Premier League Fans Beware: Ticket Scams Soar as New Season Nears
With the Premier League roaring back this August, Lloyds Bank is sounding the alarm on a surge in ticket scams. Last season saw a 32% jump in reported football ticket fraud, leaving fans out of pocket by an average of £177—and some slapped with losses over £1,000.
Who’s Getting Ripped Off?
Lloyds’ data reveals the prime targets are young adults aged 25 to 34, making up 29% of scam victims. The 18-24 age group closely follows at 27%. Arsenal and liverpool/" title="Liverpool" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Liverpool supporters bore the brunt, but no fanbase is safe.
Scammers are crafty. They post fake tickets on social media and online marketplaces, complete with convincing images. Payments are usually demanded via bank transfer, then the fraudsters vanish without a trace.
How to Sidestep Scams
Lloyds insists: always buy tickets from trusted sources. That means clubs directly or their authorised sellers, listed on official websites.
“Most scams kick off on social media, where impostors craft fake profiles to hawk bogus tickets,” warns Liz Ziegler, Fraud Prevention Director at Lloyds Bank. “Beware deals that seem too good to be true.”
It’s Not Just Football—Big Events Are Targets Too
Ticket fraud isn’t exclusive to footie. Earlier in 2024, Lloyds estimated Taylor Swift fans lost over £1 million ahead of her UK tour. Scammers prey on any hot ticket where demand outstrips supply.
Consumer law expert Lisa Webb from Which? says: “Always buy direct from clubs or authorised partners. And if you suspect a scam, report it to your bank and fraud agencies.”
She adds most big banks follow a voluntary reimbursement code, so victims might get their cash back—but they may need to push cases to the Financial Ombudsman Service if banks refuse.
Premier League 2024/25: Mark Your Calendar
The new season kicks off on August 17, 2024. Fans should stay alert and only trust official channels when snapping up tickets.
For full protection tips, head over to the Lloyds Bank website or contact Action Fraud.
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