‘Well-organized’ fraudsters running Taylor Swift scams, 190 cases recorded
Taylor Swift fans eager to score a last-minute ticket should be on alert for scams managed by “well-organized” fraudsters.
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Center says the number of reports of people being scammed this year into trying to see the artist has now risen to 190.
Spokeswoman Lisanne Roy Beauchamp says most victims are contacted via the compromised accounts of someone they knew.
Victims think they are purchasing the tickets from someone they trust and are asked to send wire transfers to obtain fake tickets.
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Beauchamp says the use of compromised accounts indicates a higher level of sophistication on the part of fraudsters.
Swift kicked off the Canadian leg of her tour on Thursday, and many fans the Canadian Press spoke with are in town without having secured tickets yet.
If a friend or colleague offers tickets online, the anti-fraud center suggested first contacting the potential seller on another platform, for example by SMS or telephone.
“The use of compromised accounts is concerning because it indicates a higher level of sophistication on the part of the fraudsters,” Beauchamp said by email this week. “Additionally, our data shows that wire transfers are the primary method of payment.”
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