Alert for sports fans: What you need to know before the Grand Final weekend
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Have you secured your ticket for this season's Grand Finals? If you haven't, remember these tips before buying a ticket, as cybercriminals are everywhere.
With the upcoming AFL and NRL Grand Finals, cybercriminals are out in full force gearing up to scam football fans trying to snap up Grand Final tickets.
Over $32 million has been lost to buying and selling scams this year, and the demand for Grand Final tickets may increase this figure.
Marc Broome, the ANZ Complex Organisations Lead, says that after closely observing specific events, advanced scammers understand how to exploit the ‘sense of urgency’ people feel when they worry about missing out because of ticket shortages.
'What we can see is cybercriminals creating fake tickets, selling fake seats, duplicating tickets and even developing fake websites to lure in victims,' he said.
The urgency to secure tickets for sought-after events was evident during Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, which had historically caused issues with some reportedly being scammed by counterfeit ticket sales exceeding $2,000 in Canada.
According to a recent news report, these scams predominantly targeted fans on social platforms and resale sites, such as Facebook Marketplace—estimates from the past week alone suggest a total fraud of about $12,000.
With this year's AFL and NRL Grand Finals, the risk of scams intensifies, given the growing number of fans eager to witness the major matches.
Broome strongly advises sports fans to thoroughly check before buying tickets to prevent scams. He recommends examining seller profiles, reading reviews, comparing prices, and noting other important details to confirm the legitimacy of the seller.
The expert adds that it’s important to pay through secure platforms only and refrain from providing any personal information such as bank account details to an unknown seller.
'If it seems too good to be true, it probably is,' Broome warns. 'Genuine resale tickets, particularly those in high demand, often sell for double or triple the retail price.'
Moreover, if you think you’ve been scammed, it’s important to take action right away rather than wait in hope that you’ll get a refund.
If you suspect you've been scammed, immediately alert your bank and contact the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC).
The ACCC consistently monitors new malicious activities, ensuring others are promptly warned and shielded if they encounter similar scams.
You can always report a scam to the ACCC via their Scamwatch website here and also be sure to post in our Scam Watch forum to inform our members of scams you may encounter.
Members, have you bought a fake ticket in the past, or do you know someone who has experienced this? How do you plan to buy tickets safely for the upcoming finals? Share your advice in the comments below!
With the upcoming AFL and NRL Grand Finals, cybercriminals are out in full force gearing up to scam football fans trying to snap up Grand Final tickets.
Over $32 million has been lost to buying and selling scams this year, and the demand for Grand Final tickets may increase this figure.
The AFL and NRL Grand Finals are scheduled for 30 September and 1 October. Image source: Pixabay
Marc Broome, the ANZ Complex Organisations Lead, says that after closely observing specific events, advanced scammers understand how to exploit the ‘sense of urgency’ people feel when they worry about missing out because of ticket shortages.
'What we can see is cybercriminals creating fake tickets, selling fake seats, duplicating tickets and even developing fake websites to lure in victims,' he said.
The urgency to secure tickets for sought-after events was evident during Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, which had historically caused issues with some reportedly being scammed by counterfeit ticket sales exceeding $2,000 in Canada.
Among the most targeted areas in Australia, online fraud made up 27% of the commonly reported cybercrimes. Image source: Pixabay
According to a recent news report, these scams predominantly targeted fans on social platforms and resale sites, such as Facebook Marketplace—estimates from the past week alone suggest a total fraud of about $12,000.
With this year's AFL and NRL Grand Finals, the risk of scams intensifies, given the growing number of fans eager to witness the major matches.
Broome strongly advises sports fans to thoroughly check before buying tickets to prevent scams. He recommends examining seller profiles, reading reviews, comparing prices, and noting other important details to confirm the legitimacy of the seller.
The expert adds that it’s important to pay through secure platforms only and refrain from providing any personal information such as bank account details to an unknown seller.
'If it seems too good to be true, it probably is,' Broome warns. 'Genuine resale tickets, particularly those in high demand, often sell for double or triple the retail price.'
Australians report a staggering $3.1 billion in scam losses, but the actual figure is likely higher. Image source: Australian Cyber Security Centre
Moreover, if you think you’ve been scammed, it’s important to take action right away rather than wait in hope that you’ll get a refund.
If you suspect you've been scammed, immediately alert your bank and contact the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC).
The ACCC consistently monitors new malicious activities, ensuring others are promptly warned and shielded if they encounter similar scams.
You can always report a scam to the ACCC via their Scamwatch website here and also be sure to post in our Scam Watch forum to inform our members of scams you may encounter.
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