Consumers beware of fraudulent Taylor Swift tickets (Attorney General Rokita’s version)

Consumers beware of fraudulent Taylor Swift tickets (Attorney General Rokita's version)

With Taylor Swift coming to Indianapolis this weekend, Attorney General Todd Rokita is reminding Swifties that scammers know "All Too Well" how to take advantage of fans and concertgoers.

"I know Hoosiers look forward to seeing their favorite artists in concert, especially someone as big as Taylor Swift," Attorney General Rokita said. "But when buying tickets, don't lose your hard-earned money on a scam."

When buying tickets, here are several tips to make sure you are "Ready For It" and avoid potential scams:

• "You Need To Calm Down" and investigate offers that you know are too good to be true. Sellers, especially on online marketplaces and social media websites, may offer tickets at face value (or below) for events that are sold out or in high demand. Many offers end up being scams. Some sellers may say they need to sell tickets quickly, falsely claiming, for example, that they have a sick relative, medical emergency, or an overseas military assignment.

• Stay updated through verified channels. Make sure you're not "Down Bad" and keep an eye on reputable sources like Taylor Swift's official website and verified ticketing platforms for legitimate announcements about ticket sales and availability.

• Only buy from trusted ticket resellers. To avoid "Champagne Problems," deal with reputable businesses instead of individuals or social media profiles that are not associated with the event. Beware of websites that copy popular ticket sellers' logos or the tour logos.

• Before providing any payment or personal information, research a seller's "Reputation." Search the seller's name, username, email address, phone number and other details for information. Even if you find no negative information, don't assume that the seller is trustworthy. Scammers change names regularly.

• Avoid "Bad Blood" and always use a credit card. With a credit card, if a problem arises, you have the potential for greater protection and the ability to dispute charges, unlike other payment methods. Scammers often request unconventional payment methods that are difficult to trace or recover, such as cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. Unlike credit cards, these transactions are largely irreversible - making it much harder if a ne'er-do-well tries to pull a fast one.

• Other payment methods that raise concerns are those involving gift cards, cash, or wire transfers. If you're using an app to transfer funds, be sure you understand the protections the service provides (or doesn't) before making a transaction. Use these proper safeguards so you don't look like the "Foolish One."

• If you think you know the seller, double check. Scammers are "Guilty as Sin" and may hack social media accounts and pretend to be a friend or acquaintance who's selling tickets. Before sending money, contact your friend directly to make sure the deal is legitimate.

Consumers who believe they have been defrauded should "Speak Now" and immediately report the details to the company they used to make the payment and the Office of the Indiana Attorney General.

Hoosiers can report scams to the Office of the Indiana Attorney General at indianaconsumer.com or by calling 317-232-6330.

A headshot of Attorney General Rokita is available for download.

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