Lloyds Bank issues £218 warning to customers

Football fans have been conned out of £2.5 million in just two seasons by scammers selling fake match tickets.

Figures from Lloyds Bank and the Home Office reveal fraudsters pocketed an average of £218 from each victim last season, with the scams most often striking fans aged 25-34.

Liverpool supporters were the most likely to be targeted along with Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City. But it is not just fans of the Premier League who are being scammed, with followers of Celtic, Rangers and Wrexham also caught out.

The fraud is rife on social media, with more than three-quarters (76%) of scams beginning on platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. Criminals post adverts for sold-out or discounted tickets, take payment - often by bank transfer - and vanish.

Lloyds estimates there were more than 12,000 victims nationwide since the start of the 2023/24 season, based on its 20% share of the UK current account market.

Liz Ziegler, Fraud Prevention Director at Lloyds Bank, warned: "It's easy to get swept up in the buzz of a new season - but scammers are banking on that excitement.

"With demand for tickets often outstripping supply, fraudsters know they can trick fans into paying for tickets that simply don't exist.

"We're pleased to join forces with Stop! Think Fraud ahead of the big kick-off to help raise awareness of ticket scams and ensure supporters know how to spot them."

She added: "Social media is the main breeding ground for ticket scams and it's time these firms cracked down on the fraudsters lurking on their platforms. Consumers should feel empowered to shop safely online.

"The best way to avoid ticket scams is to buy directly from clubs or their official partners - and steer clear of deals that look too good to be true."

Lord Hanson, Minister for Fraud at the Home Office, added: "Fraud is a ruthless crime that preys on our passions, our trust, and our excitement. As the nation gears up for the new football season, so too do fraudsters, waiting to take advantage of loyal fans searching for tickets.

"More than three quarters of football ticket scams last season started on social media, with what seem like genuine 'first come, first served' offers all too often designed to rip off desperate fans. That's why we urge all football supporters hunting for tickets to Stop! Think Fraud."

Fans are being told to only buy through official club sites, ticket offices or approved partners - and to avoid any "too good to be true" deals.

The Premier League plans to make at least 70% of tickets digital from the 2026/27 season to clamp down on fraud and touting.