Santander, which operates branches in Birmingham, has issued a warning to customers about the risk of losing £183 to ticket scammers. The bank has contacted customers directly to raise awareness about fraudulent ticket sales, particularly those advertised on social media platforms.
Rising Threat of Ticket Scams
According to Santander, scammers are increasingly targeting individuals looking to purchase tickets for concerts, festivals, and major sporting events. In the fourth quarter of 2025, the average loss per victim was £183, money intended for a memorable outing.
How Scammers Operate
The bank outlined several red flags to watch for:
- Quick sales or tickets offered at prices significantly lower than the market rate.
- Sellers using photos as 'proof' that tickets exist.
- Requests for payment via bank transfer or the 'friends and family' option on payment platforms.
- Conversations being moved off the official selling platform.
Protection Tips from Santander
Santander advises: "If there's any sense of urgency, take a moment to stop and consider whether it could be a scam." The bank recommends the following precautions:
- Purchase tickets only from official websites or authorised resale platforms.
- Avoid sending money directly to someone you do not know.
- Check that the website begins with 'https' before entering payment details.
- Avoid clicking on suspicious links in messages.
- Be aware that resale of some football tickets is illegal; always buy directly from the club or an official partner.
Key Advice from Santander
Santander emphasises: "If it feels rushed, secretive or too good to be true it probably is." Customers are encouraged to visit the mobile fraud hub for more information. Access it via the menu (top right) > Fraud and Security Centre > Fraud Hub.
Staying Safe Online
The bank reminds customers that it will never ask them to log on to Online or Mobile Banking through a link, nor request personal information such as passwords or security details. Any legitimate communication will include the last four digits of the account or card number, or the last three characters of the postcode.
