Scamwatch: fake Olympics tickets
Stay one step ahead of the fraudsters with our series of articles giving you the lowdown on the scams they use to trick people out of their hard-earned cash - and how to avoid being taken in by them.
This week, we explain how fraudsters are targeting sports fans with fake tickets for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
How does it work?
Keen to attend the Olympic Games in Rio this summer? Well watch out: fraudsters are upping their efforts to trick those trying to buy tickets to Olympic events out of their money.
Security software company Kaspersky Lab has issued a warning after seeing an increase in the number of spam emails being sent out by those touting fake tickets for the Games.
As well as emails, it is warning people to be wary of bogus websites set up to look like legitimate ticket sites.
"We recommend that fans everywhere be very cautious when purchasing tickets or souvenirs," Kaspersky said.
How can I avoid being caught out?
Ways to ensure a ticketing website is legitimate include checking up on the site with the event organiser, promoter or venue and looking into whether the company has a proper UK address and landline phone number, rather than just a PO Box.
Other steps you can take to protect yourself include checking forums to see if other people have had a bad experience with the ticket seller, and paying by credit card if a payment is necessary.
Using a credit card gives you extra protection due to credit card providers being jointly liable if goods or services fail to be delivered (although this is only the case if the ticket or tickets are worth at least £100).
I've been defrauded. What should I do?
If you are caught out by ticketing fraudsters, the first thing to do is report the crime to the police via Action Fraud (0300 123 2040) and get a crime reference number.
If you have made a payment, you should then contact your credit card company (or your bank if you paid by debit card) to see if you can get a refund that way.
