With major events like the AFL and NRL finals kicking off, Australians are urged to exercise caution when buying tickets online. Demand for high-profile events often attracts scammers, making it more important than ever to verify ticket sellers and sales platforms before handing over any money.
Australians have lost more than $13.8 million to buying and selling scams in 2026 so far, and fake tickets have been among the most common of these scams.
“Scammers look to capitalise on fans eager to attend major events or finals. Before purchasing tickets online, take the time to verify the seller, use trusted resale platforms where possible, and be wary of deals that seem too good to be true,” said Martin Latimer, COBA’s Head of Financial Crimes & Cyber Resilience.
Unsure if you’ve stumbled on a legitimate ticket sale or a scam? Here’s how to spot the red flags.
How ticket scams work
There are several ways scammers may try to trick you into handing over your money.
They may list fake tickets for sale on social media or even on legitimate websites, deceiving you into transferring money for tickets that do not actually exist.
In some cases, scammers hack into social media accounts to appear legitimate. They pose as someone you think you know to sell tickets via social posts or direct messages. They may have a story about why they aren’t able to attend the event and may even ask you to pay an additional fee to change the ticket to your name.
Some scammers may try to lure you with fake resale websites, cashing in on people desperate to secure a seat at the game. They may also resort to phishing attempts with emails or texts, in which they claim to have tickets and ask you to type in your personal or financial information in order to ‘buy’ the ticket.
The warning signs of a ticket scam
There are some handy tips on how to stay safe when buying tickets for concerts or other events.
The safest way to buy tickets is from authorised and reputable ticket sellers. Do your research to verify the platform before typing in any personal or financial information.
“Look out for spelling errors on the website or payment portals that look odd. Those could be signs of a scam website,” Latimer added.
Always check the payment method to buy the ticket. Scammers resort to unconventional methods like cryptocurrency and gift cards which are difficult to trace. Look for secure payment options such as PayPal, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.
If you are considering taking up an offer on social media, do your homework to verify the sale. Independently contact the friend or acquaintance through a different channel to check if the ticket sale is real.
“If tickets to a sold-out game seem too easy to get, it could be signs of a scam,” Latimer warned.
What to do if you’ve been scammed
If you have lost money, contact your customer-owned bank as soon as possible. They can explore options to recover funds and stop further transactions.
If you suspect a scam, report the suspicious sellers or websites to National Anti-Scam Centre (NASC) – Scamwatch and Cyber.gov.au.
When in doubt, remember the simple “Stop. Check. Protect” method – take a moment before giving your money or personal information to anyone, make sure the person or organisation you’re dealing with is real, and act quickly if something feels wrong.