The Fraud Codex

Back to all sites

Is Ticketmaster a Scam?

ticketmaster.comLegitimate Business
Risk Assessment
25%Risk Score
Low Risk

Summary

Ticketmaster is a legitimate ticket sales platform owned by Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV). The world's largest ticket marketplace, though controversial for fees and pricing practices.

Ticketmaster is NOT a scam - it's the official ticket seller. However, fees are HIGH and customer service has issues. ONLY buy from ticketmaster.com - many fake sites exist.

Company Information

Parent Company
Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.
Founded
1976
Headquarters
Beverly Hills, CA
Stock
Private (parent: NYSE: LYV)
Employees
10,000+

Trust Indicators

  • Owned by Live Nation (NYSE: LYV)[source]
  • Operating since 1976 (48+ years)[source]
  • Official ticket seller for major venues[source]
  • Verified Fan program to combat bots[source]

Concerns

  • High service fees add significantly to pricesmedium[source]
  • Dynamic pricing can spike ticket costsmedium[source]
  • DOJ antitrust investigation ongoingmedium[source]
  • Scammers create fake Ticketmaster siteshigh[source]
BBB Rating
F
Trustpilot
1.3/5
BBB Complaints
8,000

💡 Recommendations

  • 1.Only buy from ticketmaster.com or the official app
  • 2.Beware of fake Ticketmaster sites (check URL carefully)
  • 3.Factor in fees when budgeting for tickets
  • 4.Use Verified Fan for popular events
  • 5.Transfer tickets only through official platform

📚 Sources

Live Nation Investor RelationsSEC EDGAR - Live Nation FilingsDOJ Antitrust LawsuitBBB Business ProfileTicketmaster Scam Warning
Last updated: 2026-01-22

Disclaimer: This analysis is for informational purposes only. Information may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Our assessments should not be the sole basis for financial, legal, or personal decisions. Always conduct your own research and due diligence.