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How Clever Scammers Are Fooling Tampa Concert Ticket Buyers

The debacle when Taylor Swift tickets for her Tampa concerts went on sale caused many headaches. Crooks took notice and this particular scam has even targeted some Q105 Saturday Night…

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The debacle when Taylor Swift tickets for her Tampa concerts went on sale caused many headaches. Crooks took notice and this particular scam has even targeted some Q105 Saturday Night Dance Party listeners. Most of us are suspicious when we get an unsolicited email or a telemarketer's phone call. But on social media, when you're among fellow friends, neighbors and fans, it's easy to let your guard down. When a show sells out, scam artists will target you. And unfortunately this scam works.

How They Do It

I saw this scam happen firsthand when our Q105 roller skating party at United Skates in Tampa sold out. We're shooting the music video for Debbie Deb's big 80s hit "Lookout Weekend." I mentioned since the event is now sold out, the only way to win tickets would be to listen to win them on the Saturday Night Dance Party. What did I do wrong? I put the words "sold out" in the Facebook text.

Scammers search for posts to sites like Facebook for the words "sold out." Posing as fans, they'll join your neighborhood's community message board or a fan page for that artist who has a sold out show. They'll tell a sob story of how heartbroken they are that the tickets they bought can't be used. "We want a true fan to be able to enjoy the show," they'll say. Or they might say they have a family commitment or have fallen on hard times financially and can no longer afford to go. They try to tug on your heartstrings. Unfortunately it works. Don't fall for it.

Within 30 minutes of posting that message about our roller skating party being sold out, we had no less than a dozen comments from people offering up their tickets. The wording was almost identical in every comment. None of the comments came from users who were regular members of our Saturday Night Dance Party group. Fortunately, I was able to change the settings on Facebook so that only longtime members can comment. But other Facebook groups may be unaware of that option.

Don't Even Accept "Free" Tickets

Unless you personally know the seller in real life, avoid those on social media posting comments either selling or even GIVING AWAY tickets. Yep, they try that tactic too. They'll send you fake tickets and after ask you to give them some of the money back to thank them for their generosity. You'll realize it's a scam when you get to the ticket scanner at the arena.

ABC Action News has a story out today of a Taylor Swift fan who is out $660. Unfortunately services like PayPal, Venmo and Zelle offer little to no protection in scenarios like this. So beware.

How To Avoid the Scam

Quite simply, avoid dealing with anyone on FACEBOOK. There's no sold out show where tickets are completely unavailable. Obviously with sold out shows, you're going to have to pay extra. Stick with legitimate ticket reseller sites like Stub Hub. Even Ticketmaster now offers "Verified Resale" tickets. Yes, you'll probably pay a premium. But when you pay with your credit card, you're protected. And while prices are high on sites like Stub Hub, the few times I've had an issue with a ticket, they've gone above and beyond to make it right. You want to have confidence your tickets will actually get in to the show.

Q105 Concert Calendar

Some great shows coming up in the Tampa area and a few worth a road trip!

October 3: Boyz II Men

b2m_1721740356_.jpg(Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for CMT)

The trio holds the distinction of being the best-selling R&B group of all time, with an astounding 64 million albums sold. Boys II Men had so many huge 90s hits like Motownphilly, I'll Make Love To You and End of the Road. See the group at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Event Center.


October 4: The Marley Brothers

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Ziggy, Damian, Stephan, Ky-Mani and Julian play the MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre in Tampa.


November 6: Cyndi Lauper

GettyImages-153845604-Large_1717416157_.jpgNeilson Barnard/Getty Images for Syracuse University

One last chance to see one of the most iconic Q105 favorites from the 80s. Cyndi Lauper has announced this is her farewell tour. See her at Amalie Arena. Tampa is one of only 23 cities getting a tour stop. The only other show in Florida will be in Hollywood, Florida. No Orlando or Jacksonville stops.


November 14: The Pointer Sisters and The Commodores

GettyImages-488026078.jpgMark Davis/Getty Images

Lots of great Q105 hits like "I'm So Excited" and "Neutron Dance" from the Pointer Sisters and "Brickhouse" ia one of our most requested songs on Q105. See them both at "An Evening of Icons - An Unforgettable Evening of Classic Hits" at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tampa.


December 14: Bret Michaels

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Catch the Poison lead singer for a performance at The Sound at Coachman Park. It's Bret's Parti-Gras 2.0 Tour with Night Ranger and Dee Snider from Twisted Sister.


December 15: Trans Siberian Orchestra

TSO2023_JDPWORKS_2023-1_Selects-1-Large.jpgCourtesy of TSO

It's a Q105 holiday tradition! It'll be one of the most amazing live performances you'll ever see. The Lost Christmas Eve Tour will stop at Amalie Arena in Tampa.

GenoEditor
Hear Geno on the air weekday afternoons. Geno's passions include fat guy food, concerts, sports, travel to Europe and South America. He loves 80s and 90s music, from MTV hairbands to old school freestyle, alternative rock to TRL era jams. Geno's radio career began in his hometown of Portland, Maine. Since then he's been on the air coast to coast from Boston to Las Vegas, Tampa to California.