With the much-anticipated Glastonbury festival ticket resale approaching, alarming statistics have emerged revealing that one in four Britons have fallen victim to ticket scams tied to high-demand events. On average, each individual lost £82, according to recent research conducted by Nationwide Building Society. This study highlights the increasing prevalence of scams, especially in the context of popular events that sell out quickly, creating a breeding ground for fraudulent activity.

The sense of urgency and fear of missing out (commonly referred to as “fomo”) is contributing to what experts describe as a “perfect storm” for scammers. As music enthusiasts eagerly prepare for their second chance to secure a ticket to this year’s festival, many are left vulnerable to deceitful tactics employed by fraudsters. Last November, the primary ticket sale for Glastonbury sold out within a remarkable 35 minutes, leading to an overwhelming demand for the upcoming resale of what could amount to several thousand cancelled or returned tickets. This resale event is anticipated to take place within the next fortnight, likely drawing even greater interest as the festival will not occur next year, allowing the festival site to recuperate.

In recent months, various high-profile concerts have induced a frenzy for tickets, leading to a significant increase in scams. Notably, in the lead-up to Taylor Swift's Eras tour last summer, UK fans were estimated to have collectively lost over £1 million before the tour even arrived on British soil. Similarly, fans of the legendary band Oasis who are keen to attend their reunion shows in Manchester this summer reported an average loss of £346 each, as detailed in a recent analysis by Lloyds Bank.

Additionally, concerns have been raised regarding potential scams targeting fans planning to purchase tickets for Lady Gaga’s upcoming UK arena tour, which went on sale recently. The landscape of ticket purchasing has become increasingly treacherous, with Lloyds Bank noting that over 90% of reported scams originated from deceptive advertisements or posts on social media platforms. Typically, these scams involve tricking unsuspecting fans into making payments via bank transfers, which are often difficult to trace or recover.

Despite the alarming statistics, many victims do not report these scams, often due to feelings of embarrassment about being conned, or because the amounts lost are relatively small and seem insignificant. The research conducted by Nationwide further reveals that a concerning 51% of participants admitted they would consider purchasing tickets from dubious sources to avoid missing out on an event. Moreover, over a fifth (22%) of respondents indicated that they would be willing to pay extra just to secure a ticket, driven by the fear of missing the opportunity.

Younger adults, particularly those aged between 25 to 34, appear to be the most susceptible to falling for these scams. The Nationwide study found that 40% of individuals in this age bracket would knowingly risk buying counterfeit tickets in their quest to attend high-demand events.

Jim Winters, the director of economic crime at Nationwide, emphasized the psychological factors at play, stating, “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.” This serves as a stark reminder for concert-goers to remain vigilant and informed when navigating the often treacherous waters of ticket purchasing.