The rise in the use of the Internet to purchase tickets and accommodation packages online, coupled with the huge expected demand, gives criminals new opportunities to sell non-existent tickets and steal personal and credit card details to use as part of other crimes.
Over eight million tickets will be made available for the Olympic Games and a further two million for the Paralympic Games.
By taking some simple steps, anyone planning on buying tickets can prevent themselves from becoming a victim.
Looking for ways to con and steal
The director of the NFIB, detective superintendent Antony Crampton, said: “The 2012 Olympic Games will be one of the biggest sporting events this country has ever hosted, with over ten million tickets available for events right across the country.”
He continued: “Criminals will be looking for ways to con and steal, either through selling fake tickets or setting up professional-looking websites which may appear to be honest but could leave you a victim.”
There is some easy-to-follow advice for would-be ticket purchasers which will help keep them safe and ensure they can enjoy the Games.
If you’re planning on buying tickets, note that the London 2012 ticket application process opens on 15 March and you have until 26 April to apply for tickets through LOCOG (as tickets are not allocated on a first come, first served basis).
The only way to apply for a ticket in the UK is at the official website (we have added the link on the right hand panel of this page) of London 2012.
You can also obtain a postal application from any Lloyds TSB branch, or from any public library in Northern Ireland.
Don’t buy from unauthorised websites or touts
Don’t buy a ticket from an unauthorised website or tout. You risk being scammed, and not getting the ticket you wanted and paid for.
If you get a ticket for an event you can’t attend, you can return your ticket to get a refund through the London 2012 official ticket exchange. Your ticket will then be officially resold.
Further details of this process will be announced in due course.
There are only three official providers for Olympic Games breaks and hospitality packages in the UK. These are:
Other websites or companies will not be authorised to sell you a ticket as part of a package in the UK.
Always check the Terms and Conditions to see exactly what you are being sold.
Outside of the UK, London 2012 tickets are sold through the given nation’s National Olympic Committee or their authorised retailer.
If you find tickets for sale before 15 March, or available from any unauthorised source at anytime, don’t buy them. They are not genuine.
Report it to your local police or London 2012 (via [email protected])
