone trying to resell them fraudulently, leaving her out thousands of dollars with no immediate way to fix the situation.

    Despite contacting StubHub daily, she encountered delays and uncertainty, raising concerns about whether she would receive any assistance before the concert took place. Eventually, a media outlet intervened, prompting the platform to offer her replacement tickets that were even better than the originals. But the situation raises a serious question. Why should it take media involvement for a major ticket vendor to step up and help a scammed customer?

    Taylor Swift’s tours have long been a target for scammers, given the overwhelming demand and limited availability of tickets. Fraudsters exploit the emotional investment fans have in the experience, preying on those willing to pay significant amounts to secure their place at a show. The rise of third-party resale platforms has only compounded the issue, offering both legitimate and fraudulent sellers the same space. These platforms are often marketed as safe, yet when issues arise, buyers can find themselves facing a frustrating lack of support.

    The burden of verifying the legitimacy of tickets should not fall entirely on customers, especially when platforms like StubHub profit from facilitating these transactions. While the company eventually resolved this case, the response came far too late, leaving the buyer in distress for days. Concertgoers deserve timely, proactive support, especially when a situation involves clear evidence of fraud. The experience serves as a reminder of the vulnerabilities inherent in ticket resale and the need for stronger protections for consumers.

    As long as high-profile events remain a lucrative target for scammers, buyers will need to stay alert. But the onus should also be on resale platforms to ensure that fraudulent transactions are prevented or swiftly addressed (no pun intended). Customers shouldn’t have to rely on media investigations to get the help they need. Companies must act quickly and transparently when fraud occurs to maintain trust. While the dream of attending a Taylor Swift concert was ultimately salvaged in this case, the emotional toll and uncertainty serve as a stark warning about the risks of buying tickets in today’s resale market.

     
  • Geebo 8:00 am on July 27, 2023 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , Taylor Swift   

    The dead are selling Taylor Swift tickets 

    By Greg Collier

    In case you didn’t know, the demand for Taylor Swift concert tickets is through the proverbial roof right now. In some arenas, even the nosebleed seats are going for around a cool grand. Since the tour began, scammers have been pulling out all the stops to swindle the Taylor Swift faithful who are looking for a ‘cheaper’ ticket. Typically, this involves taking money from fans while promising tickets but never delivering them. However, this is the first time we’ve heard of a deceased person scamming would-be concert-goers.

    To be fair, this scam isn’t too different from any other ticket scam. In the Sacramento, California area, someone was offering a pair of tickets for sale on Facebook for $500 each. A friend of a friend of the seller saw this post and asked to buy the tickets. The seller asked for payment through the usual apps like Venmo and Zelle, but the payments wouldn’t go through for whatever reason. Thankfully, the buyer didn’t lose any money, but what they found out was eerie to say the least.

    The person who owned the Facebook profile which was selling the tickets had passed away a few years ago. Scammers had taken over the account and were now using it for scams. The buyer even confronted the scammer online, but the scammer insisted that the deceased person was their spouse, even though the decedent had never been married.

    If a loved one has passed away, and you want to preserve their Facebook account, Facebook has a process you can go through called memorializing the account. Facebook says memorializing the account will prevent scammers like this from taking over the account. You can find more information about that here.

    If you’re looking to buy any in-demand event tickets, it’s best to avoid social media. Social media platforms are not designed for secure transactions, making it easier for scammers to take advantage of unsuspecting buyers. Fake ticket sellers may pose as legitimate sources, enticing buyers with attractive deals, only to disappear after receiving payment, leaving the buyer with no tickets and little chance of recovering their money.

     
  • Geebo 9:00 am on December 12, 2022 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , , Taylor Swift, , US Attorney's Office,   

    Scam Round Up: Taylor Swift ticket scam and more 

    By Greg Collier

    This week in the Round Up, we’re going over some familiar scams with a slight twist to each of them.

    ***

    As we keep saying, the most common scam out there is probably the arrest warrant scam. Not a day goes by where we don’t see this scam in the headlines from somewhere in the country. Typically, scammers will pose as your local police department when they call a victim. The scammers will then demand money over an arrest warrant that doesn’t actually exist. More often than not, the scammers will tell the victim they’ve missed jury duty. In many jurisdictions, missing jury duty is no longer an arrestable offense, although you can be fined. However, you would receive a notice in the mail and not an officer calling you on the phone.

    Anyway, some scammers have turned up the pressure on their victims by claiming to be from a much higher law enforcement office than your local police department. Some scammers are claiming to be calling from the US Attorney’s Office, demanding their victims pay ‘legal fees’. The caller ID On these calls is spoofed to make it appear like the calls are coming from the US Attorney’s Office.

    Always keep in mind, no law enforcement office will ever call you demanding money. That goes for the smallest police departments in the most rural towns, up to and including the higher echelons of law enforcement like the FBI.

    ***

    There’s actually some good news on the puppy scam front. According to a recent report from the Better Business Bureau, puppy scams are actually on the decline. We’re specifically talking about the scam where victims pay for a puppy they find online, only to find out the puppy doesn’t exist. In many instances of this scam, once the scammer receives the initial payment, they’ll try to get more money from the victim by asking for more money for things like delivery insurance or special transport crates.

    And that’s where the bad news comes in. The reason puppy scams are on the decline is that scammers are taking more money from victims than before.

    If you’re in the market for a puppy, do not send any money to anyone without seeing the puppy in person first. Try to stick to local breeders or your local shelter.

    ***

    There’s no bigger star in today’s music industry than Taylor Swift. Tickets for her latest concert tour went on sale back in November, and quickly sold out. If you’re still looking to snag some tickets to this premium event, be careful where you try to get them from.

    A New Jersey woman thought she was buying tickets from another member of a Facebook group she belonged to. The woman sent $1500 through Zelle, for the tickets. She never received the tickets, and the scammer kept asking her for more money. If scammers can fool someone once, they’ll often try to get more money out of their victims.

    If you’re trying to buy tickets to any event that is in high demand, stick to reputable retailers. Also, never send money through Zelle to someone you don’t know personally.

     
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