Premier League ticket fraud on rise and social media should do more, says Lloyds
Lloyds Bank have called on social media companies to do more to tackle ticket fraud ahead of the Premier League season.
Football’s biggest domestic league returns in two weeks but scams are on the rise, with the banking giant stating that victims are losing, on average, £154 to criminals.
Fraud is the most common crime in the United Kingdom and it accounts for over 40 per cent of all offences in England and Wales.
Premier League touts
Losses due to authorised push payment scams – where a victim sends the cash directly into the account of the scammer – amounted for £485m last year.
“It’s easy to let our emotions get the better of us when following our favourite football team, but when it comes to buying tickets for matchday, it’s important fans keep a clear head,” Liz Ziegler, fraud prevention director for Lloyds Bank, said.
“The vast majority of ticket scams start on Twitter and Facebook, where it’s far too easy for criminals to set up fake profiles and advertise items for sale that simply don’t exist. Social media companies must do more to tackle this issue given the vast majority of fraud starts on their platforms.
“Buying directly from football clubs or their official ticket partners is the only way to guarantee you’re paying for a real ticket, and always use your debit or credit card for maximum safety. If you’re not doing those two things, there’s a big chance you’re going to get scammed.”
The premier league returns on Friday 11 August as Vincent Kompany’s Burnley host champions Manchester City.
All 20 teams are in action across the opening weekend.
Top tips to not be scammed
- Always use your debit or credit card when you buy tickets online. This helps to protect your money should something go wrong.
- Fraudsters use social media to advertise tickets that don’t exist. They can even send offers straight to your inbox. If you’re looking for a ticket, always search for it yourself from a trusted source.
- Low prices and seemingly great deals are often used to disguise scams. However, if demand for tickets is high or a game is sold out, fraudsters can charge more to trick desperate buyers.
- Only buy direct from the club or their official partners. Follow the Premier League’s guide on how to purchase tickets safely: https://www.premierleague.com/touts