People across North Wales are being urged to take extra care when buying tickets for concerts, festivals and sporting events this summer amid concerns over the growing threat of online ticket scams.

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin, North Wales Police and online safety organisation Get Safe Online have joined forces to raise awareness of the risks facing fans who turn to social media and unofficial marketplaces in search of sold-out tickets.

With demand for major events continuing to soar, many people are increasingly looking beyond official ticket vendors when events sell out quickly or when they are put off by long online queues and fluctuating prices. However, experts warn that this can leave buyers vulnerable to fraudsters.

Research shows that 42 per cent of UK consumers have used social media to purchase tickets, while one in eight of those buyers report having fallen victim to a scam.

According to Get Safe Online, ticket fraud remains one of the most common forms of online consumer crime, particularly during the busy summer season when music festivals, concerts, sporting fixtures and major tournaments attract huge audiences.

Scammers often advertise tickets that do not exist or that they do not own, convincing victims to transfer money directly into bank accounts. Once payment has been made, the promised tickets never arrive and the seller disappears, leaving victims both out of pocket and unable to attend the event they had been looking forward to.

Nick Hawe, Get Safe Online’s ticket expert, said many fans continue searching for tickets after official sales have ended, often turning to platforms where there are few safeguards in place.

“When fans can’t get tickets through mainstream platforms, they don’t stop looking. They turn to social media and informal marketplaces where protections are minimal and scams are rife,” he said.

“In an online ticket scam, the seller tells you they’ll send you the tickets as soon as you’ve transferred the money to their bank account. But when you haven’t received them and you try to chase the seller, the phone just rings and your messages aren’t returned. This happens to thousands of music and sports fans in the UK every year.”

The campaign is encouraging consumers to use official ticket vendors, box offices or regulated resale platforms wherever possible and to be wary of offers that appear on social media, fan forums or auction sites, even when they seem genuine.

Buyers are also being advised to avoid paying by bank transfer where possible and instead use credit cards, which often provide additional consumer protection. Checking that websites are genuine and secure before making purchases is another important safeguard.

Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin said ticket scams can have a significant impact on victims, particularly at a time when many families are carefully managing their finances.

“As Police and Crime Commissioner, I know how important live events are to people across North Wales, but criminals are increasingly exploiting that demand to scam fans out of their hard-earned money,” he said.

“That’s why we’re working with Get Safe Online to make sure people have the knowledge and confidence to buy tickets safely. A few simple checks can make all the difference in protecting yourself and your finances, so read the tips and bear them in mind next time you are tempted to buy tickets through social media.”

North Wales Police is also warning that ticket scams are not limited to entertainment events and can include travel tickets and other bookings.

DC Rachel Roberts, Financial Abuse Safeguarding Officer with North Wales Police, said the emotional impact of ticket fraud can be just as damaging as the financial loss.

“With summer approaching, the opportunity to attend a live event is an exciting prospect for many of us,” she said.

“But ticket scams can leave victims out of pocket and unable to attend events they were excited about, causing both financial loss and emotional distress. Don’t forget – these types of scams also extend to tickets for travel, so when purchasing tickets, it is important that you use a trusted and reputable company.”

The campaign forms part of wider efforts to help people across North Wales stay safe online and avoid becoming victims of increasingly sophisticated scams. Residents are being encouraged to seek advice before making purchases and to report suspicious activity to the relevant authorities.

Further information and online safety advice is available from Get Safe Online.