Beware of Football Ticket Scams: Lloyds Bank Warns Fans of Fraudulent Practices Ahead of Premier League Season
Football fans need to be cautious when purchasing match tickets for the upcoming Premier League season to avoid falling victim to scams. Lloyds bank has reported that over £2.5 million has been lost due to football ticket fraud in recent years. More than 2,400 cases of ticket fraud were reported by Lloyds customers in the past two seasons, resulting in total losses exceeding £500,000.
The bank estimates that there have been at least 12,000 victims of football ticket fraud since the start of the 2023/24 season, with an average loss of £218 per victim last season. Liverpool fans were the most affected, followed by supporters of Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea, and Manchester City. Cases also involved fans of Celtic, Rangers, and Wrexham AFC.
The majority of victims were aged between 25 to 34, accounting for 28% of cases, closely followed by 18 to 24-year-olds at 26%. The government, in collaboration with Lloyds, has issued a warning to supporters through the Stop! Think Fraud campaign to raise awareness about ticket scams.
According to Lloyds' data, around 76% of football ticket fraud cases last season originated on social media. Scammers post fake advertisements offering tickets at discounted prices or for sold-out games, asking victims to pay upfront via bank transfer. However, the tickets never arrive, and the fraudsters disappear.
Liz Ziegler, fraud prevention director at Lloyds, emphasized the importance of staying vigilant and not falling for fraudulent ticket offers. Lord Hanson, the minister for fraud at the Home Office, highlighted the ruthless nature of fraud and urged fans to only purchase tickets from official sources to avoid being scammed.
Sajni Shah, a money expert at Compare the Market, advised fans to watch out for warning signs such as overly cheap tickets on social media and sellers pressuring for quick payments. If an offer seems too good to be true, it likely is. To protect themselves from ticket scams, football supporters should follow these tips provided by Lloyds:
- Only buy tickets from official sources, clubs, and legitimate resale outlets.
- Be cautious of overly cheap ticket offers on social media.
- Avoid making fast payments via online platforms.
- Stay alert to red flags and trust your instincts when purchasing tickets.