Big tours sell out in minutes, and frustrated fans turn to resale sites, social media and strangers online. That is exactly where scammers wait: fake tickets, duplicate tickets, or tickets that never arrive. Here is how to get into the show without losing your money.
Where to buy, from safest to riskiest
| Source | Risk level | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Official ticket seller or venue box office | Lowest | Use the link from the artist’s or venue’s official site |
| Official fan-to-fan resale platform | Low | Tickets are reissued to you; prices may be capped by the event |
| Major resale marketplaces | Medium | Buyer guarantees exist, but prices can be far above face value |
| Social media, classifieds, strangers | Highest | Most ticket scams happen here |
Red flags of a ticket scam
- Prices far below what the event is selling for
- Seller asks for e-Transfer, gift cards, crypto or wire transfer only
- Screenshots or PDFs of tickets instead of an official transfer
- Pressure to pay immediately because others are interested
- New or empty social media profiles
- Websites with misspelled names or unusual domains
How to buy safely
- Sign up for presales through the artist, venue or your credit card for a better shot at face-value tickets.
- Pay by credit card, which may allow a chargeback if tickets never arrive.
- Insist on an official ticket transfer through the ticketing app.
- Check the all-in price, including fees, before checkout.
- Never send money to strangers by e-Transfer for tickets; payments are hard to reverse. Learn why in our guide to instant payment scams.
Rules vary by province
Some provinces have rules on ticket resale, such as limits on resale above face value or requirements to disclose the original price. Check your provincial consumer protection office before buying or reselling.
If you have been scammed
- Contact your bank or card issuer immediately.
- Report the seller to the platform.
- Report fraud to local police and to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
- Keep screenshots of messages, listings and payment details.
Ticket fraud is one form of online shopping fraud; read our full guide on how to spot and avoid online shopping scams and protect your accounts with two-factor authentication, since hijacked ticketing accounts are another common trick. Going to a show in Toronto? Find local event news on Toronto GTA News.
FAQ
Are resale tickets legal in Canada?
Generally yes, but provinces set their own rules, and events may restrict transfers.
Can I get my money back for a cancelled show?
Usually from the original seller according to their refund policy. Resale purchases depend on the platform’s guarantee.
Is a screenshot of a ticket valid?
Often not. Many tickets now use rotating barcodes that only work inside the official app.
