As millions prepare for a new year of sports, concerts and festivals, PayPal Australia is urging consumers to stay vigilant and use payment methods that offer enhanced security and Buyer Protection.
The findings show that one in five Australians (20%) have missed out on events due to fake or undelivered tickets, and nearly one in ten (8%) have been scammed more than once.
The cost of being scammed
Australians who fall victim to ticket scams lose an average of $432, with nearly half (48%) of those scammed losing between $100 and $499. Younger fans are hit hardest: 15% of Gen Z and Millennial victims report losses of $750 or more, compared to no victims aged over 45 reporting losses in that range.
Only 6% of scammed buyers avoided losing money because they used a payment method with buyer protection, leaving the majority out of pocket.
The data also shows how the lure of a bargain continues to drive risky behaviour. Around one in twelve Australians (7%) – and a striking 18% of Gen Z – admit they would “take the risk” if a ticket price seemed too good to ignore, highlighting how scammers exploit FOMO and urgency during major event periods.
From sold-out concerts to cricket matches or New Years Eve events, demand for tickets has never been higher – and scammers know it.
Yet, encouragingly, Australians are showing caution. Two in three Aussies (69%) recognise the importance of sticking to official ticketing sites to avoid scams, while 52% steer clear of buying tickets through social media, which remains a hotspot for scam activity.
Sascha Hess, Chief Information Security Officer, PayPal Australia said: “Scammers know that when tickets sell out fast, fans can be tempted to take risks. Unfortunately, fake tickets don’t just cost you money, they can rob you of the experience itself."
Summer events surge – and so do scams
With Australia heading into our busy NYE events day, many consumers are looking for safer ways to buy tickets.
But as demand for tickets rises, scam activity is rising with it. One in five (19%) Aussies report receiving suspicious links or encountering fake listings while trying to buy tickets online, reinforcing the need to take practical steps to stay protected.
Tips to avoid being scammed
- Buy from official sellers when possible – Primary ticketing platforms significantly reduce the risk of scams.
- Use trusted payment methods with buyer protection – Avoid cash, bank transfers or payments that can’t be reversed.
- Be wary on social media marketplaces – Scammers often create fake listings, use doctored screenshots, or impersonate legitimate sellers or disappear after receiving payment.
- Check reviews and URLs – if a site looks suspicious, search for verified reviews, or navigate directly to the official website
- Report suspicious activity – more than half of Aussies (53%) say they’d report suspicious offers from a website or seller – doing so can protect others from falling victim.
About the research
Research conducted by PureProfile on behalf of PayPal from 1st to 3rd October 2025, surveying a nationally representative sample of 1,021 Australians aged 18-75 years.
