Thousands of Taylor Swift fans in the UK have fallen victim to purchasing fake tickets for her upcoming Eras Tour concerts, being scammed out of an average of £332 each, according to Lloyds Bank. The bank estimates that over £1 million has already been lost to fraudsters, with at least 3,000 victims across the UK. The impact of Swift’s global tour has been widespread, with Singapore being involved in a diplomatic spat and Ticketmaster facing legal action from angry fans.
The Eras Tour, which started in the US in March 2023 and will conclude in December, is the highest-grossing tour of all time. With all UK dates sold out, desperate fans are turning to resale sites and social media platforms for tickets, making them more susceptible to scams. Lloyds Bank is anticipating more fans falling victim to ticket scams leading up to the first concert in Edinburgh.
To prevent falling victim to ticket scams, Lloyds Bank recommends buying from reputable, authorized platforms and paying with a debit or credit card for added protection. UK Finance reports that Brits lost over £40 million to purchase scams in the first half of last year, including fraudulent ticket sales. HSBC, Europe’s largest bank, warns customers to avoid buying tickets from anyone other than official vendors, the box office, or reputable fan seller sites to avoid falling prey to scammers.
The prevalence of ticket scams is an ongoing issue, with criminals posing as sellers on social media or online marketplaces and disappearing once money has been transferred for tickets. HSBC warned customers in November about ticket scams related to events like Glastonbury and emphasized the importance of being cautious when purchasing tickets online. Barclays UK product manager, Kirsty Adams, expects a surge in ticket resales closer to event dates, targeting fans who may have missed out on securing tickets initially.
As the Eras Tour continues and nears its UK dates, the risk of ticket scams is expected to rise, with Lloyds Bank urging fans to be vigilant and cautious when purchasing tickets. The prevalence of ticket scams, especially with high-demand events like Taylor Swift’s tour, highlights the importance of verifying ticket sellers and using secure payment methods to protect against fraud. Banks like HSBC and Barclays are issuing warnings to customers to be wary of purchasing tickets from unofficial sources and to take extra precautions when buying tickets online.
