Festival season is well underway, with Scotland's very own TRNSMT festival taking place this coming weekend.
However, as fun as the summer months can be with concerts taking place across multiple dates in various cities, you can also have your joy ruined with one simple scam.
Understanding what a scam is and knowing how to spot one is crucial, regardless of its nature, reports Wales Online.
Fake tickets for concerts, sporting events and theatre shows are extremely common online, and last-minute buyers should be on the lookout for sneaky scam artists looking to con them out of money.
Experts at VegasSlotsOnline have listed the latest scams festival-goers need to be aware of when buying tickets this season. They have also encouraged people to buy tickets directly from the organisers if possible, or an authorised re-sale site.
Read on below to find out more.
Buy directly from the source
You should always try to buy tickets from reputable sources, like official ticketing sites, box offices, or reliable re-sale platforms.
Third-party sellers can be a scam, as well as private individuals offering up tickets to that red-hot gig this summer.
Companies such as Ticketmaster provide a ticket resale service directly from their website.
Check the security of the website you're buying from
You should be ensuring that the website you are purchasing from has a secure connection - which is indicated by an 'https' at the beginning of the URL.
This ensures that your personal and financial information is encrypted and secure.
Beware of the 'best' deals possible
If a deal seems to good to be true on the surface, chances are it likely is, and is actually a scam.
Fraud artists often lure unsuspecting victims by offering tickets at surprisingly low prices, compared to the face value.
Always verify the authenticity of the tickets and the seller.
Understand the current refund policies
Before purchasing, familiarise yourself with the seller's refund policy.
Legitimate ticket sellers typically offer a clear refund policy for events that are cancelled or postponed.
If you are scammed and the gig is cancelled, you may end up losing money that could have been refunded on a reputable site.
Use a secure payment method
Always use a reliable payment method, such as a credit card.
These offer better protection against scams, compared to other methods like straight cash or a bank transfer.
According to founder and CEO of StarTickets Ken Serenitee: "Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, but by following these tips and using a bit of common sense, consumers can protect themselves and ensure that their online ticket purchasing experience is a positive one."
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond. Sign up to our daily newsletter here .
