The Australian Federal Police (AFP) is urging Australians to enhance their cyber security measures in order to protect themselves from scammers selling fake concert tickets. The AFP-led Joint Policing Cybercrime Coordination Centre (JPC3) has observed an increase in instances where social media profiles are hacked and used to sell counterfeit tickets to popular concerts, such as those of Taylor Swift.

These scammers often pose as helpful neighbors or friends on community pages, and have even been known to hack into social media accounts to make contact with potential victims. Once the unsuspecting fans purchase the tickets, the scammers pocket the money and the fans are left disappointed and ticket-less. In many cases, the real owners of the hacked social media accounts are left to deal with the aftermath of the scam.

To prevent falling victim to these cyber scams, the AFP is advising Australians to implement the following security measures:
– Turn on multi-factor authentication on their personal accounts
– Create strong passphrases using a combination of random words, upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters
– Use different passphrases for different accounts, systems, and applications
– Report any hacked social media accounts to the platform and report any scams to Scamwatch
– Purchase concert tickets only through authorized resellers

According to AFP Commander Chris Goldsmid, it is essential for Australians to practice good cyber hygiene in order to protect themselves against cybercriminals. He emphasized the fact that cybercriminals will go to great lengths to exploit people for their own profit, using tools and tricks to manipulate individuals’ love and desire to see their favorite artists perform.

The National Anti-Scam Centre has received over 270 reports of people being scammed while attempting to purchase Taylor Swift concert tickets via social media since the tickets went on sale in Australia in June 2023. Goldsmid encouraged individuals to report any suspicious activity on social media platforms to the appropriate authorities and emphasized the importance of not falling for offers that seem too good to be true.

In addition to providing these tips for protecting against cyber scams, the JPC3 also brings together law enforcement and industry partners to prevent harm and financial loss due to cybercrime. They are committed to equipping all Australians with the knowledge and resources to protect themselves against cybercrime and have created cybercrime prevention videos on YouTube to educate the public.

Overall, the AFP is urging Australians to remain vigilant and take proactive steps to protect themselves from cybercrime, especially when it comes to purchasing event tickets through online platforms. By following the recommended security measures and staying informed about common scams, individuals can minimize the risk of falling victim to cyber scams and protect their personal and financial information.

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