Beware of ‘ghost tickets’ as World Cup excitement builds

(InvestigateTV) — As fans look ahead to the FIFA World Cup, demand for tickets, travel and lodging is already rising. And consumer experts warn the hype can create openings for scammers.

With matches coming to the U.S., many fans are already making plans, but attorney Ben Farrow says excitement can make people vulnerable, especially when they feel pressured to buy fast.

Farrow said scammers often count on fans waiting until the last minute, hoping for a deal.

“Usually, people are looking at tickets not months in advance. They’re looking the week before, maybe a day before, and they’re thinking, I’ll time the market right. I’ll get this ticket for a cheap price because it’s right before this must be something willing to sell,” Farrow said.

Farrow said one place to be especially careful is social media. A screenshot of a barcode is not the same as a ticket, he warned.

“Social media is as much good as it brings, it also brings a lot of bad. The bad is you don’t necessarily know who you’re talking to. It’s very easy to set up a profile that looks legitimate, that looks like your neighbor or someone down the street, but it’s not,” Farrow said.

Another risk is something commonly known as a “ghost ticket.”

“A ghost ticket, it’s not something that’s going to pop out of your closet or attic and scare you, but the scam is just as scary. A ghost ticket, I am selling you something that I don’t yet own. So, I’m telling you, ‘I have a seat for X dollars at a certain event.’ I am hoping, because of my skill at predicting markets or whatnot, that I’ll be able to buy that ticket for less than I can sell it to you. But the truth is, no one can predict it! So, when I buy from the team or the arena, yes, I’m paying a higher price, but that’s part of that’s because I know it’s a legitimate ticket,” Farrow said.

According to LegalShield, one in three consumers have experienced grievances tied to event tickets. To lower your risk, Farrow said start with the official ticketing platform.

If you are buying resale, use the venue’s official resale partner or an established platform with a buyer guarantee, like StubHub or SeatGeek.

And pay with a credit card, which can give you dispute rights if the ticket is fake or does not match what was promised, instead of a payment app or wire transfer.

Another tip: save proof of what you were promised before you buy, including the listing, seat location, price and any included perks. If something goes wrong, that documentation may help with a credit card dispute, a consumer complaint or a conversation with an attorney.