There’s nothing worse than showing up to an event, ticket in hand, only to find out it’s fake. Sadly, event ticket scams are everywhere. Modern technology has made it incredibly easy to create convincing ads, fake websites, and false social media posts.

The good news? Safe ticket buying isn’t complicated—you just need to know where to look and what to check. With a little awareness and a few smart habits, you can protect yourself and ensure your next concert, festival, or hometown event goes smoothly.

Here are seven tips for buying event tickets online safely and avoiding fake tickets:

1. Start With the Official Venue or Artist

The number one way to avoid event ticket scams is to buy directly from the source. Head to the venue’s official website or the artist’s official page; they’ll always link you to their authorized ticketing partner and their ticketing platform. If you can’t find that link, call the venue before purchasing elsewhere.

This simple step removes the middlemen and keeps you away from fake sites designed to trick ticket buyers.

2. Always Double-Check Links

Social media is full of ads for “tickets available now,” but not all of them are legit. Scammers often run ads that look nearly identical to official posts from the venue or artist. Before clicking “buy,” take a moment to search for the event through the venue or artist’s official channels.

Safe ticket buying often comes down to a quick gut check and asking yourself this question: “Does the link take me where I’d expect?”

3. Skip Peer-to-Peer Sales on Social Media

Buying tickets through Facebook Marketplace, Instagram DMs, or random group posts is one of the biggest ways fans get scammed. Even if the seller seems trustworthy, there’s no guarantee the ticket they’re selling is real or that you’ll actually receive it.

If you don’t personally know and trust the seller, it’s best to steer clear.

4. Trust the Price

Scammers love to play both sides of the pricing game. Sometimes they’ll list tickets well below market value to create urgency with “too good to be true” deals. Other times, they’ll mark them up way beyond the normal range to pressure buyers into panicking and buying tickets out of fear.

When buying event tickets online, trust your instincts. If the price feels off, too cheap, or way too high, it’s a red flag.

5. Know That Tickets Can’t Always Be Verified Early

Here’s something many people don’t realize: venues and promoters usually can’t confirm if a ticket is valid until the actual event. That means if you bought from a sketchy source, you might not know you’ve been scammed until you’re standing at the gate.

The best way to avoid fake tickets is to stick with sources you can trust from the start.

6. Use Resale Platforms Cautiously

Third-party sites like StubHub, SeatGeek, or Vivid Seats can work as a backup option, but they come with risks. Expect higher fees, inflated prices, and limited guarantees.

If you do use a reseller, double-check that the tickets can be transferred into your name. That’s one of the best ways to ensure safe ticket buying.

7. Pay the Smart Way

Wire transfers, gift cards, and cash apps with no buyer protection are a scammer’s dream. If something goes wrong, your money is gone with no chance for a refund. Stick with credit cards or other secure payment options that give you some protection if the ticket turns out to be fake.

Final Word: Safe Tickets = Stress-Free Shows

Buying event tickets online should be exciting—not stressful. Ticket scams are real, but they don’t have to ruin your experience. By following these quick, easy tips, you’ll put yourself in the best position to get real tickets every time.

The best nights out start with tickets you can trust. Don’t let scammers take away the music, the memories, or the fun.

At Sellout, we created our event management and ticketing platform to put people first: no surprise fees, no confusing policies, and no scams slipping through the cracks.

Have questions about protecting your next event? Contact us—we’d love to chat and help you find a ticketing solution that actually works for you and your fans.