Glastonbury Festival ticket hopefuls warned don't fall for these scams

After tickets to Glastonbury Festival sold out in less than 40 minutes, people who missed out have been warned to look out for deals that seem "too good to be true". Millions of music-lovers register for the world-famous festival each year, but with just 200,000 places available, the vast majority of hopeful people were disappointed when organisers announced all tickets had been sold by 9.35am yesterday, November 17.

This was even faster than last year, when it took around an hour for all of them to go. A new online booking system meant people were randomly assigned a place in a queue instead of having to refresh the holding page once sales began.

No headliners have yet been confirmed for 2025, but acts rumoured to be performing so far include Eminem, Harry Styles and Olivia Rodrigo.

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Some Glastonbury hopefuls may be tempted to shop around for "second hand" tickets, but experts have warned of ongoing scams taking place online. Marc Porcar, CEO of QR Code Generator, said: “To avoid scams when purchasing tickets from a third party, always buy from reputable and trusted platforms.

"Seek out verified sellers or utilise official resale websites, as these provide protection against fraud and ensure a secure transaction. Steer clear of deals that appear too good to be true, as scammers frequently entice buyers with unrealistically low prices.

"Always verify the legitimacy of the tickets by requesting proof of purchase or confirmation emails from the seller. Remain cautious of unsolicited emails, messages, or links advertising tickets—particularly those offering significant discounts. Scammers frequently pose as official sellers or ticket platforms, so it’s essential to double-check the sender's email address and the website URL for any signs of illegitimacy, such as misspellings or unusual characters.

“Additionally, always use secure payment methods such as PayPal or credit cards, avoid bank transfers, and verify that the platform or seller is reputable before finalising the transaction. And finally, remember to be cautious of offers that seem too good to be true, and trust your instincts—if something feels off, consider walking away from the transaction.”

Some of the most common scams that people may fall victim to include:

Fake listings: Scammers create fake listings to trick people into paying for non-existent tickets. Scammers may target fans with fake websites, emails or social media posts that offer tickets at discounted prices, or access at inflated prices.

Phishing scams: Fraudulent emails or messages mimic legitimate booking sites to steal personal or financial information, including credit and debit card numbers.

Payment fraud: Scammers request payment through insecure methods, such as wire transfers or prepaid gift cards, rather than secure platforms. Avoid making payments through bank transfer or money transfer services, as the payment may not be recoverable.