Police warn against ticket touts over 'incredibly depressing' surge pricing for Oasis
The Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy says saying surge pricing will be included in a planned review of the secondary gig sales market
Last updated 2nd Sep 2024
Police forces across the South West are warning of ticket touts - as the Culture Secretary has called the inflated selling of Oasis tickets "incredibly depressing".
Lisa Nandy has revealed surge pricing would be included in a Government review of the secondary gig sales market.
Before the furore from Oasis fans over standard tickets more than doubling from £148 to £355 on Ticketmaster, the Government had pledged to "bring in protections to stop people being ripped off by touts".
On Sunday, Ms Nandy released a statement saying: "After the incredible news of Oasis' return, it's depressing to see vastly inflated prices excluding ordinary fans from having a chance of enjoying their favourite band live.
"This Government is committed to putting fans back at the heart of music. So we will include issues around the transparency and use of dynamic pricing, including the technology around queuing systems which incentivise it, in our forthcoming consultation on consumer protections for ticket resales.
"Working with artists, industry and fans we can create a fairer system that ends the scourge of touts, rip-off resales and ensures tickets at fair prices."
Government minister Lucy Powell was among those hit by dynamic pricing on Saturday, and eventually forked out more than double the original quoted cost of a ticket for an Oasis show.
Fans called the "in-demand" pricing both "sickening" and "scandalous".
Police forces here in the South West are also warning against buying tickets on the secondary market, with officers in Wiltshire saying 'you’ll be “half the world away” from the gig if you buy scam tickets'.
'Beware of social media scams'
They said: "You’ll be “half the world away” from the gig if you buy scam tickets.
"Beware of social media scams offering resale tickets for Oasis concert.
"Scammers often reply to social posts from people looking for tickets."
'Only use reputable ticket sites'
Devon and Cornwall Police have also been sharing their advice.
Detective Inspector Daniel Parkinson of the Serious Organised Crime Branch said: “It is common for fraudsters to use popular events, like this one, to exploit eager fans and, sadly, thousands of people across the UK fall victim to ticket scams each year.
“We expect Oasis tickets to be in high demand, so, if you’re hoping to buy tickets this weekend, please follow our advice and only use reputable ticket sites.”
“We expect Oasis tickets to be in high demand, so, if you’re hoping to buy tickets this weekend, please follow our advice and only use reputable ticket sites.”
They've published some advice for fans on how to get legitimate tickets, and what not to do when buying tickets:
- Use official channels: Only purchase tickets from the band's official website or authorised ticket vendors
- Check the venue: Visit the official website of the concert venue for ticket information and links to authorised sellers
- Use secure payment methods: Pay with a credit card or PayPal for added protection
- Be realistic about prices: If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is
- Be aware of re-sale tickets: Nearer to the event, fraudsters may post on social media sites advertising tickets. They may claim to “have spares” or that they “cannot attend due to illness”. Be aware that these tickets may not be genuine and your payment will not be protected
- Do not buy from unverified sources: Avoid purchasing tickets from unofficial websites, social media posts, or classified ads
- Never pay by bank transfer: Legitimate ticketing platforms don't ask for direct bank transfers
- Do not click on suspicious links: Be wary of emails or texts with links to ticket sales - they may be phishing scams
- Avoid sharing personal information: Don't give out personal information or financial details unless you're certain that the seller is legitimate
- Do not rush into a purchase: Scammers often create a false sense of urgency. Take your time to verify the seller
- Do not post images of your tickets online as they can be replicated or used to scam another buyer
There's plenty more information on the Action Fraud website of checking for ticket fraud.
Ticketmaster said it does not set prices, and its website says this is down to the "event organiser" who "has priced these tickets according to their market value".
Lots of fans also missed out on the reunion tour tickets as they battled with website issues, and being mislabelled as bots, before Oasis announced all 17 shows had sold out.
However, Ticketmaster maintained its website had not crashed, and directed customers to clear cookies and to only use one tab.
House of Commons leader and Lord President of the Council Ms Powell said she ended up buying two tickets for £350 each for Heaton Park in July, which were originally quoted at £148.50, not including a booking fee of £2.75.
It is believed the ticket prices for Oasis gigs were set by promoters.
The band's promoters, Manchester-based SJM Concerts, Irish MCD and Scottish DF Concerts & Events have all been approached for comment.
Brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher confirmed their reunion on Tuesday following the end of their more than a decade long acrimonious split.
There has also been concern about the non-official sellers Viagogo, which on Sunday had a seat at Wembley on July 25 listed at £5,289.
The secondary seller has defended the practice saying fans sell the tickets, and its global managing director added: "Resale is legal in the UK and fans are always protected by our guarantee that they will receive their tickets in time for the event or their money back."
Oasis has told followers that Ticketmaster and Twickets should only be used for resales, and put up for prices at "face value", otherwise they will be "cancelled by the promoters".
Oasis have also been contacted for comment.