As the official Glastonbury festival ticket resale approaches, a perfect storm of desperation and scammers is brewing for fans eager to secure entry. With high demand and low availability, Britons are falling prey to ticket scams, losing an average of £82 each.
The Perfect Storm: Ticket Scams Prey on Desperate Fans Ahead of Glastonbury Resale
Demand for in-demand events, such as the upcoming Glastonbury festival, can create a ‘perfect storm’ for scammers. With high demand and low availability, fans are often willing to take risks to secure entry, making them vulnerable to ticket scams.
Glastonbury is a five-day music festival held in Pilton, Somerset, England.
It began in 1970 and has since become one of the world's largest and most iconic music festivals.
The event features a diverse lineup of artists, including rock, pop, jazz, and electronic music.
Glastonbury attracts over 200,000 attendees each year and is known for its eclectic atmosphere, art installations, and environmental initiatives.
The Cost of FOMO: Britons Lost £82 on Average in Ticket Scams
According to research commissioned by Nationwide building society, one in four Britons have fallen victim to a ticket scam involving an in-demand event. These scammers often use tactics such as fake adverts or social media posts to trick victims into sending money via bank transfer. On average, each victim lost £82.
The Rise of Ticket Scams: A Growing Problem
In the past year, several high-profile events have triggered a spate of scams. For example, months before Taylor Swift‘s Eras tour reached UK shores, British fans were estimated to have lost over £1m after tickets went on sale. Oasis fans who fell victim to scammers in their desperation to secure tickets to the Manchester band’s UK reunion shows lost an average of £346 each.
The Targeting of Lady Gaga Fans
With tickets for Lady Gaga‘s forthcoming UK arena tour going on sale, warnings have been issued that fans will be targeted by scammers. Lloyds bank has previously reported that more than 90% of reported cases started with fake adverts or posts on social media.
The Vulnerability of Younger Fans
Nationwide research found that those aged 25-34 were the most vulnerable to being scammed, with two in five (40%) of this age group willing to knowingly risk buying fake tickets to secure a spot. ‘When offered high-demand tickets that are cheap, or even just available, fans can easily lose control of their senses as their hearts rule their heads‘, said Jim Winters, Nationwide‘s director of economic crime.
According to a study, 60% of online users are between the ages of 13 and 24.
This demographic is increasingly influential in shaping the entertainment industry.
Younger fans are driving demand for content on platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and streaming services.
They prefer 'short-form videos' , interactive experiences, and authentic storytelling.
As a result, creators are adapting their content to cater to this younger audience, incorporating trends and formats that resonate with them.
As the official Glastonbury festival ticket resale approaches, fans are advised to be cautious and avoid buying from ‘questionable sources’ to avoid falling victim to fraud.
