A warning has been issued to music fans hoping to purchase tickets to see US superstar Billie Eilish in Glasgow.

The singer will play at the Hydro on Monday and Tuesday, July 7 and 8, next year. 

Now experts at QR Code Generator have issued a ticket scam warning ahead of the sale on Friday, May 3. 

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Marc Porcar, CEO of QR Code Generator, said: “As Eilish is one of the biggest stars of the 21st century, it’s expected that ticket scalpers and scammers will increase their efforts to take advantage of vulnerable fans who are desperate to go – so it’s essential that you proceed with caution when purchasing tickets.” 

The expert highlights the following common ticket scans that fans should be wary of:  

·       False error messages - This common scam involves a scammer creating a convincing error message after the initial payment which makes the customer either enter their bank information again or hold them on a fake loading screen while fraudsters steal their information.  

·       Prices marked below market value. Prices that are too good to be true can be a massive red flag, as they entice fans with the possibility of a bargain, only to steal payment information at the end of the transaction.  

·       Seat scams. While this scam may ensure a ticket to the event, it will not be for the seat the buyer ordered. Fraudsters will sell a seat that they haven’t secured and then use some of the money to buy a cheaper seat.  

·       Unexpected communications. Scammers can send fake text messages or emails which can be convincing, especially with many official ticket sellers having mailing lists for fans. Unsolicited messages from fake sellers are something to be wary of, especially if they request any personal details.  

·       Urgency or pressure tactics. Scammers are known for creating a false sense of urgency to push potential buyers into hasty decisions regarding fake tickets, especially with sold-out events. This may include phrases like, ‘Tickets running out!’ or ‘Get this exclusive deal for a limited time only!’. The source must always be checked, as well as venue announcements.  

·       Suspicious payment measures. Some scammers may ask for specific payment methods such as gift cards, bank transfers via a ‘card machine’, and asking for card details, which need to be avoided at all costs as they are less secure. Even phone calls may be requested, which is dangerous as voices may be recorded for identity fraud and voice phishing.   

·       Printed ticket awareness and speculative ticketing – sellers posting tickets they don’t actually have. Many fraudsters capitalise on selling tickets they don’t have or using counterfeit printed tickets. Most tickets, particularly those for large events, have a barcode or QR code.  Buyers should avoid ticket listings that have a photo of the ticket that shows a barcode or QR code, as it could be a duplication.   

The tour will start in Canada on September 29, travel to the US in October, Australia in February, and Europe in April. 

The UK is set to have 12 dates including two shows in Glasgow, four in Manchester, and six in London. 

He added: "Always purchase tickets from official sources. There are many lookalike websites which can be easily mistaken, particularly in the initial ticket presale or general sale rush. Checking for security indicators such as ‘https://’ and double-checking the URL is key.  

“A lot of verified ticket sellers have presales with certain offers such as preordering albums, being part of something like O2 Priority. If fans want the upper hand, it may be worth looking into for an extra aid. 

“Never share personal information outside of official ticket purchase platforms. Avoid taking screenshots or photos of any sensitive information such as card number, address, first and last name, sign-in information – scammers can transfer the ticket to themselves and steal your ticket – two-factor authentication is worth getting  

“Also be wary when purchasing tickets over social media. Fans must be cautious of social media profiles with no photos, friends, or suspicious names or usernames. Fraudsters are known for making new accounts just to scam fans and then deleting the page afterward, so it’s best to avoid interacting with suspicious accounts online. 

“Finally, it may be a gamble, but resellers tend to drop their ticket prices on the day of the performance. For sold-out events, this may be the best option for those who missed out on the initial general sale yet are still hoping to secure some tickets!”