Local PCC Mark Shelford is supporting Action Fraud's latest campaign warning people to be wary of scammers while searching for the best deals on tickets for this summer's biggest events.

The PCC is asking local people to be vigilant when buying tickets for sport, music and comedy events, as new national figures reveal over £6.7million was lost to ticket fraud in 2022.

The national awareness campaign comes after Action Fraud received over 7,088 reports of ticket fraud in 2022, with 138 reports from Avon and Somerset residents.

Action Fraud is working with the Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers (STAR) to promote the safe and secure purchasing of tickets to summer events, and advises the public to follow the appropriate precautionary measures.

How to avoid falling victim to ticket fraud:

• Only buy tickets from the venue's box office, official promoter or agent, or a well-known ticketing website
• Avoid paying for tickets by bank transfer, especially if buying from someone unknown. Credit card or payment services such as PayPal give you a better chance of recovering the money if you become a victim of fraud
• Be wary of unsolicited emails, texts or adverts offering unbelievably good deals on tickets
• Is the vendor a member of STAR? If they are, the company has signed up to their strict governing standards. STAR also offers an approved Alternative Dispute Resolution service to help customers with outstanding complaints. For more information visit star.org.uk/buy_safe

Criminals often use social media or scam emails to tempt potential victims into parting with personal information or money. These messages look real but instead divert to malicious websites, which can infect your computer with malware.

Social media messages and emails might appear genuine and as if it is from a company or individual that you recognise but do not usually receive communications from. If you feel at all suspicious, report the email to Suspicious Email Reporting Services (SERS) at [email protected]. Your report will help us protect many more people from falling victim.

PCC Mark Shelford said: "We all enjoy attending events and watching live music and sport– especially during the summer months – and criminals know how to exploit people who want a discount or tickets to a sold-out show.

"Unscrupulous ticket sellers prey on people's excitement for their own financial gain. Only buy from official promoters and ticket agents, and be wary of messages offering unbelievably good deals.

"Remember, if it sounds too good to be true. It probably is."

Action Fraud also advises that the public follow the Take Five to Stop Fraud campaign advice to keep themselves safe from fraud:

• Stop: taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.
• Challenge: could it be fake? It's ok to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.
• Protect: if you think you've been a victim of fraud, contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud online at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.

For more advice on how to stay secure online, please visit cyberaware.gov.uk.

If you have fallen victim to ticket fraud or any other scam, please report to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.