Charlotte Residents Warn of Ticket Scams as Concert Excitement Grows

Charlotte Residents Warn of Ticket Scams Amid Exciting Concert Season

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — With the buzz building for the Concert for Carolina at the popular Bank of America Stadium, many fans are eagerly securing their tickets to support those impacted by the recent storm Helene. However, as excitement grows, so does the opportunity for scammers looking to take advantage of unsuspecting concert-goers.

Recently, a Charlotte couple found themselves caught in a web of ticket fraud, and their experience serves as a cautionary tale for anyone looking to purchase tickets online.

Mason Snyder was thrilled when he decided to buy tickets for his and his wife’s long-awaited concert to see Post Malone. He recalled, “We got really excited. Got some seats for me and my wife. My tickets were probably about $300 to $350 for the two of them. We were really looking forward to going to the show.” Unfortunately, what followed was anything but smooth sailing.

Just last Thursday, while sitting at his office, Mason received a surprising email notification stating that “your ticket transfer had been initiated.” Confused, he quickly logged into his Ticketmaster account only to find that he hadn’t initiated any transfer. “I logged in and canceled the transfer and changed my password, but I was kicked out after the third time trying,” he explained.

As the investigation continued, another email arrived confirming that the ticket transfer had been completed. “By the time I got back in, the tickets were gone,” he expressed, frustration evident in his voice.

Determined to reclaim their tickets, Mason reached out to Ticketmaster for assistance. However, he quickly discovered that getting help wouldn’t be easy. He explained, “I waited on the phone for a total of five hours. I tried to go the path of getting a supervisor and they said it would take 24 to 48 hours and they’d call me back. They never got back to me at the time.”

Fast forward to the day of the concert, and Mason checked his Ticketmaster app only to find his tickets finally uploaded back into his account. “I got an email the day after the concert saying, ‘Hey, we got your tickets back to you,’” he shared. “I guess, thanks for the late notice.”

This scenario raises an important question: how can fans protect themselves against such predicaments? Ticketmaster commented on the situation, stating, “Overall, our digital ticketing innovations have greatly reduced fraud compared to the days of paper tickets and duplicated PDFs.” The company emphasized the need for concert-goers to set a strong, unique password for all their accounts – especially their personal email accounts where security issues often start.

Mason also took matters into his own hands, saying, “I changed my password to something so secure that no one better find out what that password is.”

As the excitement ramps up for live music events this season, it’s crucial for fans across the Carolinas to stay vigilant and informed. Scammers are always on the lookout for new opportunities across every industry, and ticket sales are no exception, as they’re viewed as valuable targets.

In light of Mason’s experience, potential concert-goers are encouraged to double-check ticket sources, employ strong passwords, and stay alert for suspicious activity on their accounts. After all, the thrill of enjoying a live concert should not come with the stress of potential scams.

For those eager to catch the Concert for Carolina, ensure that your ticket purchase is safe and sound so that you can focus on enjoying the music and supporting a great cause!