Just Tick It for Ticket Sales

Rhondda Cynon Taf’s Trading Standards team is urging residents to take advantage of a new campaign aimed at stopping online ticket scams.

The officers have given their full support to the “Just Tick It” campaign being run by the Office of Fair Trading, which raises awareness of scams and also gives people the chance to find out more about common tricks used – and how to avoid them.

The campaign website offers a wide range of information, including an interactive game where people can see how professional scam websites can appear and how to avoid falling victim to scam.

It has been launched with the backing of music stars Kate Nash, Fightstar and Blur’s Dave Rowntree following a series of scams in which consumers have bought tickets online and been left disappointed when their tickets do not arrive or they do not receive what they have paid for.

It is estimated that 20 per cent of the UK population knows at least one person who has been scammed by bogus ticket sites.

Key messages of the campaign are:

• If what you are being offered seems too good to be true, it probably is.
• There are scam ticketing websites out there, which is why it is important to check them out before buying.
• There are ways to beat the tricksters and buy tickets online safely.

People are being asked:

• How has the site got the tickets for sale? Check with the venue if they have indeed released tickets for sale and when they will be sent out.
• Who is the site registered to? How long has it been registered? You can search for domain name registrant information using an online search engine.
• What are other people saying about the website? Search the internet to find views from others.
• How can you contact the company? Make sure you have their full postal address and check their landline number before buying to ensure it is working.
• Can they provide ticket details? Ensure the face value of the tickets and seating location are clearly listed?
• Do they provide refunds? Check the refund policy before purchasing.

Cllr John David, Cabinet Member for Communities, said: “This is an important campaign and one we are keen to support and promote in order to protect our communities.

“We are not aware of specific cases in RCT where residents have bought tickets from such websites, but we are sure, based on the statistics provided by the Office of Fair Trading, that there are residents who have lost out.

“We want to stop this happening to others and urge people to visit the website so they can protect themselves and, if necessary, make contact with our Trading Standards officers for free, confidential advice.”

Platinum-selling singer Kate Nash added: “I remember a friend of mine bought a ticket for a festival. He is a student and the tickets were around £200. He was so excited. He had been planning the whole trip for ages but, two days before the event, the tickets still hadn’t arrived.

“He was so disappointed that he could not go. He lost his money and his friends who bought legitimate tickets went without him.

“I think it is disgusting, scamming people who want to go to gigs and have a good time. They just get ripped off and disappointed, turning something positive into something negative. People should check the website selling tickets before making a purchase.”

For more information, visit www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/ticketscams