The Online Ticket Scam

The Toronto Police Service and Investigators from the Financial Crimes Unit want to help so you #DontGetScammed by an Online Ticket Scam. An online search leads you to someone selling tickets to an event you really want to go to. Scammers take advantage of ticket sales for popular events like playoff games, concerts and festivals that are in high demand. Most people who sell fake tickets typically use social media platforms to attract unsuspecting buyers. Inside social media groups, scammers will contact potential buyers directly because it appears they are legitimate. Scammers will ask for deposits or more money to complete the ticket transfer. And sometimes scammers will advertise a lower ticket price to attract more buyers. Scammers will also impersonate someone the buyer knows by stealing their email address. Now the buyer is tricked into believe they’re dealing with their contact, not a scammer. Protect yourself by: • Purchasing tickets from the authorized seller for the event or at the venue box • Meeting the seller in person in a public place to exchange money for the tickets • Avoiding ticket purchases from social media sites, and • Being wary of tickets sold at lower than expected prices If you are a victim of an Online Ticket Scam, report the fraud to police. Visit www..tps.ca/fraud for more information and tips so you Don’t Get Scammed.