Estimated £2.5m misplaced to soccer ticket scams as followers urged to be cautious

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Your help makes all of the distinction. Learn extra Soccer followers are being urged to be careful for ticket scams when shopping for match tickets for the upcoming Premier League season, as a financial institution estimates that £2.5 million has been misplaced lately.

Victims misplaced a median of £218 every final season, in response to Lloyds.

Greater than 2,400 circumstances of soccer ticket fraud have been reported by Lloyds prospects over the previous two seasons, with complete losses topping £500,000.

The financial institution estimates that nationally there are more likely to have been a minimum of 12,000 victims because the begin of the 2023/24 season, with greater than £2.5 million stolen by fraudsters.

Supporters of Liverpool are probably to have been affected, adopted by followers of Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester Metropolis, Lloyds’ figures indicated.

Circumstances additionally concerned followers of Celtic and Rangers, whereas Wrexham AFC additionally featured within the information.

Supporters aged 25 to 34 have been the most typical victims, making up 28% of circumstances, intently adopted by 18 to 24-year-olds (26%).

The Authorities has joined Lloyds to concern a warning to supporters as a part of its Cease! Suppose Fraud marketing campaign.

Round three-quarters (76%) of soccer ticket fraud circumstances final season began on social media, in response to Lloyds’ information.

Scammers submit pretend adverts or listings on social media, providing tickets at discounted costs or for sold-out video games.

Victims are requested to pay upfront – usually by financial institution switch – however the tickets don't arrive and the fraudster disappears.

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Liz Ziegler, fraud prevention director at Lloyds, mentioned: “It’s straightforward to get swept up within the buzz of a brand new season, however scammers are banking on that pleasure.

“With demand for tickets usually outstripping provide, fraudsters know they'll trick followers into paying for tickets that merely don’t exist.”

Lord Hanson, minister for fraud on the House Workplace, mentioned: “Fraud is a ruthless crime that preys on our passions, our belief and our pleasure.

“Because the nation gears up for the brand new soccer season, so too do fraudsters, ready to make the most of loyal followers looking for tickets.

“Greater than three-quarters of soccer ticket scams final season began on social media, with what look like real ‘first come, first served’ presents all too usually designed to tear off determined followers.

“That’s why we urge all soccer supporters trying to find tickets to Cease! Suppose Fraud. Keep alert and solely purchase straight from the golf equipment, their official companions and legit resale shops.

“None of us needs to overlook a giant sport, however that can really feel 10 occasions worse if you happen to’ve additionally handed a whole lot of kilos to a fraudster for a ticket you’ll by no means see.”

Sajni Shah, a cash skilled at Evaluate the Market, mentioned: “Keep alert to crimson flags like overly low-cost tickets being bought over social media or sellers pushing you to make quick funds by way of on-line platforms. If one thing feels too good to be true, it in all probability is.”

Listed here are some suggestions from Lloyds for soccer supporters to guard themselves from ticket scams:

1. Don't let “fomo” (worry of lacking out) make you rush into a call you'll later remorse. Take a second to cease, suppose, and verify if the provide is real.

2. Stick with official sources. Purchase tickets straight from official Premier League membership web sites, ticket workplaces or their authorised companions. The Premier League web site has a safe-buying information to assist followers when shopping for tickets.

3. Don't transfer away from an official fee platform to make a direct fee by way of financial institution switch or digital forex. Use the web site’s advisable fee strategies.