Taylor Swift ticket scam reports rise to 190

Taylor Swift Fans Beware: Scammers Targeting Last-Minute Ticket Seekers

Taylor Swift fans who are eagerly looking for last-minute tickets should be cautious of scams orchestrated by sophisticated fraudsters.

According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, the number of reported incidents of individuals being defrauded while trying to purchase tickets to see the artist has now reached 190.

Spokesperson Lisanne Roy Beauchamp revealed that most victims fall prey to scams through compromised accounts of individuals they know.

Victims are often under the impression that they are purchasing tickets from a trusted source, only to be duped into sending e-transfers for counterfeit tickets.

Beauchamp emphasized that the use of compromised accounts signifies a higher level of sophistication employed by the scammers.

Taylor Swift commenced her Canadian tour on Thursday, leaving many fans who spoke to The Canadian Press without tickets in hand.

In situations where tickets are offered online by acquaintances, the fraud centre advises potential buyers to communicate with the seller via a different platform, such as text messages or phone calls.

“The use of compromised accounts is concerning since it indicates a higher level of sophistication by the fraudsters,” Beauchamp stated in an email. “Furthermore, our data shows that e-transfers are the primary payment method used in these scams.”

With contributions from Nicole Thompson.

This article by The Canadian Press was originally published on November 15, 2024