Michiganders warned of scammers selling fake Taylor Swift tickets
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is warning local Swifties about ticket scams surrounding Taylor Swift’s Eras tour, which is hitting Ford Field in Detroit this weekend.
Some fans have lost as much as $2,500 paying for tickets that don’t exist or were never given to them.
The Better Business Bureau received nearly 200 complaints around the county about these scams for Swift’s tour alone.
“Michigan residents who are defrauded by online ticket scammers should not just ‘Shake It Off,’” said Nessel. “We know these scams ‘All Too Well.’ If you believe you were taken advantage of, filing a complaint with my office is ‘Better Than Revenge.’”
Attorney General Nessel offers the following tips for buying second-hand tickets for any concert or event:
Know your ticket vendor: Buy tickets from a reputable website, especially before giving out any personal information.
Research the ticket vendor: If you’re unfamiliar with a ticket vendor, call the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Team at 877-765-8388 to check if they have any complaints on file about the vendor. However, a lack of complaints doesn’t mean the seller is legit. You should also try to find the seller on the Better Business Bureau’s national website.
Use a credit card when purchasing: If you buy tickets online, use a credit card, as these cards often give you more protection than if you buy tickets using cash, checks, or apps like Venmo and Cash App. Use sellers with long histories of satisfied customers, and make sure the online ticket amount is listed in American dollars.
Shop on a secure website: If a website begins with “https,” the “s” indicates the website is “secure.” Typically, a “s” won’t appear in the URL until you get to the page that asks you for personal information. Ticket buyers should also look for a graphic of a closed lock at the bottom of your screen. Secure websites take measures to make sure others can’t copy your personal information.
Physically inspect your tickets: If you buy tickets from a source other than the established venue or official outlet, reduce your risk of getting to the venue with fake tickets by physically looking at the tickets. Check the ticket’s listed time, date and location to make sure the information is as expected. Call the venue and make sure the seats listed on your tickets are legitimate. The venue may also be able to give you details about unique features of authentic tickets.