This level of fraud is unacceptable and demonstrates that customers need more information to help them avoid being ripped off by fraudsters when buying tickets.

On 24 November 2015, organisations and individuals from across the British entertainment industry, including London Theatre Direct, joined forces on a new public awareness campaign to help combat ticket fraud by encouraging customers to always look for the STAR kitemark when buying tickets.

Buying from members of STAR ensures you are dealing with a company that has signed up to our strict Code of Practice and also means that you can turn to us if there's an unresolved dispute with a member.

STAR members include all the biggest names in entertainment ticketing in the UK.
They include the STAR kitemark on their websites or in their outlets and a full list can be found HERE.

So, buy tickets with confidence from members of STAR.

If you make a choice not to buy from a member of STAR or the tickets you are looking for aren't available through one of our members, here are a few tips to help you take the time to protect yourself from ticket fraud.

• Check with the event organiser, promoter or venue how and when tickets are being distributed.
• If you are buying from an Online Resale Marketplace, make sure it is a reputable company and that they operate a reliable guarantee that ensures you get replacement tickets or a full refund if there is a problem with providing your tickets.
• Check where the company's office is and whether they have a landline in this country and a proper address rather than a PO box.
• Check online if there is adverse criticism of the company.
• Ask questions, such as when the ticket will be dispatched and what type of ticket you are buying.
• Read the terms and conditions on all but particularly not known websites (some ticket websites state quite clearly that there are no refunds).
• If you're buying football tickets, be aware that it's illegal to re-sell football tickets under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act in most instances.
• Pay for tickets by credit card - the card issuer is jointly liable for a failure for goods or services to be provided as long as the price of a single ticket is more than £100 (but less than £30,000) but check with your card provider how long the period of liability is if the event is further ahead.
• Check the payment pages are secure by looking for a padlock symbol in the address bar, and making sure the website address begins with 'https'.

Provided in association with Action Fraud. There is more advice on buying tickets on the S.T.A.R website

• News