It was the best of times, the worst of crimes – if you think it feels like a perfect night to get a Taylor Swift ticket, you showed up just in time.
Ahead of the Eras Tour landing in Australia, detectives from the Cybercrime Squad are urging Swifities to beware of scammers in their Cruel Summer era.
Capitalising on demand for tickets, scammers are targeting fans with fake ticket sales through social media, often hacking accounts of individuals and then using the profiles to sell fake tickets to the victim’s friends.
You can see it with the lights out: the scammers will advertise their tickets ‘at cost price’, with a story behind why they can no longer attend.
Check it once, then check it twice – they may try to rush you into buying the tickets and transferring them money. As well as the ticket price, they’ll likely ask you to pay the extra fees to change the name on the ticket.
They will often send what they purport to be a screenshot of the email confirmation of having bought the tickets, making the scam look more legitimate.
Then, once you’ve transferred the money, life will lose all its meaning for the last time, and the profile will block you.
Victoria Police knows All Too Well the effects of the casually cruel scam, having received at least 250 reports of ticketing scams for the Eras Tour alone since June 29 last year.
The total amount lost is more than $260,000.
There have been in excess of 40 reports of the social media takeover scams since January 30 of this year.
But you’re not on your own, kid, here are some tips for getting a legitimate ticket:
• It’s not too late for you and your white horse – the safest way to buy Eras Tour tickets is from an authorised ticket seller (such as the Ticketek marketplace).
• If you do buy tickets advertised on social media, do your research. Independently contact the friend whose profile is offering the tickets and verify the tickets are actually for genuine sale.
• Always look for secure payment options and never give your credit card details to the seller.
No proof, not much, but you saw enough. If you have been the victim of a scam, Speak Now.
Contact your bank or financial institution as soon as possible. They may be able to stop a transaction from going through.
You should also contact the platform you were scammed on and alert them to the scam.
You can report all scams to Scamwatch or by filling in an official online report to the police.
If you have been the victim of cybercrime, speak to police if you have concerns about a matter, or use online forums such as ReportCyber which will assess the report and provide them to police.
Anyone with knowledge of these incidents and those responsible is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppers.com.au
Quotes attributable to Detective Sergeant John Cheyne, Cybercrime Squad:
“We know you’re often too in love to think straight when it comes to nabbing a ticket to the Eras Tour, but please, keep your side of the street clean and protect yourself. Only buy tickets from an authorised reseller.
“I’ve spent my whole life trying to put it into words – do your research, and don’t let your pennies make their crown.
“So make the friendship bracelets because karma will be the breeze in your hair next weekend.”
