A new campaign has been launched to help people avoid ticketing scams in North Wales.
The initiative, driven by Get Safe Online, in collaboration with North Wales Police and the office of the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, aims to offer expert advice to residents on safely and securely booking tickets online.
The move comes as thousands of music and sports fans in the UK fall victim to online ticket scams annually.
In these scams, buyers are promised tickets after transferring money to the seller's account, only to find themselves duped when the tickets never arrive.
Despite this, 54 per cent of UK consumers perceive social media as a safe platform for purchasing event tickets or are indifferent to its risks.
About 42 per cent have used social media to buy tickets, with one in eight falling prey to scams.
Tony Neate, CEO of Get Safe Online, said: "You wouldn’t pay a stranger in a pub up-front for a concert or sports ticket, so why do it online?
"When buying tickets on the internet never pay by bank transfer and stick to reputable platforms.
"And remember, if something seems too good to be true, however desperate you are to get hold of a ticket, it probably is."
The campaign encourages residents to resist the temptation of buying from unofficial sources, such as auction sites, social media, and fan forums, which have a higher likelihood of selling fake or non-existent tickets.
Andy Dunbobbin, Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales, said: "Combating cyber crime is a key part of my plan for fighting crime in North Wales and protecting the rights of consumers is very important to me.
"Scammers and fraudsters can use a variety of ways to part honest and trusting people from their hard-earned money and I hope this campaign from my office, Get Safe Online and North Wales Police will alert people to the dangers of ticket fraud and give them helpful advice on how to purchase products safely from reputable sources."
With the summer season approaching, North Wales Police has observed an increase in fraudulent online adverts offering tickets for sale.
In some instances, victims have found themselves at event venues with fake tickets, only to be denied entry.
DC Rachel Roberts, financial abuse safeguarding officer at North Wales Police, said: "Every year, as the summer approaches, we see an increase in fraudulent adverts online offering tickets for sale.
"In some cases, victims have attended events with fake tickets, only to be turned away at the door.
"Not only is this disappointing but victims may also have paid for travel and accommodation.
"Always follow the guidance and purchase tickets from a reputable source."
Get Safe Online has advised consumers to refrain from clicking on social media, text, or email links that offer tickets, as these could lead to fraudulent or malware sites.
The campaign also discourages paying for tickets via bank transfer, advocating for credit card payments instead, which offer additional protection.
Buyers should also be vigilant about checking sellers' privacy and returns policies, and ensuring the site offers a guarantee or consumer protection.
All purchase details should be double-checked before confirming payment.
Receipts should be kept until after the event to serve as proof of purchase.
For comprehensive information on protecting oneself from ticket fraud, residents can visit the Get Safe Online website.
For those planning to book accommodation along with tickets, the website also provides guidance on doing so safely and securely.
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