Festival goers are just days away from trying to clinch arguably the most sought-after tickets in the music industry: Glastonbury. With fans more excited than ever after the fallow year, consumer scam protection experts at TrendLife are warning them not to let dancing fever cloud their judgement.
As tickets break the £400 mark for the first time, scammers will look to exploit desperation with impersonated websites when fans register or attempt to join the ticket queue.
The rise of generative AI is making matters worse. Fraudsters can now create realistic fake websites and promotional content faster and at greater scale than ever before, making it increasingly difficult for fans to tell the difference between legitimate tickets and sophisticated scams.
TrendLife’s UK research highlights how easily consumers can fall victim to online scams when searching for deals or buying from unfamiliar sellers:
● When the warning comes too late: 22% of scam victims only realised they had been scammed when what they purchased never arrived, while just 18% were alerted by their bank or credit card company
● The added risk of AI: Only 22% of Brits are very or extremely confident that they can identify an AI-generated scam or deepfake
● Scams hiding in plain sight: Email (49%) and social media (25%) are among the most common places where Brits say they encounter suspected scams online
● A willingness to take a chance: 37% of UK consumers admit they would buy from a brand or retailer they’ve never heard of if the price was right, widening the attack surface for scammers
● Low concern levels: Only 8% of UK respondents say they are very concerned about being targeted by online scams, despite the increasing sophistication of cybercriminals
With Glastonbury’s ticket process being more controlled than others, Brett Parker, Consumer Partnerships Lead at TrendLife, provides step-by-step advice for fans after a ticket:
● Go directly to the official site. Start at Glastonbury’s official website and follow its links to register or buy tickets. Avoid clicking ticket links in unsolicited emails, social media posts or messages, even if they appear legitimate
● Keep your registration details secure. Everyone buying a ticket must be registered and will have their own registration number and registered postcode. Be wary of anyone offering to sell you their registration details or ticket – Glastonbury tickets are personalised and strictly non-transferable
● Check the website before you pay. Official Glastonbury tickets are sold exclusively through glastonbury.seetickets.com. If you are directed to another website to complete your ticket purchase, stop and check the URL before entering any personal or payment information
● Only use the official resale. Returned or cancelled tickets are made available through Glastonbury’s official resale when it opens. Do not buy tickets through social media, online marketplaces or unofficial resale sites
● Contact your bank immediately if you entered card details. If you’ve already provided payment information on a site you’re now unsure about, call the number on the back of your card right away. Your bank can block the card and help you take next steps
● Use security tools. TrendLife’s ScamCheck can help you verify whether a link or website is legitimate before you share any personal or payment information
“As an ex-musician myself, I know just how special Glastonbury is for music fans. But wherever there’s excitement, urgency and high demand, scammers won’t be far behind,” said Parker.
“Fraudsters know fans are desperate not to miss out on seeing their favourite artists and will use that excitement against them. If someone claims to have a ticket they can transfer directly, pressures you to pay quickly or sends you away from official ticketing channels, that’s a major red flag. AI is making these scams even more convincing, helping fraudsters create fake websites, adverts and messages that can look legitimate at first glance.
“The best way to stay safe is to slow down, stick to official sources and take a few moments to verify before you buy. Glastonbury tickets are personalised and non-transferable, so fans should only purchase tickets or official resales through the festival’s authorised ticketing site. A little caution now is far better than arriving at the festival gates and discovering the ticket you paid for was never yours.”
