People purchasing event tickets through social media platforms and online marketplaces are being asked to use caution.
Comox Valley RCMP said they’ve received multiple reports of fraudulent ticket sales in the community for concerts, festivals, sporting events and community gatherings.
Scammers have been listing tickets at attractive prices, requesting payment through electronic transfer or other methods before disappearing or providing fake or invalid tickets.
Police have released a list of tips to help avoid being scammed:
- Purchase tickets directly from official vendors or authorized sellers whenever possible
- Be cautious of sellers insisting on immediate payment or refusing to meet in person
- Verify the legitimacy of the seller by checking their social media profile, account history, verifying contact information and reading reviews if any are available
- Be wary of deals which seem too good to be true
- Use payment methods which offers buyer protection rather than sending money through irreversible transfers
Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of an online ticket scam are encouraged to report the incident to the police and to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
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