Ticket Scams

Major sporting, concert and other events present an opportunity for scammers to exploit consumers through the sale of fake, void, or stolen tickets on the secondary market. Ticket scams not only pose a risk for financial theft, but consumers may also fall victim to identity theft if both financial and personal information is provided as part of the transaction.

The Attorney General’s Office offers the following tips for consumers:

• Buy tickets from reputable sites. You can check whether the business is accredited with the Better Business Bureau by going to bbb.org. You may also want to search the internet for complaints and reviews of a business.
• Some companies operate ticket resell websites where consumers list tickets to sell to other consumers. Many of these companies guarantee the authenticity of tickets. If you choose to purchase a ticket from an individual on one of these sites, it is important to familiarize yourself with the refund policies listed on the site in case your event is cancelled or rescheduled.
• You can also purchase tickets from a ticket broker. You can look for a broker through the National Association of Ticket Brokers, which requires its members to guarantee that every ticket sold on their websites is legitimate.
• Ticket brokers are required by Georgia law to register with the Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission and comply with other regulations, including providing their license number in any internet, broadcast or print advertising. To verify a ticket broker’s license, visit sos.ga.gov, click on “Licensing” and then “Licensee Search.”
• The so-called ticket scalpers who approach you outside the event gates are often scammers peddling bogus tickets. Don’t risk it.
• Inquire with the organization hosting the sporting event about a safe method for reselling and buying verified tickets.
• Be very wary of buying tickets through Craigslist ads.
• Avoid wiring money to the seller, as this is often an indication of a scam.
• Be wary of deals that sound too good to be true. Scammers often try to lure consumers into handing over their money by offering tickets or merchandise at below-market rates.
• Protect your identity by refraining from posting pictures of your tickets online or on social media. Scammers can easily take the barcodes in an online post and use them to create fraudulent tickets and steal personal information.

To file a complaint against a ticket broker, contact the Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission at 404-656-2868 or [email protected]. 

If you have a dispute against a company that facilitates the resale of tickets between individuals, you can submit a complaint to our office online or call us at (404) 651-8600.