Ticket scam warning issued as Irish fans scramble for tickets for packed summer of gigs

With a jam-packed summer of gigs and festivals on the cards, music fans across Ireland are being urged to take extra care when buying tickets, as fraudsters target sold-out events and high-demand tours.

From Oasis rocking Croke Park in August to the likes of Dua Lipa, Hozier and Olivia Rodrigo lighting up Irish stages, demand for tickets has never been higher. But that also means scammers are more active than ever.

Ticketing giant Ticketmaster has issued a fresh warning, reminding fans to stick to trusted sources and avoid social media resellers, dodgy websites, and tickets being touted before official sales have even started.

"One thing is for sure – you can never be too safe when it comes to where you're buying tickets from," the company said.

Here's the full list of Ticketmaster's top tips to stay safe:

• Only buy from official sources. Check the artist's official website – it will always list approved ticket agents or venues.
• Avoid buying tickets from individuals on social media or other unofficial platforms.
• Do not purchase tickets before a tour has gone on sale. Unless it's an official presale, it's likely fake.
• Always double-check your URL. Use Ticketmaster.ie or the official app. Beware of clicking through to sites from Google search results that may 'look' like Ticketmaster.
• Be wary of printed tickets. Scammers often sell duplicates. Ticketmaster's mobile tickets use barcodes that refresh every 15 seconds for added security.

Fans with questions are encouraged to contact Ticketmaster through their website or app.

With shows selling out fast, the temptation to snap up resale tickets is real, but if the deal looks too good to be true, it probably is. Better safe than scammed.

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