LITTLE ROCK – Many Arkansans are excited to resume their pre-COVID activities, including going to concerts. As the musicians resume their tours, so do the crooks. Simmons Bank Arena has contacted the Attorney General’s office about websites attempting to sell speculative tickets, which are not real tickets, for events like the upcoming Harry Styles concert. Speculative listing occurs when unofficial sellers list tickets even though they don’t actually have those tickets. This practice is fraudulent, unethical, and benefits fans and artists. Most sites, including Simmons Bank Arena, use legitimate services, such as Ticket Master Verified Fan, as the official source for purchasing tickets to ensure fans can purchase tickets and to prevent scammers and scalpers to scam consumers.
“These websites are nothing more than online scalpers who charge exorbitant fees by selling fake tickets to consumers,” Rutledge said. “I will always fight against the crooks and crooks who try to take advantage of the hard-working Arkansans.”
Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge publishes the following tips to help Arkansas residents protect themselves when looking to purchase concert tickets.
- Buying tickets from the official source verified by the venue’s website is the safest way to purchase a real ticket for an event.
- Buy only from official sources during the official selling period.
- Find the seller or broker with the Better Business Bureau and make sure they are a member of the National Association of Ticket Brokers.
- A legitimate ticket broker will offer a refund policy. Only buy tickets from a reseller who provides clear details of the terms of the transaction.
- Always use a credit card to purchase tickets, as credit card laws provide buyers with some recourse if the tickets are fraudulent.
- Check the seats in advance. Ask for section, row and seat numbers to avoid obstructed views and buying tickets that don’t exist.
- Stick with well-known ticket sellers who offer guarantees and policies that protect buyers and who have the ability to investigate and restrict the accounts of traders who violate the policies.
- If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Refuse to be in a hurry. Scammers often try to trick potential buyers into making a decision.
According to the AARP, nearly 5 million consumers each year receive fraudulent tickets to concerts, sporting events or theme parks. We can all do our part by making sure our neighbors, friends and families are informed about deceptive practices by scammers and how to avoid them.
Consumers who believe they have purchased a counterfeit ticket can contact the National Association of Ticket Brokers at 630-510-4594 or the Public Protection Department of the Arkansas Attorney General.
For more information and advice on how to avoid a scam, call the Arkansas Attorney General’s office at 800-482-8982 or visit ArkansasAG.gov.
