The event is sold out. You missed the on-sale. You are seeing tickets being offered on social media, resale platforms, and marketplace sites. The temptation is real, but so are the risks. Buying resale tickets is one of the most common ways fans lose money to fraud in the UK. Here is how to protect yourself and buy safely when the primary market has sold out.
Understanding the resale market
The ticket resale market in the UK broadly falls into three categories:
Official resale platforms
Many events and venues now offer official resale through their own platform or through a partner such as Twickets or the venue's own resale facility. Official resale is the safest option because the tickets are verified by the original seller, and the transaction is protected by the platform. Prices are usually capped at face value or slightly above.
Major secondary ticketing platforms
Platforms such as Viagogo and StubHub operate as marketplaces where individuals and businesses list tickets for resale, often at prices significantly above face value. These platforms are legal in the UK but have been the subject of significant consumer complaints and regulatory action. The CMA took enforcement action against Viagogo in 2018 and 2019 for breaching consumer protection law, resulting in court orders requiring the platform to improve its information and transparency.
And if a resale purchase has already gone wrong, our walkthrough of getting a refund from Viagogo covers every escalation route, from chargebacks to the CMA.
Peer-to-peer sales
Tickets sold directly between individuals on social media, forums, or marketplace sites. This is where the fraud risk is highest because there is no platform verification or buyer protection in most cases.
How to spot a scam
Common warning signs that a resale offer is fraudulent:
- Price too good to be true: If a sold-out event's tickets are being offered at face value or below by a stranger on social media, be extremely cautious
- Urgency and pressure: "I need to sell today" or "someone else is interested, you need to decide now" are classic pressure tactics used by scammers
- Payment by bank transfer: Legitimate sellers have no reason to insist on bank transfer. This payment method offers you the least protection
- No proof of purchase: A legitimate seller should be able to show a booking confirmation or receipt from the original purchase
- New or anonymous accounts: Check the seller's profile. A recently created account with no history is a red flag
- Refusing to meet in person: For local sales, a legitimate seller should be willing to meet in a public place
- Sending photos of physical tickets: A photo of a ticket can be sent to multiple buyers. The same barcode can be printed many times, but only the first person to scan it gets in
Safe buying practices
Use official resale channels first
Before looking anywhere else, check whether the event has an official resale facility. Many ticketing platforms operate their own resale or waiting list systems. The original point of sale is always the best place to start.
Pay by credit card
For purchases over £100, paying by credit card gives you Section 75 protection under the Consumer Credit Act 1974. Your credit card provider is jointly liable if the seller fails to deliver valid tickets. This is the single most valuable protection available to you.
For purchases under £100, a credit or debit card still gives you access to the chargeback process. See our guide to chargebacks for event tickets for details.
Never pay by bank transfer
Bank transfers to individuals offer the weakest buyer protection. While the Contingent Reimbursement Model code means some banks will reimburse victims of authorised push payment fraud, this is not guaranteed. Avoid bank transfers for ticket purchases.
Use PayPal Goods and Services
If you must buy from an individual and cannot use a credit card, PayPal's Goods and Services payment type offers buyer protection. Never use PayPal's Friends and Family option for a purchase, as this waives your buyer protection rights.
Verify before you buy
Ask the seller for their booking confirmation (they can redact personal details). Check that the ticket details match the event. If the tickets are named, ask how the name transfer will work, as many events now require the name on the ticket to match the attendee's ID.
Your legal rights when buying resale
UK law provides some protections for resale ticket buyers:
Consumer Rights Act 2015
If you buy from a business (including professional resellers and secondary ticketing platforms), the Consumer Rights Act 2015 applies. The tickets must be as described, fit for purpose, and of satisfactory quality. If you receive invalid tickets, you are entitled to a refund.
Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013
If you buy online from a business, you generally have a 14-day cooling-off period in which you can cancel for any reason. However, there is an exemption for "leisure services" where a specific date is provided, which covers most event tickets. This means the cooling-off period may not apply, but the rules on goods being as described still do.
Private sales
If you buy from a private individual (not a business), you have fewer statutory protections. The Sale of Goods Act and Consumer Rights Act primarily cover business-to-consumer transactions. However, if the seller knowingly sold you fake or invalid tickets, this is fraud, which is a criminal offence. Report it to Action Fraud. For a step-by-step guide, see our guide to reporting ticket scams to Action Fraud.
What to do at the venue
If you arrive at the venue and your resale ticket does not scan or is rejected:
- Ask the venue staff for an explanation and any documentation of the rejection
- Take photos of your ticket and any messages displayed on the scanner
- Contact the resale platform immediately if you bought through one
- If you paid by card, contact your bank the same day to start the dispute process
The safest approach
The golden rules for buying resale tickets safely are:
- Check official resale and fan-to-fan platforms before secondary markets
- Always pay by credit card where possible
- Never pay by bank transfer to an individual
- If a deal seems too good to be true, walk away
- Verify the seller's identity and the ticket's validity before paying
- Keep all evidence of the transaction
The excitement of getting a ticket to a sold-out event can cloud judgment. Take your time, follow these steps, and you will significantly reduce the risk of losing your money to a scam.
Disclaimer: This guide provides general consumer information and is not legal advice. For advice specific to your situation, contact Citizens Advice or a solicitor.
