The event-ticket resale scam

Scammers pose as ticket sellers online, take your money for events that don't exist or tickets that were never delivered.

Documented by the FTC & FBI IC3 · reviewed 2026-07-11T18:14:57.874Z

How it works

You find what looks like a legitimate listing for hard-to-get event tickets at a good price on a resale website or social media. The seller pressures you to pay quickly—often through untraceable methods—claiming other buyers are interested or the price is about to go up. Once you pay, the tickets never arrive, or you discover they're fake or already used.

What it can look like

You see a social media post advertising tickets to a popular concert at below face value. The seller asks you to send payment through a wire transfer or gift card right away because 'another buyer is ready to buy.' You pay, but when you try to use the tickets at the venue, they don't work—or you never receive them at all.

How it unfolds

Scams like this follow a pattern. Knowing the arc helps you notice where you are — and step away before the ask.

You see an ad or message offering hard-to-find tickets to a popular event at a price that seems too good to pass up. The seller appears to have legitimate feedback or a professional-looking profile.

The seller builds urgency: 'Other buyers are interested,' 'Sale ends tonight,' or 'These won't last.' They may answer your questions promptly and seem helpful, making you feel like you're dealing with someone trustworthy.

You're asked to pay through a wire transfer, gift card, cryptocurrency, or a payment app with no buyer protection. The seller insists on this method or suggests you pay outside the official ticket platform.

After you pay, the tickets never arrive, are fake, or don't work. The seller stops responding. You realize the event is approaching and you have no way to get in—and no way to reach the person who took your money.

**Stop here:** Before paying, verify the ticket through the official venue or authorized seller. Never send money outside a platform with fraud protection. If something feels rushed or the price is suspiciously low, walk away.

Red flags

Seller pressures you to pay quickly or through untraceable methods (wire transfer, gift cards, cryptocurrency).
Price seems too good to be true compared to official ticket vendors.
Seller avoids using the legitimate resale platform's official payment system.
Seller has no verifiable history, reviews are missing, or accounts are brand new.
You're asked to complete the transaction off-platform or keep the purchase private.

What to do

Buy tickets only through official event venues, authorized resellers, or well-established platforms with buyer protection.
Use payment methods that offer protection (credit cards, PayPal Goods & Services) and avoid wire transfers, gift cards, or cash-equivalent payments.
Report the scam to the platform where you found the listing, and report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

If it already happened

Acting quickly can limit the damage. You are not alone, and it is not your fault.

Stop all contact with the seller immediately. Do not send additional money or personal information, even if they claim they can 'fix' the problem.
Contact your bank or payment card issuer right away. Tell them you were scammed and ask if the transaction can be reversed. Keep notes of the date, amount, and payment method.
If you used a third-party payment app or platform (PayPal, Venmo, wire transfer service, etc.), report the fraudulent transaction to that company's fraud team and request they cancel or reverse the payment if possible.
Document everything: screenshots of the listing, messages, payment confirmation, and the seller's profile. Then report the scam at reportfraud.ftc.gov and keep your case number for your records.

Sources

Guidance on this page draws on public, authoritative consumer-protection resources (verified live 2026-07-10). Documented by the FTC & FBI IC3 · reviewed 2026-07-11T18:14:57.874Z.

Spotted this or lost money? Report it at reportfraud.ftc.gov. This is general educational information, not legal or financial advice — and ScamVet never asks for your identity or account details.

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