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Ticketmaste Uk

Ticketmaster UK Fined Over £1.5 Million for Failing to Protect Customers from Fraudulent Resale Websites

Background

In March 2023, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced that it had fined Ticketmaster UK £1.5 million for failing to protect customers from fraudulent resale websites. The CMA found that Ticketmaster UK had allowed touts to use its website to sell tickets at inflated prices, often to unsuspecting customers who were unaware that they were dealing with a third-party seller.

The CMA also found that Ticketmaster UK had failed to take adequate steps to prevent touts from using its website. For example, Ticketmaster UK did not require touts to provide proof of identity or to register their businesses with the company. As a result, touts were able to create multiple accounts on Ticketmaster UK's website and use bots to purchase tickets in bulk.

The CMA's Investigation

The CMA's investigation into Ticketmaster UK began in 2021 following a complaint from a consumer who had been sold a fraudulent ticket for a concert. The CMA's investigation found that Ticketmaster UK had been aware of the problem of touting on its website for several years, but had failed to take adequate steps to address it.

The CMA also found that Ticketmaster UK had made it difficult for customers to get a refund if they had bought a fraudulent ticket. In some cases, customers were told that they would only be able to get a refund if they could provide proof that they had been the victim of fraud.

The CMA's Findings

The CMA found that Ticketmaster UK had breached competition law by failing to protect customers from fraudulent resale websites. The CMA also found that Ticketmaster UK had breached consumer protection law by making it difficult for customers to get a refund if they had bought a fraudulent ticket.

The CMA's findings are a significant victory for consumers. They show that the CMA is prepared to take action against companies that fail to protect their customers from fraud.

What Ticketmaster UK Needs to Do

The CMA has ordered Ticketmaster UK to take a number of steps to address the problems that it has identified. These steps include:

• Requiring touts to provide proof of identity and to register their businesses with the company.
• Using bots to detect and prevent touts from using its website.
• Making it easier for customers to get a refund if they have bought a fraudulent ticket.

Ticketmaster UK has said that it will comply with the CMA's orders.

What Consumers Can Do

Consumers can take a number of steps to protect themselves from fraudulent resale websites. These steps include:

• Only buying tickets from authorized sellers.
• Being wary of websites that offer tickets at significantly below face value.
• Using a credit card to buy tickets, as this will give you some protection if you are the victim of fraud.
• Reporting any suspected fraudulent activity to the CMA.

By following these steps, consumers can help to protect themselves from fraud and ensure that they get the tickets they want for the events they want to attend.