POLICE have issued a ticket scam warning as the Euro 2024 kicks off this week.

South Yorkshire Police Fraud Team are warning buyers looking for last-minute tickets to look out for the tell-tale signs of ticket fraud.

A police spokesperson said: “When you miss out on tickets for an event you desperately wanted to go to, it can be tempting to turn to social media, online marketplaces or fan forums to ensure you don’t miss out.

“Unfortunately, some people who venture down this route end up being the victim of scams as they are dealt the double blow of missing out on tickets and losing their hard-earned money.”

In a typical ticket scam, the seller will tell you that they will post or email the tickets as soon as you have transferred the money to their bank account.

Then once you have sent the money, they will disappear into thin air or block you on social media so you cannot contact them.

Charlotte Platts, Fraud Protect Officer at South Yorkshire Police, said: "This is a scam that has sadly become more common with thousands of people in the UK tricked into buying fake or non-existent tickets every year.

“We know that when it comes to big events like the Euros, the desire to get tickets at any cost can lure you into fake deals on social media. It's always worth remembering that if something doesn't seem quite right, then it is probably a scam."

To ensure you don't fall foul of this type of fraud, Police are encouraging people in South Yorkshire to make themselves aware of these top tips for buying tickets safely, as provided by Get Safe Online.

They include:

Only buying tickets from official vendors, the box office or reputable fan reseller or ticket exchange sites

Not being tempted to click on social media, text, emails or attachments offering tickets

Not paying for tickets by bank transfer and instead paying by credit card for additional protection

Double checking that a page is genuine before you buy tickets from it

A full list of top tips can be viewed on the Get Safe Online website here: https://www.getsafeonline.org/tickets/