Don't get trapped when buying concert tickets online!
A multitude of cultural and sporting events are organised in Belgium, not to mention the countless music festivals. Even the biggest artists like to perform at the King Baudouin Stadium, the AFAS Dome, Forest National, but also in smaller concert halls. Tickets for such concerts are highly coveted, so the risk of fraud is high.
You know how it goes... A very famous artist announces a tour and passes through Belgium. Ticket sales start on Thursday at 10 a.m. Feverish in front of your computer screen, you quickly realize that you are too far in the queue and that you will not be able to find a ticket.
Scammers often take advantage of this to set a trap for you. They know that demand is greater than supply. Through fraudulent websites, they offer tickets at exorbitant prices but also at very low prices.
Always buy your tickets on the official websites, which you can find through the organizer of the concert or festival, or the artist themselves. Be particularly vigilant against phishing attempts: scammers create fake sites for the sale and exchange of tickets very similar to the official platforms. So you risk not only losing money, but also finding yourself without a ticket. Always go directly to the official website and do not click on links.
Online resale
Too late to get a ticket? Be very vigilant about resales. Do you see an offer on Facebook, for example? If you buy the ticket from friends, the risk is limited. On the other hand, if you don't know the seller, open the eye: check their profile, contact them personally and ask them to show you the ticket. If they object or send you a payment link directly, don't worry!
"We have already had to deal with fake tickets that people had bought on ViaGoGo," says Emma from AB. "On this platform, tickets are often resold at a higher price than the initial price. Sellers can also sell the same ticket several times, but it then loses its validity. This platform is not very well controlled. »
Again: choose official resale platforms such as TicketSwap and always access the relevant website directly.
Did you still fall into the trap?
Scammers are very cunning and sometimes you fall into the trap. Don't think you're stupid, it can happen to anyone. On the other hand, we must react quickly.
You have two options. You can always report these cases of fraud on the website of the Federal Public Service (FPS) Economy, which has developed an ad hoc website: consumerconnect.be.
If you have just made the payment by bank transfer or credit card, contact your bank immediately to stop the payment. If the latter does not respond to your request, you can always contact the Financial Mediation Service.
Have fun at your next concert with a valid ticket!