Surrey Police share top tips to avoid being a victim of Fraud
In the lead up to the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, Surrey Police took to their social media to warn people of the risk of potential ticket fraud for busy or in-demand events, such as the Cazoo Derby at Epsom Downs Racecourse.
Fraud is the act of obtaining money or financial gain from deceiving someone, which can be in many forms.
Bernadette Lawrie, the Financial Abuse Safeguarding Officer for Sussex and Surrey Police, said that there has been a slight increase in fraud.
She said:
"Ticketing fraud is something we are seeing on the increase, partly because we actually saw a decrease over the pandemic, whereas now, events are back up and running.
"People are trying to snap up those tickets which are often sold out quite quickly. Our real advice is just to be really, really aware.
"Scammers will offer tickets that aren't available or have already been sold out and they can impersonate anyone with a fake website with a glossy looking cover."
"We really warn people that if you get an offer for a ticket online or in an email then be really aware because you should only be buying from a legitimate site and not clicking on links that are being sent to you as such.
"Anything that looks too good to be true probably is.
"Also really look out for how you're being asked to pay. People who are scamming you will often ask you to pay by bank transfer and not via the secure payment methods that are recommended."
Bernadette also shared advice on what to look out for on websites:
"They will clone websites, so they will make something look completely genuine, but there will be subtle changes to the URL.
"Always do that extra bit of research to satisfy yourself that you are actually dealing with a legitimate site."
Another warning is to be aware of purchasing tickets and being told to meet a company representative at the event to collect them.
"So they've paid upfront for a ticket, they'll turn up without the ticket expecting to meet someone on the day, and invariably they don't show up."
Tickets that are often offered from those committing fraud are usually in-demand events. If tickets are sold out people are being warned to not buy them unless they are certain they aren't fake.
If you are concerned you may have been a victim of any form of fraud, you can report it by calling Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040, or by reporting it on their website at https://reporting.actionfraud.police.uk/login