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Bought concert or event tickets and got scammed?

The concert is sold out, and tickets are offered privately or on a resale platform? Fraudsters lurk here: forged, multiply sold or personalized tickets that do not work at the entrance. How to protect yourself and get your money back.

Reach your next steps and the matching ready-made texts in just a few minutes, free of charge:

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Your chances of getting your money back

Typical schemes: the ticket never arrives, is forged or is sold multiple times; personalized tickets run under someone else's name and are turned away at the entrance. Payment by bank transfer or PayPal 'friends & family' is especially risky.
If you paid with buyer protection (PayPal goods & services, credit card), the chances of a refund are good. Through official resale platforms with buyer protection you are also better protected.

What you should do now

  1. 1

    1. Secure evidence

    Secure the listing/chat, the payment receipt and the (alleged) ticket including the seller's details.

  2. 2

    2. Use buyer protection/chargeback

    Report the case to PayPal (goods & services), the credit card or the platform and demand a refund.

  3. 3

    3. Bank recall for a transfer

    For a normal bank transfer, ask the bank for a recall immediately; the faster, the better.

  4. 4

    4. Report and file a complaint

    File a complaint and report the profile to the platform. Do not warn others by public accusation, but through the reporting channels.

How to spot the scam

  • Payment only possible by bank transfer or PayPal 'friends & family'.
  • Personalized tickets that run under someone else's name.
  • Pressure ('only today', 'several interested parties') and selling outside official platforms.

Frequently asked questions

Do I get my money back in ticket fraud?

With buyer protection (PayPal goods & services, credit card) or through an official resale platform with buyer protection, the chances are good. With a normal bank transfer it is harder; then only a fast bank recall and the complaint help.

Are personalized tickets from the resale market valid?

Often not: if a personalized ticket runs under a different name, entry can be refused. Buy such tickets only through official resale channels approved by the organizer, with a transfer to your name.

Take action now

We put together the ready-made texts and the right places to contact for you.

General information for self-help, not legal advice (RDG). In case of a high loss or uncertainty: contact a consumer advice center or a lawyer.