The new dawn of a new Premier League season is an exciting time for football fans, but also a time when ticket scammers are looking to swindle supporters for their money.
Lloyds Bank is warning fans to watch out for rip-offs as fraudsters exploit fans desperate to see their teams this season. With sell-outs across the country confirmed for the opening weekend, including Newcastle United v Nottingham Forest, some fans will be tempted by touted tickets offered for sale through unofficial websites with no official links to the Premier League or its 20 clubs.
Reported cases of football ticket scams increased by more than two-thirds (68%) between January and June this year, compared with July to December 2021, with victims losing £410 on average, the bank said. The figures were based on an analysis of ticket buying scams reported by Lloyds Banking Group customers across the UK.
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Scammers have jumped at the chance to capitalise on fans' excitement to attend live sport events like Premier League football since stadiums reopened following the relaxation of coronavirus restrictions. Lloyds reports an increase in fraudsters targeting sporting events, especially top-level football, as they take advantage of fans who were unable to secure tickets or memberships when they went on sale through clubs like Newcastle.
It said such purchase scams happen when people are tricked into transferring money from their bank account to fraudsters advertising online. Once the money has been paid, the scammer disappears, and the victim receives nothing.
The bank said it is important to remember that fraudsters will target any major event where demand for tickets is likely to exceed supply.
Liz Ziegler, retail fraud and financial crime director, Lloyds Bank, said: “It’s easy to let our emotions get the better of us when following our favourite team. But, while that passion makes for a great atmosphere in grounds across the country, when it comes to buying tickets for a match, it’s important not to get carried away in the excitement.
“The vast majority of these scams start on social media, where it’s all too easy for fraudsters to use fake profiles and advertise items that simply don’t exist. These criminals are ready to disappear as soon as they have their hands on your money.
“Buying directly from the clubs or their official ticket partners is the only way to guarantee you’re paying for a real ticket.”
Premier League's tips for buying tickets as 2022-2023 season begins
If you are looking to attend a Premier League match, follow the league's advice on safe ticket buying.
- Premier League matches are always very popular and it is sometimes necessary to be a member to be able to apply for tickets at Clubs, or for some of the higher profile fixtures.
- Memberships are commonly available as a one-off purchase, and provide great benefits including priority access to tickets.
- For some of the most popular fixtures, such as derby matches, Clubs might also use systems such as Loyalty Points to offer tickets firstly to fans who have previous attended matches on a regular basis.
- Tickets are in great demand, but in most cases any seats that remain available after priority sales can then be offered on general sale, for example to first-time fans.
- Most Clubs categorise matches (e.g. Grade A, B or C) and fans should look out in particular for lower grade matches, where availability is sometimes greater.
- Hospitality packages include match tickets and a host of other extras, ranging from fantastic food and drink options to car parking, match programmes and souvenir gifts. They offer a memorable day out and are often available on general sale.
- Each Club has its own sales processes, which are explained in more detail on their websites. If you contact a Club, they will also be happy to provide information or guidance on your options for any of their forthcoming fixtures.
The risks if you buy Premier League football tickets from a tout
Tickets bought from unauthorised websites or from touts outside stadiums can be refused by clubs. The Premier League says : "Tickets sold by touts are likely to become void and do not give you the right to enter the stadium to watch the match, or can you lead to you being removed from the stadium.
"If you buy tickets from an unauthorised source, whether that be an unauthorised website, an online marketplace or a ticket tout outside the ground, you risk not being given entry to the match and losing the money you paid."
Look out for these tell-tale warning signs when buying Premier League tickets:
- Heavily-inflated match ticket prices
- Match tickets on sale many months before the date of the match
- Exact location of the seats not confirmed (no stand, row or seat number)
- Large volumes of tickets being on offer for the most high-profile matches
- Being required to collect the tickets from a hotel, or a location that is not the stadium
- Being required to return the tickets after the match
- Statements that the website selling the tickets is not affiliated to the Club, or is unofficial
Can season ticket holders give or sell tickets to friends?
Many fans will know that it's a fairly common practice for season ticket holders to offer spares for games they can't attend to friends or family. While touted tickets sold for inflated prices are illegal, there is an allowance for Newcastle United season ticket holders to lend their season ticket to a friend for individual matches - just don't flog it for over the face value as that could be seen as touting, but face value compensation is reasonable.
Newcastle United's 2022-2023 season ticket terms and conditions state :
You may only sell or transfer the Season Ticket:
- to a Guest with the express written consent of the Club given at the Club’s absolute discretion, provided that such sale or transfer is in respect of an individual Match and in consideration of no payment or benefit in excess of the face value of a ticket to that Match and provided further that such transfer does not take place during the course of any business or for the purpose of facilitating any third party’s business;
- and/or to any person without the express written consent of the Club, provided that such sale or transfer is in respect of an individual Match only.
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