Football fans warned ahead of Premier League return as ticket scam levels skyrocket
Lloyds bank has warned people that the bank has seen a huge increase in ticket scams, with levels of the crime rising by 72 percent. Football fans have lost an average of £410 each and Lloyds says it has discovered victims losing as much as £2,000.
Lloyds has reported that football ticket scams have increased by 68 percent between January and June of 2022.
This is based on research the bank has done analysing purchase scams reported by their customers.
Liz Ziegler, Director of retail fraud and financial crime at the bank has asked fans to avoid buying tickets on social media.
She said: “It’s easy to let our emotions get the better of us when following our favourite team.
“But, while that passion makes for a great atmosphere in grounds across the country, when it comes to buying tickets for a match, it’s important not to get carried away in the excitement.
“The vast majority of these scams start on social media, where it’s all too easy for fraudsters to use fake profiles and advertise items that simply don’t exist.
“These criminals are ready to disappear as soon as they have their hands on your money.
“Buying directly from the clubs or their official ticket partners is the only way to guarantee you’re paying for a real ticket.”
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The bank warns fans that scammers will always target major events where the demand for tickets is likely to exceed the supply.
To be safe, the bank is urging people to use their debit card or credit cards when purchasing tickets as this can offer some consumer protection if a scam takes place.
Using a bank debit card or credit card protects customers under section 75, an important consumer protection law making the bank responsible for compensating their customers if there is a problem.
The bank is issuing the warning ahead of the Premier League season, which begins this week on August 5.
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