HSBC has issued an alert to customers purchasing tickets for festivals, concerts, or sporting events. With 2026 well underway, many people are organising their year – and eyeing up their next events. While these occasions are usually exciting, the bank has cautioned that ‘criminals are targeting event tickets.’
In a message sent to customers, HSBC said: « We all know that tickets to festivals, concerts and sporting events don’t come cheap. So, it can be tempting when you spot a deal on one. But if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. » The bank explained that common ticket scams include:
- Selling tickets that don’t exist
- Selling a real e-ticket multiple times
- Making and selling fake tickets
- Scammers pretending to be friends who are selling tickets
- Fake websites trying to get payments
HSBC also shared information about ticket fraud on its website, which includes a webpage dedicated to scam warnings. The latest update in January 2026 highlighted the risks of ticket fraud and warned anyone purchasing event tickets this month.
The bank explained that criminals often target people online. HSBC explained: « If you buy from unofficial sources, you could be a victim of fraud. Criminals typically pose as a seller and post on social media or an online marketplace.
« They’ll tell you they’ll post or email the tickets once you’ve transferred the money to their bank account. But when you try to contact them after nothing’s arrived, they’ve disappeared off the face of the earth. This happens to thousands of music, sports and other fans every year who get tricked into buying fake or non-existent tickets. »
However, HSBC shared several tips customers can use to ‘beat the criminals’. According to the bank, customers should only buy tickets from the box office or official sellers, reports the Mirror.
When making an online purchase, the bank says it’s important to double-check that the website is legitimate and never pay for tickets by bank transfer. Before making a purchase, check the privacy and returns policies, and keep any confirmation or receipt until the event has finished.
HSBC also advises against clicking on email or social media links offering tickets, as they may lead to harmful websites. HSBC says anyone who thinks they have been scammed should report the incident to their bank and use Report Fraud online or call 0300 123 2040.
The HSBC webpage raises awareness of other common scams, including driving test scams, job scams, messaging scams, and romance scams, underscoring the importance of remaining vigilant and contacting your bank for advice if you have any concerns or think someone may be trying to scam you.
More advice on the latest scams can also be found on the bank’s social media pages, as criminals regularly devise new tactics to target members of the public.
