The Better Business Bureau serving Acadiana is warning of a scam involving fake events. Be careful if see an unbelievable deal to a concert or festival, because it could be a fake.
The way the scam works is usually through a Social media link or online ad. If you click it, it takes you to a professional looking website. The deal could involve live music, cheap meals, beer or some other fun activity. The deal ends up being fake and the event is nonexistent. This scam has tricked several people in the Acadiana area. Most who have bought fake tickets to fake events and were unable to get their money back.
Here’s how to protect yourself and your money according to the BBB.
Always do your research. If a deal sounds too good to be true, it could be scam. Do online searches! Type the name of the event that is being advertised and see if it is real. Scammer will try to use names that sound similar to an actual festival. Also double check the contact information and see if the phone numbers work. Compare prices. If the price is way below the normal price, it is probably fake.
Now, after if you have thoroughly researched the event, you feel confident the event is real, and you want to buy a ticket, take the safer route and use a credit card. If it turns out to be fake, you can dispute the charges. It is always a red flag, if the seller does not accept credit cards. Also, when examining the website, look for a secure site. A secure site will begin with https (the extra s equals secure and will also have a lock symbol.)
The BBB also suggests to avoid buying tickets sold on Craiglists, Facebook or any free website. Scammers are quite talented at making fake events looks legitimate.
Report a fake event or concert to the BBB. This will help protect others in the future.
Please contact Better Business Bureau at bbb.org or (337) 981-3497 24 hours a day for information on businesses throughout North America.
BBB Serving Acadiana services the parishes of Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Martin, St. Landry and Vermilion.
Source: BBB Serving Acadiana