Social media is to blame for the rise in online football ticket scams, according to new research from Lloyds bank.

According to the bank’s figures, 56 per cent of football ticket scams reported during the 2022/2023 season started on Facebook while a further 23 per cent of cases began on X.

Analysis of fraud cases reported by its own customers found that the number of people being scammed when buying football tickets rose by around 32 per cent during the 2023/24 season, compared to the previous season.

The bank said that football is a popular target for scammers because they exploit the loyalty of fans and the desire to watch their favourite team knowing that most major matches will be sold out.

Tickets for big events are scarce or in high demand, so fraudsters know they can cash in on desperate fans willing to pay much more. Lloyds said last season victims lost £177 on average, with some fans losing as much as £1,000.

Scammers create fake posts on social media or online marketplaces to advertise tickets that don’t exist; these will often include pictures of real tickets to convince the unsuspecting buyer that they are genuine.

The victim is then tricked into making a payment by bank transfer which currently provides limited protection if something goes wrong.

Lloyds said those aged between 25 and 34 years old were most likely to fall victim to a football ticket scam last year, accounting for 29 per cent of all cases.

Liz Ziegler, fraud prevention director at Lloyds Bank, said that fans should always stick to official channels and avoid deals which look too good to be true.

“Most scams kick off on social media, where impostors create fake profiles to sell non-existent tickets,” she added. “We’re calling on these firms to step up and tackle the fraudsters head-on.”

Responding to the news Lisa Webb, consumer law expert at consumer watchdog Which?, said that scammers are always “on the lookout to part people from their hard-earned cash”.

“Most major banks are signed up to a voluntary reimbursement code and so should consider reimbursing customers who have been targeted by scammers,” she added. “Victims may need to take their case to the Financial Ombudsman Service if their bank initially rejects their claim.”

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