Scam library · Shopping · Kids & teens
Fake concert and event ticket scam
A big concert sells out. Someone on social media or a marketplace has tickets at face value, but you need to pay by Zelle, Venmo or Cash App right away.
The tickets are fake, already sold to others, or never existed.
Fans who just missed out on tickets are the easiest targets, because the fear of missing the show is real.
What the message looks like
From: Facebook message from a seller in a fan group
I have 2 floor tickets for Saturday, can't go anymore. $180 each, face value.
Zelle only please, I'll send screenshots right after. Lots of people asking!
How this scam works
Scammers post in fan groups, comment sections and marketplaces. Some hack real accounts to look trustworthy. Others send screenshots of tickets that can be copied many times.
Payment apps like Zelle and Cash App work like cash. Once sent, money is hard to get back.
Fake ticket websites can also appear in search ads, with names similar to real sellers.
High-demand events, like stadium tours, playoff games and festivals, attract the most scams. Many official ticket platforms now use mobile tickets that transfer securely through their apps, and buying or transferring through those systems is far safer than a screenshot from a stranger.
Scammers sometimes take a small deposit to 'hold' tickets, then ask for the rest. Others claim the tickets will be transferred closer to the event, so you don't realize anything is wrong until days later or at the gate. By then, the seller's account has vanished.
If you must buy from an individual, use a payment method with purchase protection, such as a credit card through an official platform, and never pay with 'friends and family' options. Meeting in person doesn't help with digital tickets, because screenshots can be resold many times.
Check the event's official site for its authorized resale partners. Many tours list exactly where safe resale is allowed.
Red flags
- Payment by Zelle, Cash App, Venmo friends and family, or gift cards only.
- Screenshots of tickets instead of official transfers.
- Pressure because 'lots of people are asking'.
- Sellers with new or hacked accounts.
- Prices too good for a sold-out event.
How to tell it’s fake
- Buy from the official seller or a reputable resale platform with buyer guarantees.
- Use a credit card for protection.
- Insist on official app transfers.
- Check the seller's account history.
What to do if you clicked, paid or shared info
Don’t panic, and don’t blame yourself. These scams are built by professionals. Act quickly, one step at a time.
If you clicked a link or called back
- Stop communicating with the seller.
If you paid
- Contact your bank or payment app right away and report to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
If you shared personal info, a password or a code
- If you shared personal info, watch for further scams.
Where to report and get help (U.S.)
If a message seems legit and you’re still not sure, get a second opinion before you act. Reporting helps stop scammers, even if money can’t be recovered. If you are in danger, call 911.
- Your bank or card issuer
Call the number on the back of your card or on your statement, not one from the message. Ask them to stop or reverse the payment and to watch the account. - Federal Trade Commission (FTC) · ReportFraud.ftc.gov
Report the scam and get a step-by-step recovery plan. - FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) · ic3.gov
Report scams that happened online, especially if money was lost. Include phone numbers, websites and payment details. - AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline · aarp.org helpline
Free, for anyone of any age: trained volunteers help you sort out next steps. 877-908-3360, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern. - IdentityTheft.gov · IdentityTheft.gov
If you shared your Social Security number or someone opened accounts in your name.
How Gmork Scam Guard would warn you
Scam Guard in Chrome and Edge on your computer checks ticket sites and marketplace messages. It recognizes fake ticket stores and risky payment requests. If a deal seems legit, get a scam expert's opinion before paying.
Scam Guard can miss things, so the checks above still matter. See what it warns about and what it keeps private.
Questions people ask
- Is it safe to buy tickets on Facebook?
- It's risky. Use official transfers and protected payments.
- Can I get my Zelle money back?
- Contact your bank right away; recovery isn't guaranteed.
- Are screenshots valid tickets?
- Often not. They can be copied and resold.
- What's the safest way to buy resale tickets?
- Official resale platforms with buyer guarantees.