Ticketmaster Faces Scrutiny Amid Ticket Disappearance Scandals

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Earlier this month, Wayne David Levy eagerly prepared for a trip to Las Vegas, including purchasing two tickets to see comedian Nate Bargatze, set for January. His anticipation turned to frustration when Ticketmaster notified him via email that his tickets had been sold without his consent. “I logged on to see what had happened and my tickets were gone,” Levy remarked, describing how he was unable to resolve the issue through Ticketmaster’s online chat or phone support. As he attempted to contact Ticketmaster, Levy discovered that his tickets had been relisted for sale.

Feeling he had no alternative, Levy reached out through various channels, including social media, contacting the venue, Encore Casino, and Bargatze’s team. Eventually, both the venue and the comedian’s team resolved the issue by providing complimentary tickets. Ticketmaster later reinstated his original tickets. This incident reflects a growing issue, with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) reporting increased cases similar to Levy’s. “I’m regularly getting screen captures on my phone,” advised Dale Dixon, BBB-West & Pacific region chief innovation officer, emphasizing the need for documentation.

In a related incident, Denver resident Annette Barsick faced a crisis over tickets she purchased for the Eagles and Garth Brooks concerts in Las Vegas as part of her 30th wedding anniversary plans. These tickets were transferred without her knowledge to someone in Amsterdam. Barsick discovered the issue when she received emails indicating the unauthorized transfer.

Upon contacting Ticketmaster, Barsick learned of other instances of similar ticket thefts. Despite assurances from a Ticketmaster representative that her tickets would be returned within 10 to 48 hours, four days passed without resolution. “It took two minutes for this scammer to take my tickets. It should take two minutes for Ticketmaster to see this and put them back in my account,” Barsick said.

In response to the widespread issues, Ticketmaster issued a statement to 9NEWS emphasizing that users should maintain strong, unique passwords, especially for their email accounts, as breaches often originate there. The company cites ongoing investments in security enhancements but admits that challenges remain.

Barsick’s experience ended positively after Ticketmaster returned her tickets following intervention by 9NEWS. However, she expressed skepticism over the company’s security measures, comparing them unfavorably to other firms with better protection, such as two-factor authentication. With the tickets recovered, Barsick said she’ll approach future ticket purchases with caution, hoping her experience highlights the need for increased security measures across ticketing platforms.