Aussies lose $135k to Taylor Swift ticket scam
Swifties are being urged to watch out for a “low act” social media ticket scam following a recent spike in complaints.
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Desperate Taylor Swift fans are being urged to watch out for a social media ticket scam following a recent spike in complaints.
The Australian Consumer and Competition Commission’s (ACCC) Scamwatch issued the warning after receiving 273 reports of people being scammed buying tickets to The Eras Tour via social media since they first went on sale in Australia in June 2023.
Scamwatch said the reports amount to losses of over $135,000 so far, however it has previously reported that only around 13 per cent of scams are reported to Scamwatch, meaning the actual losses could be in the millions.
ACCC deputy chair Catriona Lowe said she is “concerned that scam activity is only going to increase” as the concert dates in February get closer.
Swift is playing three concerts in Melbourne on February 16, 17 and 18 and four Sydney concerts on February 23, 24, 25 and 26.
The scam, which has been seen on Facebook and Instagram, involves hackers compromising social media accounts, and then using them to tout fake Taylor Swift tickets to the hacked account’s friend list.
Ms Lowe described the scam as a “low act, seeking to take advantage of fans, many of whom are young and are desperately trying to secure a ticket to make their dream of seeing Taylor Swift live come true”.
“We are urging fans to be alert to scammers and think twice before seeking to buy a ticket on social media, even if it’s from a friend or community page you trust.”
Ms Lowe added that “the safest way to get legitimate tickets to The Eras Tour is by purchasing tickets from the authorised reseller, Ticketek Marketplace”.
However, desperate fans have expressed their frustration with the resale platform, citing difficulties getting in and, when they do so, never being able to find tickets for sale.
“I just got in after 14 hours of waiting. No tickets available my whole 10 minutes I was in,” said one TikToker.
“It took me twelve hours yesterday and today. and it crashed as I got to the end both days!!!” another wrote.
A Ticketek spokesperson said that it’s marketplace resale site “is working as expected”.
“On average, there are 50,0000 customers in the lounge at any point in time trying to gain access to Taylor Swift tickets via Marketplace.”
“Once tickets are listed, they are purchased within 60 seconds of becoming available.”
The spokesperson added: “Unfortunately there are very few genuine fans who are looking to list / sell their tickets”.
Ms Lowe urged anyone who has fallen victim to a Taylor Swift ticketing scam to contact their bank immediately and report it to the social media platform, and Scamwatch.
Originally published as Aussies lose $135k to Taylor Swift ticket scam
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