AUSTIN – Ticketmaster Struggles with Unauthorized Transfers of Concert Tickets
In recent weeks, numerous concertgoers in Austin and across the country have reported alarming instances of unauthorized ticket transfers from their Ticketmaster accounts. One Austin resident, Emiley Parker, is among those experiencing this troubling issue.
Emiley Parker purchased tickets for four concerts this fall at the Moody Center and the Moody Amphitheater. She was excited to see popular artists like Vampire Weekend, Kacey Musgraves, Interpol, and Air. However, her excitement turned to panic when she received emails from Ticketmaster stating that her tickets had been transferred to a stranger.
The Panic of Losing Tickets
“I started freaking out because the concert is next week,” Parker shared. “I had bought the tickets for me and my friends. I’m like, ‘What am I going to do?’”
Parker soon discovered that her exact seats were being sold on Ticketmaster’s website for resale. Concerned for her friends who were also supposed to attend, she immediately reached out to Ticketmaster and began researching online to see if others were facing the same problem. To her dismay, she found numerous reports from users nationwide in states like North Texas, New York, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Chicago detailing similar experiences.
A Growing Concern
Parker learned that she wasn’t alone in her struggle. As she read through comments online, it became clear that many individuals were left in similar situations, with some unable to retrieve their tickets before the concert, and others desperately seeking refunds. “I really don’t want to miss the concert. Like, you wait in line to get these tickets to get the perfect seat,” she expressed. “I just want my seats that I paid for and waited to get for these different concerts.”
In an effort to recover her tickets, Parker took a proactive approach after seeing tips on social media suggesting that contacting local news stations could help expedite the process. Following this advice, she reached out to a news outlet for assistance.
Ticketmaster Responds
After inquiries were made, Ticketmaster was able to restore Parker’s tickets to her account. The company explained in a statement that their “digital tracking innovations” have played a significant role in reducing fraud compared to previous methods using paper and PDF tickets. This technology not only helps in preventing unauthorized transfers but also aids in investigating issues and restoring tickets to rightful owners.
According to a spokesperson for Ticketmaster, “Scammers are looking for new cheats across every industry, and tickets will always be a target because they are valuable…” Ticketmaster emphasized that they are continually investing in security enhancements to protect fans.
Advice for Users
In light of these incidents, a representative from the Moody Center urged ticket buyers to regularly change their passwords and use strong, unique passwords for their accounts to safeguard their information. “It’s vital to have different passwords for accounts like email and Ticketmaster,” they advised.
Fortunately, many ticket sellers like Ticketmaster are successful in restoring tickets to rightful owners and offer guidance on how to avoid potential scams and fake tickets when making purchases.
Legal Scrutiny and Challenges
This incident comes amidst broader scrutiny of Ticketmaster. Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Ticketmaster and its parent company Live Nation, accusing the organization of monopolization within the live entertainment industry. The lawsuit follows considerable fan frustration over ticket sales, as seen during the chaotic sellout of Taylor Swift‘s Eras Tour.
Additionally, in April and May of this year, Ticketmaster reported a data breach that exposed customers’ personal information, further complicating its reputation.
As Emiley Parker prepares for her upcoming concerts, she is relieved to have her tickets back in her account but hopes that this situation will lead to improved security measures for all concertgoers. As more fans speak out about these issues, awareness highlights the importance of online safety in the ticket buying process.
