For sporting events, most organizers have been phasing out paper tickets to save costs and streamline sales. They have made the shift to selling tickets online, allowing people from all over the world to get tickets as soon as they go up for sale, which has also helped improve event popularity. Although this process seems less complicated, there are several mistakes people may make when buying tickets online, which could make them lose money.

1. Not verifying the seller
One of the biggest mistakes people make when shopping for tickets online is not looking up the seller. Today, several sites sell tickets for sporting events, which can make it confusing to choose the best option. After all, how does one decide who is legitimate? A little research beforehand can go a long way in avoiding any issues here. One should check if the sellers or resellers have a social media presence and compare their offerings against top ticket sellers. This is also a good time to check the website’s basic security features. Any site that does not host secure links or has spelling errors in its name, the wrong URL, or an extremely convoluted process is likely a scam.

2. Choosing non-reputable sources
To follow up on seller verification, it is imperative to steer clear of non-reputable sources when buying tickets online. Many scammers have adopted clever tactics and low-pricing strategies to attract buyers and fool them into buying fake tickets. The best way to avoid this is by buying only from the official or registered ticketing partner.

3. Paying via unsecured portals
Often, online sites host certain redirects to payment links. Scammers can steal information during this stage of the transaction, putting the buyer’s financial and personal information at risk. So, how to avoid this? When visiting the site, it is important to ensure that the name is typed in correctly and does not have any spelling errors. Authorized websites also carry “HTTPS” in the original as well as the payment link along with a padlock sign to denote that it is a safe site. Any ticket sales site that leads to a peer-to-peer transaction payment app can be fraudulent, so one should keep an eye out for such platforms. Finally, one should check the transaction fee charged by the website. If it is obscenely high, it may be a sign of a scam.

4. Choosing resold tickets
For most sporting events, experts recommend sticking to the original ticket vendors to avoid running into scams. If one chooses to buy a ticket on resale, it is pertinent that they only go via sellers who belong to the National Association of Ticket Brokers (NATB), as it requires all its members to abide by a certain code of ethics that protects the customer. Buying from anywhere else is likely to result in major losses. However, if one does choose a resold ticket from an individual, they should go with a reseller they know and trust. One should approach sellers on online marketplaces with a little skepticism, as it is difficult to verify their information.

5. Forgetting to scope out the site
Not knowing the layout of the website on the day of ticket sales (especially for high-demand events) can be a huge mistake. The first time one logs onto the site should not be minutes before the sale. One should be on the site an hour before the expected time of sale and use this time to explore the portal. If it doesn’t allow a prompt log-in, one can come back and check every 5 to 10 minutes. Some ticket portals may allow buyers to check the layout of the ground or stadium, choose tickets, and learn about the prices a little bit in advance, which can be really helpful when trying to score good tickets.

6. Using only one browser or device
With advances in technology, every device now virtually offers a different online experience when buying a ticket. This can be a make-or-break factor in one getting their hands on the tickets they want. The workaround here is to use multiple browsers and, if possible, multiple devices as well to log on to the site. This will give one the best chance of grabbing the tickets as soon as they go on sale.

7. Delaying creating an account
On just about every ticket sale platform, completing the ticket buying process requires buyers to already have an existing account or register for a new one. If it is a new site that one does not have an account on, one should log in a little early and create it. This could shave off a few minutes from the whole process, improving the chances of getting the tickets. One should also enter their credit card details in advance, so the checkout process goes by as quickly and smoothly as possible.

While avoiding some of these mistakes can increase one’s chances of getting the ticket, others can go a long way in ensuring that their personal information remains safe throughout.

Dealing with a ticketing scam
Even with multiple checks and precautionary measures, one might end up falling for a scam. Here are three different strategies that may help in such a scenario:

– File a local police report
– Contact the Federal Trade Commission online or by calling them to register a complaint
– Report the scam to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center

These government agencies will investigate the case in detail and keep one informed about the next steps.