Buying tickets from other people can feel risky: you see amazing deals on flights, concerts, football matches or festivals… but you also hear horror stories about fake tickets, blocked entries and lost money.

Ticket fraud is growing fast. In the UK alone, fans lost over £1.6 million to ticket scams in 2024, with many cases linked to social media and unofficial resale sites.

The good news? With a few simple checks—and by using a trusted resale marketplace like Ticketoja—you can dramatically reduce your risk and enjoy your event with peace of mind.

In this guide, we’ll go through how to safely buy resale tickets in 2025 step by step.

Why resale tickets are so popular now

Resale tickets are huge right now, and it’s not hard to see why:

• Sold-out events: Big tours and festivals sell out in minutes, so fans turn to resale.
• Last-minute plans: People decide to travel or go to a show at the last moment.
• Changing plans: Someone can’t attend anymore and wants to get their money back instead of wasting the ticket.

Resale itself isn’t the problem. The problem is where and how you buy.

If you buy from a random stranger in DMs, it’s just you vs them. If something goes wrong, you have almost no protection.

If you buy through a structured marketplace like Ticketoja, you get:

• Clear ticket information.
• Secure, traceable payments.
• A platform you can actually contact if there’s a problem.

That’s the difference.

The most common ticket scams in 2025

Scammers keep getting more creative, but most tricks fall into a few categories.

1. Fake or cloned tickets

Scammers create very realistic fake tickets using stolen designs, logos and QR codes. Sometimes they buy one real ticket, then sell multiple copies of the same code. Only the first person at the gate gets in; everyone else is rejected.

2. Fake websites and event pages

You click an ad on social media and end up on a professional-looking page for a “festival” or “lantern event”. You pay… and discover the event never existed. Authorities have reported scams like this with fake lantern festivals promoted via polished websites and social media ads.

3. Social media “resellers” in DMs

This is one of the biggest problems right now. A “seller” posts in a group or on Instagram:

“2 tickets for tonight – can’t go anymore, DM me”

You send money by bank transfer or a P2P app…
Then:

• They block you.
• Or they send a fake screenshot.
• Or the ticket is real but has already been sold to someone else.

4. Prices that are too good (or too crazy)

Both extremes are red flags:

• Super cheap: Huge discount vs the official price → often fake.
• Super expensive: You pay way over face value and still risk the ticket being invalid or not transferred correctly.

7 checks before you buy any resale ticket

Before you send a single euro, go through this quick checklist.

1. Check the website domain carefully

If you’re on a website:

• Is the URL spelled correctly (no “ticketojaa” or “ticketoia”)?
• Does it use HTTPS?
• Does it look like a serious business, or like it was built yesterday?

Many fraud cases start on sites that look official but have slightly off names and poor details.

2. Look for real company info and contact details

Scroll to the footer or “Contact” page:

• Is there a real address?
• Is there company information, VAT, or registration details?
• Is support reachable by email or form?

Total mystery = big risk.

3. Research reviews and social media

Search:

• website name + reviews
• website name + scam

Look on Google, Trustpilot, Reddit, TikTok, Instagram comments.

If you’re buying via a marketplace, check how long it has been active and what users say. Organizers and consumer groups often recommend sticking to known resale platforms because they have better protection for buyers.

4. Don’t buy if payment is only bank transfer

Bank transfers are hard (or impossible) to reverse if something goes wrong.
Consumer advice services and banks strongly warn: avoid paying strangers by bank transfer when shopping online.

Safer options include:

• Credit/debit cards (often extra protection via your bank).
• Reputable processors (Stripe, etc.).
• Payment services with buyer protection (e.g. PayPal Goods & Services, if used).

If a seller refuses all secure methods and insists on a direct transfer → walk away.

5. Be careful with screenshots and “proof”

Asking for proof (screenshot of the ticket or order confirmation) is good… but not enough:

• Screenshots can be photoshopped.
• The same ticket code can be sold to multiple people.

Use proof as one indicator, not a guarantee.

6. Watch out for pressure and urgency

Scammers love phrases like:

• “Need it gone in 5 minutes”
• “Other buyers waiting”
• “Send now or I’ll give it to someone else”

Government and consumer protection offices warn that pressure + urgency + unofficial channels = classic scam pattern.

If you feel rushed → step back.

7. Check the event’s official rules on resale

Some organizers:

• Only allow resale via official partners.
• Ban resale above face value.
• Reserve the right to cancel tickets bought through unauthorized channels.

Look on the event’s official website for “Resale”, “Ticketing policy” or “Terms & Conditions” before buying.

Why buying from a trusted resale platform is safer

Buying directly from strangers = you are alone.
Buying via a serious resale platform gives you extra layers of safety:

• Structured listings: Clear info about dates, seats, restrictions.
• Secure payments: Platforms can use regulated payment providers and anti-fraud tools.
• Centralized communication: If something goes wrong, there is a record.
• Rules and moderation: Suspicious activity can be flagged, listings can be removed.

Consumer organisations and even event organizers increasingly recommend using recognized resale sites instead of random social posts, because they offer better protection.

How Ticketoja Helps You Buy Resale Tickets More Safely

Ticketoja is built around one idea: make buying resale tickets feel as close as possible to buying from a normal online shop—clear, simple, and transparent.

Here’s how you can use it safely as a buyer:

1. Start from the search

Use the filters to find:

• The type of ticket you need (plane, concert, event, voucher, etc.).
• Date, route, city, or category.

Avoid random DMs and comments like “I have tickets, message me”. Instead, use a structured listing on Ticketoja where you can see the details clearly.

2. Check the listing details

Before you click “buy”, read:

• What exactly is included? (e.g. checked luggage, seat type, section/row).
• Are there restrictions? (name change needed, non-refundable, no transfer, etc.).
• Any extra notes the seller added.

If something is unclear, you can ask the seller through the platform (not via private Instagram or WhatsApp first).

3. Pay through Ticketoja, not directly to the seller

Always complete payment through Ticketoja’s checkout—never send money separately via bank transfer to a stranger.

This way:

Your transaction is traceable.

You have a platform in the middle if something goes wrong.

You avoid many of the classic payment scams used on social media.

4. Keep communication inside the platform

If a seller says:

“Pay me directly by bank transfer / Revolut / cash, it’s cheaper, we skip the fees”

Say no.

Keeping everything inside Ticketoja helps protect you and keeps a clear record of what was agreed.

Quick Pre-Purchase Checklist (Save or Screenshot)

Before buying any resale ticket, ask yourself:

1. Am I on a real, trusted website (like Ticketoja), not a random DM or weird URL?
2. Did I check reviews or feedback about the platform/seller?
3. Am I using a secure payment method, not only bank transfer?
4. Do I understand exactly what I’m buying (date, time, section, restrictions)?
5. Have I checked the official event/airline policy about resale or name changes?
6. Is the price reasonable (not insanely cheap or insanely high)?
7. Do I feel pressured to decide fast? If yes, why?

If something feels off, trust your instincts and walk away. There will always be another event or another trip—but losing your money (and the experience) to a scam hurts way more.

Final Thoughts

Resale tickets are not the enemy—in 2025 they’re often the only way to get into sold-out shows or to recover money from a trip you can’t take anymore. The real danger comes from where and how you buy.

By:

• following the checks in this guide
• using only secure payment methods
• and sticking to structured resale platforms like Ticketoja

you can lower your risk dramatically and focus on what really matters: enjoying your flight, match, show or festival.