Bank of Ireland has issued an urgent warning to music fans as ticket scams surge ahead of summer concerts. The bank reported a 28 percent increase in purchase scams in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period last year.
The alert comes just days before Luke Combs’ sold-out performances at Slane Castle on July 18 and 19. Thousands of fans are expected to attend, and many are searching for resale tickets.
Fraudsters are exploiting the high demand by posting fake ticket listings on social media, online marketplaces, and unofficial resale websites. Nicola Sadlier, head of fraud protection at Bank of Ireland, said scammers understand the excitement around major events and target fans who desperately want to attend.
Bank of Ireland advises fans to watch for red flags: tickets offered at very low prices, sellers pushing for quick sales, requests to pay outside official platforms, and sellers only providing screenshots as proof of purchase. For Electric Picnic, ticket transfers do not open until one or two weeks before the festival, so any earlier sale is likely a scam.
The bank urges customers to buy tickets only from official sellers or verified resale platforms. Anyone who believes they have been targeted should contact their bank immediately to try to stop the fraud and recover lost funds.
Article and image source: dublinnews.com
