MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is warning Swifties to be wary of suspicious ticket offerings ahead of her tour stop in Minneapolis.
Pop music queen Taylor Swift will roll into the Twin Cities for shows at U.S. Bank Stadium on June 23 and 24, this Friday and Saturday. Dates on her "Eras" tour are among the hottest and most sought-after tickets in music history, with shows selling out online in a matter of minutes. It is the perfect storm for scams and counterfeiters, and Minnesota's AG wants to keep music fans from falling prey.
Some Swift fans nationwide have lost as much as $2,500 without ever receiving their tickets, according to the statement from the AG's office. With industry stars getting back on the road following the pandemic, over-anxious fans need to take precautions so they're not taken advantage of. Ticket scams could leave Swifties with a “Blank Space” in their wallet rather than a memorable night of music.
“Minnesotans who are defrauded by online ticket scammers should not have to endure a ‘Cruel Summer,’” said Attorney General Ellison, in a statement. “Ticket scammers are nothing but trouble and what they do is illegal. I won’t stand by knowing there may be scammers out there trying to deceive Minnesota Swifties and other fans."
The AG's Office recommended the following 6 tips for buying tickets:
- Know your vendor - Make sure you are buying your tickets from a trustworthy website, especially before you provide any personal financial information.
- Do your research - If you are unfamiliar with a particular ticket seller, research the seller on the Better Business Bureau’s national website.
- Use a credit card - If you purchase tickets online, especially through an online auction site, it is recommended that you complete your transaction using a credit card. Purchasing tickets with a credit card often provides you with protections that you would not otherwise have if you purchased the tickets using cash, check, debit cards, or apps like Venmo and Cash App.
- Shop on secured sites - Always double-check your URL before purchasing tickets online. If a website’s address begins with “https,” the “s” indicates that the website is secure. (Remember “s” for “secure.”) Typically, the “s” will not appear in the web address until you access the order page of the site, where you will be asked to enter your personal information. Secure websites should also display a closed lock graphic in the browser, generally located to the left of the URL in the address bar.
- Inspect your tickets - physically inspect your tickets to reduce your risk of being turned away at the venue. Check the date, time, and location listed on the tickets to ensure that this information matches the accurate event details. Review the listed seat assignments and call the venue to ensure that they represent actual, valid seat assignments within the venue.
Anyone with complaints over their ticket-buying experience is asked to contact Ellison's "Action Team" by calling (651) 296-3353 (metro area), (800) 657-3787 (Greater Minnesota) or by completing a fraud report form online.
Any questions about Swift's upcoming performances? Check here for answers.
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