Your favourite band announces a long-awaited world tour. Tickets sell out in minutes - but fans are already posting on socials to say they’ve bought too many.

It’ll be familiar to anyone who’s tried to buy concert tickets for big tours in the last few years, and it can lead to scams that people fall for.

With acts like BTS, Raye, Gorillaz and Harry Styles all making live appearances in a big year for UK gigs and festivals - and that's before we even get to the big festivals like Reading and Leeds - how do you avoid being scammed when buying concert tickets? BBC Bitesize Other Side of the Story has been finding out.

How do ticket scams work?

The UK government reported that, in 2024, around £1.6m was lost to ticket fraud - double the amount in 2023.

These scams often involve posts on social media falsely claiming to have tickets to events that have already sold out. Sometimes, they’ll say they didn’t realise a friend had already managed to get some - or reply to genuine fans who’ve posted to say they missed out.

Victims will be asked to pay upfront, usually by bank transfer, however the tickets are never sent. Fraudsters may try to rush people into making a purchase before they can think clearly about what they’re buying.

You might also find websites advertised on social media that are offering tickets for sale, according to Report Fraud. It used to be known as Action Fraud and is the UK’s national reporting centre for reporting cyber crime and fraud.

While these websites might look genuine and may use a name or address similar to a legitimate site, they’ve been created by fraudsters.

Where are people being scammed?

You’ll find scammers everywhere fans are online and that means all over your socials and in fan forums.

When Oasis tour tickets went on sale in 2024, Lloyds Bank said victims of ticket scams had lost £346 on average, with some seeing £1,000 stolen. It said 90% of cases started on social media.

One BTS fan who shared a recent experience on the r/kpophelp subreddit said they had been the victim of a concert ticket scam on Discord: “I asked for proof of tickets with screenshots. I had a video call with screen sharing and they showed me a video of them swiping through their tickets on the Ticketmaster app. Felt rushed to make the transaction.”

The first wave of tickets for the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028 are also set to go on sale in April 2026, with organisers already warning people that only certain sites will be authorised for resales, such as Eventim and Ticketmaster, among others.

What should you do if you have been scammed?

BBC Bitesize Other Side of the Story contacted Trading Standards, an organisation aimed at helping to protect people from things like scams. They gave this advice on buying concert tickets.

• Use well-known primary ticket sellers with an established name, or resale sites and platforms that have a good reputation. If tickets are being sold on social media, a messaging app or an unofficial marketplace, this should be a cause for concern. Fraudsters will make the situation look urgent, that it is important to take advantage of a last-minute deal or to buy quickly, claiming tickets are about to sell out.
• Look out for tickets that are priced a lot lower than expected and sellers who don't want to use secure payments methods, or who ask for a bank transfer instead.
• Tickets for sale before the official release date are not usually a good sign. Neither are poor quality images on an advert.
• Check that the platform you're buying from offers protection to you as the buyer. Sites with a good reputation will guarantee tickets, private sellers do not. The concert organiser may also issue advice or guidance on who the official sellers are, so you know who to avoid.

The spokesperson added: "The key message is to take a moment before buying. If something feels off, it usually is.

"Taking simple steps such as checking the seller, using secure payment methods, and avoiding deals that seem too good to be true can make a real difference."

If you still believe you've been scammed, get in touch with your bank as soon as possible if you’ve made a payment. Make sure you check your account and bank statements for any unusual activity.

You can also let Report Fraud know what’s happened by calling 0300 123 2040. Even if you don’t get your money back, sharing your experience can help other people.

This article was published in March 2026

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