NBC 5 Responds to a Growing Number of Fans Reporting Disappearing Ticketmaster Tickets

In recent months, a troubling trend has emerged among concert and sports fans: disappearing tickets from their Ticketmaster accounts. Reports have flooded in from across the country, with fans claiming that thousands of dollars worth of tickets were transferred to other individuals without their consent. This alarming situation has left many feeling vulnerable and frustrated as they scramble to reclaim their hard-earned purchases.

‘MY TICKETS ARE GONE’

Conya Harris-Carter, a devoted fan who secured Usher tickets for herself and her husband back in February, found herself in a panic just days before the concert in Dallas. “I’m really on the edge because I’m like, oh my God, my tickets are gone,” she expressed, recounting her shock upon receiving an email from Ticketmaster customer support on September 21. The email informed her that her digital tickets, valued at over $2,000, were on their way to someone else.

“I immediately looked at the emails like, wait a minute, what? I didn’t transfer my tickets to anybody,” Harris-Carter said, highlighting the confusion and disbelief that followed. When she attempted to log into her Ticketmaster account, she discovered that her password had been changed, preventing her from accessing her tickets. After resetting her password, she was devastated to find that her tickets had indeed been transferred to an unknown individual.

Harris-Carter promptly contacted Ticketmaster customer support the next morning, only to be told that the company would investigate the matter. “I legitimately paid for these and someone has been able to come in and take them,” she lamented.

Courtney Peck, a lifelong New Orleans Saints fan, faced a similar predicament. She was attempting to recover tickets for two upcoming Saints games, valued at around $1,300, when she received a notification that her tickets had been transferred without her permission. “I just want my tickets. It’s not even about the money,” Peck stated. “I just want the assurance that I will get my tickets back, I’ll be at the game in the seats that I chose.”

The issue is not isolated to North Texas. Fans across the nation have reported unauthorized ticket transfers, expressing their devastation and frustration. Breauna Hannon from San Diego shared her heartache, stating, “Oh, I was devastated.” Brenda Azzolino from New Jersey echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the emotional toll of losing hard-earned tickets. Alexandra Passer and Jess Mantione also recounted their experiences, detailing how their tickets vanished in mere minutes.

TICKETMASTER: SECURE FAN EMAIL

In response to the growing concerns, NBC 5 Responds reached out to Ticketmaster for clarification. A spokesperson emphasized that their digital ticketing innovations have significantly reduced fraud compared to the days of paper tickets. They noted that the digital history of tickets allows for investigations and successful returns for fans.

Ticketmaster also urged fans to set strong, unique passwords, particularly for their email accounts, where many security issues originate. The spokesperson acknowledged that Ticketmaster is continuously investing in new security enhancements to protect fans. Earlier this year, Live Nation, Ticketmaster’s parent company, reported unauthorized activity in a third-party cloud database that contained customer information, although they assured that passwords were not exposed.

Live Nation Executive Vice President Dan Wall explained that compromised sign-in credentials from other sources could lead to account takeovers on Ticketmaster. “The reality is that the number one problem with account takeovers for our site or for any other site is old credentials that have been compromised,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of updating passwords regularly.

HOW TO CHECK YOUR ACCOUNT

To safeguard your online accounts, including Ticketmaster, the Identity Theft Resource Center recommends strengthening passwords by incorporating symbols and a mix of upper- and lower-case letters. It’s crucial to avoid using the same password across multiple websites, as this can leave other accounts vulnerable if one is compromised. Enabling two-factor authentication, where available, adds an extra layer of security by requiring a verification code for logins from unfamiliar devices.

“I now know the importance of a strong password,” Peck reflected. “Ticketmaster, I feel, could have done more. They could have done more to notify me. Notify us, I should say, because it’s not just me who’s going through it.”

After NBC 5 Responds intervened on behalf of Harris-Carter and Peck, both fans confirmed that their tickets were restored, and they have since secured their accounts. For those with Ticketmaster accounts, it’s advisable to change your password immediately. You can find instructions for resetting your password on Ticketmaster’s website.

Ensure your new password is strong and unique, and don’t forget to update passwords for your personal email accounts as well.

NBC 5 Responds remains committed to investigating consumer concerns and helping recover lost funds. If you have experienced similar issues, you can reach out to them at 844-5RESPND (844-573-7763) or fill out their customer complaint form online.