Ahead of Taylor Swift’s California Shows, Attorney General Bonta Warns Californians Against Ticket Scams

Urges consumers to protect themselves from ticket scams and avoid enduring a cruel summer 

OAKLAND — Ahead of Taylor Swift’s tour stops in California, California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued a consumer alert warning fans and concert-goers against counterfeit concert tickets and scammers. Ticket scams are an issue that consumers know all too well: From January 2022 through February 2023, the Better Business Bureau received 16,884 total complaints regarding ticket sales — including concerts and sporting events. In today’s alert, Attorney General Bonta reminds Californians to exercise caution in their online transactions and provides tips to avoid falling victim to ticket scams.

“Too often, bad actors take advantage of highly sought-after concert tickets and strip fans of their hard-earned money,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Whether you attend a Taylor Swift concert or another event, avoid enduring a cruel summer by following the tips we provide. If you have fallen victim to a scam or suspect fraudulent activity, you don't need to feel ashamed — you should speak now. You can file a report with my office at oag.ca.gov/report as well as the Better Business Bureau and the FBI’s Internet Complaint Center.”

Protect Yourself from Ticket Scams: 

• Purchase tickets from authorized vendors: When possible, always purchase your tickets directly from the official website or at the box office to confirm the ticket's authenticity.
• Know the refund policy: Before purchasing third-party resale tickets, look into the reseller’s refund policy and whether they offer a guarantee regarding the authenticity and timely arrival of the tickets.
• Protect your personal information: Never provide personal information, such as your social security number or bank account number to prevent financial loss and fraud.
• Verify the web address safety: Double check the website URL by ensuring the link starts with “https://” and has a padlock icon to ensure your credit card and billing information remain safe.
• Do your research: Search for online reviews regarding the seller and any potential customer complaints for prior scams.
• Use secure payment methods: Consider using your credit card to ensure that you have an opportunity to dispute fraudulent charges. Additionally, avoid using instant payment platforms like Zelle, Venmo, and Cash App, or you could risk never getting your money back.
• Be wary of overly discounted tickets: Be extra cautious with low-priced and/or hard-to-get tickets. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is.

If you have been a victim of a ticket scam, don’t just shake it off. You can file a complaint with the California Department of Justice at oag.ca.gov/report. Alternatively, you can report the incident to the Better Business Bureau and the FBI’s Internet Complaint Center.

Attorney General Bonta is committed to maintaining a safe and transparent marketplace for California consumers. In February, Attorney General Bonta sponsored Senate Bill 478, landmark legislation seeking to further strengthen California law prohibiting the practice of hiding mandatory fees, also known as junk fees. Junk fees have become a deceptive way of charging additional fees for a variety of goods and services including lodging, tickets for live events, restaurants and food delivery, and internet service. This proposed legislation would complement current California false advertising laws, which provide the Attorney General and local prosecutors with the ability to hold accountable those who use this bait and switch practice against consumers.