Buying tickets on the secondary market can be daunting. With high demand for stadium tours and playoff runs, scammers are constantly finding new ways to exploit eager fans. By staying vigilant and knowing what to look for, you can protect yourself.
1. The "Too Good to Be True" Price
If a ticket is listed for 50% less than everywhere else, it's a huge red flag. Sellers never price below market value unless the event is about to start. If you see front-row seats for $50 when others are $500, walk away.
2. Payment via Zelle, Venmo, or Wire
Legitimate marketplaces (StubHub, SeatGeek, TickPick, Vivid Seats) handle the payment processing to protect both parties. If a seller asks you to pay directly with a non-refundable method like Zelle, Cash App, or crypto, it is almost certainly a scam.
3. E-tickets that look "off"
Modern tickets are dynamic QR codes that refresh (standard Ticketmaster mobile entry). A screenshot of a QR code or a shabby PDF very often won't scan at the gate.
4. Social Media Sales
X, Facebook Marketplace, and Instagram are hotbeds for ticket scams. Profiles can be fake or hacked. Buy through a marketplace with a buyer guarantee, full stop.
5. Check the URL
Phishing sites mimic legitimate ones. Watch for lookalike domains ("Tcketmaster.com", "StubHub-Official.net"). Stick to the platforms you know — or start from TixInfo, where every link goes to the real marketplace.