Guides › Tickets and Events › Bought Fake Concert or Event Tickets
Bought Fake Concert or Event Tickets
If you think tickets you bought are fake, report it straight away and tell your bank at once. If you paid by card, your card provider may help through Section 75 or chargeback. If you bought from a STAR member, you can use STAR's complaints procedure.
At a Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
What to Do
Card Provider Help
If you cannot get your money back any other way, check whether your card provider can help, for example through a Section 75 claim for credit card payments over 100 pounds or a chargeback. source
Trading Standards
You can report a seller to Trading Standards if they give wrong or misleading information, use unfair terms or use unfair sales tactics, such as false claims that tickets are almost sold out. source
Buying Resold Tickets
Refunds on Resale Tickets
From resale, secondary, private or fan-to-fan sellers you are unlikely to get a refund, so check the seller's terms and the event or artist's website before you buy. source
Resale Information Rules
When you buy a resold ticket online, the seller and the resale site must give you clear information before you complete the purchase: enough detail to identify the exact seat or standing area, any restrictions on who can use the ticket (such as an age limit or a disabled-only area), the face value printed on the ticket, and any connection between the seller and the resale site or the event organiser (Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 90). source
STAR Complaints Scheme
If the seller is a member of STAR (the Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers), you can use STAR's complaints procedure. STAR members should refund face value if the event is cancelled and the organiser has agreed to refunds. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- Straight awayReport fake ticketsAs soon as you suspect fraud, and tell your bank at once
- Organiser's deadlineAsk for a refund when an event is cancelled or movedBy the organiser's stated deadline, so claim as soon as you hear
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 5
Stop paying and do not send more money to the seller.
Step 2 of 5
Tell your bank or card provider straight away.
Step 3 of 5
Report it to Report Fraud.
Step 4 of 5
If you paid by card, ask about Section 75 or chargeback. If the seller is a STAR member, use STAR's complaints procedure.
Step 5 of 5
Report the seller to Trading Standards through Citizens Advice.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
Report Fraud
You think your tickets were fake or you were scammed. Phone 0300 123 2040, Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm.
Card Provider: Section 75 or Chargeback
You paid by card and cannot get a refund from the seller.
STAR Complaints Procedure
Your ticket seller is a STAR member and has not put it right.
Trading Standards via Citizens Advice
A seller gave misleading information or used unfair sales tactics.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
Buy from the official seller or the event's authorised resale site, and pay by card, not bank transfer.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 12 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/somethings-gone-wrong-with-a-purchase/getting-your-money-back-if-you-paid-by-card-or-paypal Checked 12 October 2026
- citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/event-tickets/getting-a-refund-on-an-event-ticket Checked 12 October 2026
- legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2015/15/section/90/notes Checked 12 October 2026
- reportfraud.police.uk Checked 12 October 2026