£2.5m lost to football ticket scams

New data from Lloyds has shown that thousands of football fans have been scammed, with football fans are being urged to guard to against fraud when buying match tickets for the upcoming Premier League season .

The data reveals that an estimated £2.5 million has been lost to football ticket fraud over the past two years. According to the latest figures, more than 2,400 cases of football ticket fraud were reported by Lloyds customers over the past two seasons, with total losses topping £500,000.

As these numbers are based solely on Lloyds’ own customer data, the bank estimates* that nationally there are likely to have been at least 12,000 victims since the start of the 2023/24 season, with over £2.5 million stolen by fraudsters.

The government has now joined with Lloyds to issue a warning to supporters as part of its Stop! Think Fraud campaign. Led by the Home Office and supported by partners across law enforcement, banking, tech, retail and the charity sector, the campaign empowers individuals and small businesses with the tools and knowledge they need to stay ahead of fraud.

More than three-quarters (76%) of football ticket fraud cases last season started on social media, underlining the need for tech firms to do more to stop the fraudsters operating on their platforms.

Liz Ziegler, Fraud Prevention Director, Lloyds, said “It’s easy to get swept up in the buzz of a new season – but scammers are banking on that excitement. With demand for tickets often outstripping supply, fraudsters know they can trick fans into paying for tickets that simply don’t exist.

“We’re pleased to join forces with Stop! Think Fraud ahead of the big kick-off to help raise awareness of ticket scams and ensure supporters know how to spot them.

“Social media is the main breeding ground for ticket scams and it’s time these firms cracked down on the fraudsters lurking on their platforms.

“Consumers should feel empowered to shop safely online. The best way to avoid ticket scams is to buy directly from clubs or their official partners – and steer clear of deals that look too good to be true.”

Lord Hanson, Minister for Fraud, UK Home Office, said “Fraud is a ruthless crime that preys on our passions, our trust, and our excitement.

“As the nation gears up for the new football season, so too do fraudsters, waiting to take advantage of loyal fans searching for tickets. More than three quarters of football ticket scams last season started on social media, with what seem like genuine ‘first come, first served’ offers all too often designed to rip off desperate fans.

“That’s why we urge all football supporters hunting for tickets to Stop! Think Fraud. Stay alert and only buy directly from the clubs, their official partners and legitimate resale outlets. None of us want to miss a big game, but that will feel ten times worse if you’ve also handed hundreds of pounds to a fraudster for a ticket you’ll never see.”