Here's how to avoid Summerfest ticket scams, according to the Better Business Bureau
With Summerfest starting, there are numerous ways to get tickets for it, but some of them could be scams.
If you see an amazing deal on tickets for a festival in your area, that's one of the tell-tale signs of a scam, the BBB's news release said. While there are ways to get into Summerfest for free, these scams typically originate on social media.
The SkyGlider carries Summerfest visitors over the grounds of Henry Maier Festival Park at the lakefront on June 29, 2024.
In addition to offering low ticket prices, they also promise other things like all-you-can-eat food or other benefits. The social media link may also take you to a professional-looking website.
But before buying a ticket, the BBB said, it's important to check the legitimacy of the seller. The BBB has a search finder for scams and includes statewide categories.
For Summerfest, official tickets can be purchased on its website. Separate tickets are required for headliner shows in the American Family Insurance Amphitheatre. Tickets for headliner shows can be purchased through Ticketmaster.
Here are more tips from the BBB to avoid getting ripped off when buying a festival ticket:
- Research before you buy: Search online to make sure the advertised festival’s name matches its website. Scammers often use fake names that sound similar to those of real festivals.
- Check for working contact info: Be sure there's a real phone number and email address.
- Watch for prices that sound too good: If the prices are much lower than elsewhere, it’s likely a scam.
- Avoid tickets sold on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace and other free online listings: Check out third-party ticket sites at bbb.org before buying.
- Pay with a credit card: If you don't get the tickets, you can dispute the charge.And beware of online sellers that don’t accept credit cards.
- Look for secure sites: The website should begin with HTTPS (the “s” is for "secure").
Summerfest 2025 takes place June 19-21, June 26-28 and July 3-5 at Maier Festival Park, 200 N. Harbor Drive, in Milwaukee. The festival is open noon to midnight each day.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Here's how to avoid Summerfest ticket scams, according to the Better Business Bureau
