Other scams
How can you avoid ticket scams and subscription traps online?
Online scams can include fake ticket sales, subscription traps and crypto fraud. Ticket scams often involve fake or duplicate tickets sold through unofficial websites or social media, while subscription traps use low‑cost or free offers to sign you up to ongoing payments hidden in the small print. Crypto scams can involve fake endorsements, wallet hacks or schemes promising high returns, with little or no consumer protection if things go wrong.
To protect yourself, always buy tickets from official sources, read terms and conditions carefully before subscribing. Never share bank or card details without researching the business. If you think you’ve been scammed, contact your bank immediately to ask about chargeback and report the incident to your local Garda station.
What are ticket scams and how do they work?
Scammers target people who are looking for tickets for a concert, show, or sporting event. These scams are more common now as there is high demand for events and many people may be unable to secure tickets.
Ticket scams happen when someone is fooled into buying a ticket that is fake or does not exist. Here are the main ways you can fall victim to a ticket scam:
Duplicate ticket sales
The same ticket is sold multiple times to different buyers. Only the first person to arrive gets in, others are turned away.
Fake ticket sales
Fraudulent websites may show false error messages and ask you to pay again, charging you twice for tickets that do not exist.
Social media scams
Scammers create fake accounts and pretend to sell legitimate tickets, then block you after payment.
Signs it’s a ticket scam
There are certain giveaway signs that that ticket you’re after may be a scam:
- Tickets made available before official sale
- Event is ‘sold out’ on official sites but available elsewhere
- Low-priced tickets that seem too good to be true
Buy from an official source
Always buy tickets from a legitimate source, in person or online. Check with the organiser, promoter, or venue for official channels. Read reviews of the website and never pay by cash or money transfer. Use your debit or credit card so you can request a chargeback if things go wrong.
What are subscription scams and how do they work?
Subscription trap
Scammers use attractive offers to lure you into costly repeat payments. They request your payment card details and set up recurring charges, often hiding the terms.
Did you know?
If you subscribe by giving your bank card details, this authorises a continuous payment known as a recurring charge. Unlike a direct debit, only the business can cancel it.
Cancelling your subscription
If payments continue after cancelling, ask your bank about a chargeback. If you can’t contact the business, you may need to cancel your card and get a new one.
How to avoid a subscription scam
You can take actions to prevent getting scammed into a subscription trap:
- Read the small print thoroughly
- Check that terms and conditions boxes are not pre-ticked
- Watch for bogus testimonials and reviews
- Never provide bank or card details without researching the business
- Check the official website matches the business
- Cancel before the trial period ends if you don’t want to continue
- Monitor your bank statements for changes to subscriptions
Never sign up for any free/low-cost trials of medication, drugs or so called "miracle cure" treatments no matter how fantastic the offer seems. You could receive a product that does not match what’s advertised and potentially damage your health. Ask your doctor where medication is involved.
Crypto
Crypto is a digital asset that is bought, sold or traded online, usually as a speculative investment. It can be used to pay for goods and services from people and businesses that accept crypto. There are no physical notes or coins, only digital records of transactions.
Crypto is extremely risky. You can lose all your money if the value drops, if you are targeted by a scam or if the platform you use is hacked or goes out of business. There is no consumer protection or compensation if things go wrong. Learn more about crypto.
Common crypto scams
Fake celebrity endorsements
Scammers pretend to be celebrities advertising crypto on social media or reputable websites. These ads promise high returns on investment, such as giveaways for free crypto. The offer will prompt you to click a link and share your details.
Wallet hacks
Scammers try to get information that gives them access to your digital wallet. This can happen if they access documents on your laptop, emails or cloud storage. They may also trick you into using a fake digital wallet app or website.
Users are asked to enter their private keys, which scammers then use to empty the crypto holdings. Fake wallet apps can be promoted through phishing emails or may copy other mobile apps in the app store.
Fake coin offerings (ICOs)
An initial coin offering (ICO) is when a new cryptocurrency is released to the public for the first time. The expectation is that the developers will use the proceeds to support the cryptocurrency network.
A fake ICO may appear legitimate but has none of the supporting technology. It is like launching a coin that exists in name only. The developers may vanish with the ICO proceeds. ICOs are not regulated.
Crypto Ponzi schemes
A crypto Ponzi scheme offers high returns by using money from new investors to pay earlier investors. Like traditional Ponzi schemes, these scams trick people into believing that legitimate activities are driving investment returns.
What should you do if you believe you’ve been scammed?
If you think you may have fallen victim to any of these scams and have given someone your bank or card details, contact your bank or financial provider immediately. They can advise you and put a hold on your account. You should also alert your local Garda station.
