Safety When Buying Tickets

✨🎫 Festival Ticket Resale Advice 🎫✨

Festival season is fast approaching, and with it comes the need to be extra cautious when buying tickets from resellers. Fraud is rampant in the secondary ticket market, so it's crucial to protect yourself from losing money. Below are some essential tips to keep in mind when purchasing tickets this season:

💰 Use PayPal Goods & Services 💰

If possible, always use **PayPal Goods & Services**. This is one of the few ways to get your money back if a purchase goes wrong. It’s our main recommendation for ticket transactions because it offers important buyer protection. Be sure to avoid sending money through PayPal Friends & Family, as it does not offer the same security.

✅ Proof of Purchase ✅

We’re now entering the second year of disrupted festival schedules. **Make sure** the person you’re buying from has the ticket in their name. Verify that they aren’t selling you a ticket that belongs to someone else. Always ask for proof of purchase and cross-check the details to ensure it’s legitimate.

❓ Why Use PayPal Goods & Services? ❓

PayPal Goods & Services offers protection for up to **180 days** (although this could have changed due to the pandemic). After that period, if you find out the ticket is fraudulent, you won’t be covered. With fraud on the rise, it’s important to take extra precautions:

**Update your passwords** regularly.

- If you don’t have recurring payments linked to your PayPal, avoid leaving a card attached unless you can monitor your account closely.

✔️ Check the Seller's Profile ✔️

Before purchasing, always check the seller’s profile for signs of legitimacy:

- **Rave photos**: While not everyone who attends festivals posts photos, it’s a good sign if they have festival-related content.

- **Mutual friends**: Look for mutual connections that might vouch for their reliability.

- **Avoid unsolicited messages**: Be cautious of profiles that message you first offering tickets, especially if you didn’t request them.

- **New profiles**: Be wary of accounts created recently, as they might not be trustworthy.

⚠️**Note**⚠️:

These are just guidelines—none of these points alone means someone is untrustworthy. Some individuals simply choose not to use PayPal, and while PayPal offers the best safeguard for ticket transactions, it's not perfect. The platform does have flaws, and its customer service can be lacking.

🔄 Ticket Transfers 🔄

Registering a wristband under your name **does not** transfer the ticket to you. The original buyer can report the ticket as lost and receive a new wristband, which would deactivate any previous wristbands.

Make sure the ticket is **fully transferred to your name** whenever possible. Always check with the festival for specific instructions on how to do this. We’ll also post updates on the ticket transfer process as we learn more.

🚫 Zelle – Only for Trusted People 🚫

Zelle is meant for sending money to friends, family, and people you trust. If the person you’re buying from isn’t in one of those categories, **avoid using Zelle**—especially for large amounts of money.

Here’s why: **Zelle does not provide buyer protection**. Once you send money, it’s like handing over cash. The bank won’t refund you because Zelle requires you to confirm that you trust the person before sending payment.

**Red flags when using Zelle:**

- 🚩 Asking for a large amount of money via Zelle

- 🚩 No profile picture

- 🚩 No mutual connections or friends

- 🚩 A name mismatch between their account and the ticket seller’s information

**Green flags:**

- 🟩 The seller offers **PayPal Goods & Services**.

- 🟩 The seller has **trusted mutual connections**.

- 🟩 The seller is willing to make you feel comfortable and secure with the transaction.

⚠️ Note on Venmo ⚠️

**Venmo Goods & Services** does **not** provide protection for festival or concert tickets. Stick with PayPal Goods & Services if you want reliable buyer protection.

Stay Safe Festival Fam ✨

By following these guidelines and staying cautious, you can enjoy the excitement of the festival season while minimizing the risk of getting scammed. Trust your instincts, and always prioritize your safety and security in ticket transactions.

Have any other tips or suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Send us a message.

Stay safe out there, and have an unforgettable festival season! ✨🎶

- Ellie B.