Music fans are being warned about the growing threat of ticket scams after new research revealed victims can lose an average of £1,295 once hidden costs are taken into account.
The findings come ahead of a huge summer of concerts and festivals across the UK, with millions expected to attend live events over the coming months.
According to research from Monzo, nearly one in three people (30%) who have fallen victim to ticket fraud only discovered they had been scammed when they arrived at the venue and were turned away at the gates.
The real cost goes far beyond the ticket
While many people focus on the price of the ticket itself, the research found the biggest losses often come from the additional expenses that surround a concert or festival.
Among people who were scammed:
- 32% lost money on travel, transport, hotels or accommodation
- 28% lost money on food and restaurant bookings
- 24% lost money spent on clothes bought for the event
- 23% lost money on childcare, pet care or time booked off work
- 39% spent even more money trying to salvage their plans with alternative activities
When all these costs are added together, victims lose an average of £1,295.
Monzo says almost 700 of its customers every month reported being affected by ticket scams during 2025.
Meanwhile, figures from Action Fraud show reported losses from ticket fraud rose by 47% to £9.8 million in 2024.
The problem is expected to worsen over the summer as millions of fans compete for tickets to major concerts and festivals.
Scammers using AI to trick buyers
The research also suggests fraudsters are becoming increasingly sophisticated.
Among people who were scammed through social media, 42% said they were convinced by sellers using AI-powered tactics such as realistic profiles, generated images and voice notes.
More than half of Brits (53%) admitted they are not confident they could spot a fake ticket seller online.
Young people appear particularly vulnerable, with Monzo data showing under-21s are twice as likely to experience ticket fraud compared with the average adult.
Researchers found many victims were pressured into making quick decisions because of fears tickets would sell out.
More than a quarter (28%) cited "limited-time" pressure, while 23% said fear of missing out played a role in their decision.
Rich Bromley, Director of Fraud at Monzo, said: "Fraudsters are really good at playing on the fear of missing out. They know how much these events mean to fans, and they're increasingly using tech like AI to exploit it."
He added: "What's really tough is that people aren't just losing the ticket money, they're losing the money they spent on hotels, travel, childcare and ultimately, the experience of seeing their favourite artist."
5 warning signs every ticket buyer should know
Monzo has issued a checklist to help people avoid becoming victims this summer.
1. Be wary of social media messages
Experts warn that legitimate artists, venues and promoters rarely sell tickets through private messages. Unsolicited offers should be treated with caution.
2. Use official ticket sellers
Only buy through trusted ticket exchanges, official promoters or authorised resale platforms.
3. Avoid bank transfers
Fraudsters often insist on direct bank transfers because payments are much harder to recover if something goes wrong.
4. Question cheap deals
If tickets are being offered well below market value, it could be a sign of fraud.
5. Trust your instincts
If something feels suspicious, stop the transaction and do further checks before sending money.
With a packed summer of concerts ahead, experts are urging fans to take extra care when buying tickets online, as the true cost of a scam can be far higher than the price printed on the ticket.
Harry Styles tickets are still available
According to Gilad Zilberman, CEO of SeatPick, some genuine tickets are available - but many are single seats.
"Personal experiences are becoming a priority, not group convenience," he said. "The flexibility of going alone means you can act fast, or get a single resale ticket from someone who can't attend. It can be the difference between going and not."
For fans still hoping to attend Harry Styles' Wembley Stadium shows this summer, SeatPick says some single tickets remain available from as little as £18.
The company says solo concertgoers are often in a stronger position to secure last-minute tickets, as individual seats are more likely to become available than pairs or larger groups.
So while ticket scammers may be targeting desperate fans, experts say those willing to go it alone could find themselves with more ticket options - and a memorable night out.
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