With the AFL and NRL finals about to kick off and demand for tickets set to surge, the Australian Banking Association is warning footy fans to be on the lookout for scammers.
The ABA is issuing this warning during Scams Awareness Week and as tickets for the AFL finals go on sale from today.
ABA CEO Simon Birmingham said that Australians lost more than $26 million to buying and selling scams last year, with fake tickets among the most common.
"Scammers will take advantage of the hype and passion around footy finals to trick fans into paying for tickets that don't exist," ABA CEO Simon Birmingham said.
"Footy finals tickets can be as rare as hens' teeth, and unfortunately scammers take advantage of this.
"If you are on the hunt for finals tickets, take extra care - the last thing you want is to fall for a dodgy ticket deal.
"No matter how desperate you are for a ticket, always try and buy from official ticketing platforms or authorised resale sites. Be wary of tickets offered from random sellers on social media or through unofficial websites.
"Banks have strengthened protections and are investing heavily in real-time detection and scam-blocking tools to stop money from getting into the wrong hands. However, once you've paid for a dodgy ticket there may be no way to get your money back along with no ticket to the game.
"While banks are working around the clock to stop scammers in their tracks, your best defence is still customer vigilance. A few seconds of caution can save you hundreds of dollars and a ruined finals experience."
Tips to avoid a dodgy ticket deal:
- Official ticketing platforms or authorised resale sites are your safest option.
- Avoid purchasing tickets through social media platforms and online marketplaces where possible.
- Double-check the legitimacy of websites and scrutinise emails or text messages encouraging you to purchase tickets.
- Use secure payment methods and be aware of requests to pay via crypto, a direct bank transfer, or gift cards.
- Report scams immediately to your bank and Scamwatch.gov.au.
