With the advancement of the internet and online ticketing, organizing events and setting up ticket purchase portals is easier than ever. Unfortunately, as with any major activity moving online, this one has become vulnerable to external malicious elements like hackers and other cybercriminals. It is worth noting that sometimes event-goers make certain mistakes while purchasing tickets, which can lead to the loss of money or failure to obtain the tickets altogether.
Purchasing from unofficial sites or apps
Musical concerts and sporting events have official ticketing partners. These partners have official websites or apps on which the main event tickets are available. Users can often choose which seat grade (normal, box, special) they need to watch the sporting event through the portal.
One must verify that the website or app they use to buy tickets belongs to the official partner. Certain sites and apps may also advertise that they are selling tickets to the event at lowered prices. Such sites and apps are usually bogus. One risks losing data and money on such sites if one falls into this trap. So, such portals must be avoided at all costs.
Failing to verify tickets sold on social media or free online listings
Other places where tickets for sporting events may go up for purchase are social media pages and various free online listing sites. Again, suppose these pages or sites are affiliated with the event’s main organizer, or the tickets are being sold from a sportsperson/celebrity’s verified social media page. Using them to buy tickets is acceptable if that is the case. However, if individuals who are unfamiliar or anonymous put the tickets up for sale on their social media handles, there is a greater likelihood that it is a fraudulent scheme.
Saving payment details on the portal
Ticketing sites often ask buyers to save payment information, but it is wise not to do so. People who save their card information on payment portals become vulnerable to hackers stealing that data online. To avoid losing out on money or seeing unauthorized strangers make payments using someone’s card details, it is best not to save payment information online.
