As large and small music festivals across Chicago begin to pop-up for the summer season, the Better Business Bureau is warning consumers of to beware of phony tickets sold to Chicago music festivals that don’t exist.
According to a press release from the agency, counterfeit tickets sold for fake events isn’t anything new. But as pandemic restrictions continue to ease and enthusiasm for summer events grows, the scams could be worse this year.
“Scammers are taking advantage of people’s pent-up enthusiasm for food, music, culture, and outdoors in the wake of the pandemic,” says Steve J. Bernas, president, and CEO of BBB of Chicago and Northern Illinois.
“The con artists develop very realistic fraudulent websites and counterfeit tickets. They even created entirely fake events. These schemes steal your money and private financial and other personal data.”
Bernas adds, “A fraudulent event took a similar name to a great neighborhood event in Chicago and scammers not only stole ticket money, they even charged for advance parking.”
What the Scams Look Like
According to the BBB, the scams often begin on social media, with discounted tickets to a summer festival that promises all-you-can-eat meals, craft beer or wine, or other fun activities.
After clicking, consumers are taken to a professional looking website with what looks like photographs of the event.
“You enter your enter your credit card information to buy tickets, and you think you are all…
