The sale of counterfeit concert tickets online is a growing problem. Major rock bands and other concert attractions are warning customers through their websites to watch out for fake tickets to their popular tours. Counterfeit concert tickets will not be honored, and the purchaser will likely lose both the opportunity to enjoy the concert, as well as the money invested in the tickets. The following guidelines are intended to help customers avoid purchasing counterfeit concert tickets online.

If you are interested in purchasing concert tickets online, be sure to do so from a reputable vendor operating a secure website. Most reputable vendors will be listed with the Better Business Bureau, as shown by a Better Business Bureau logo on their web site's front page. If in doubt, the authenticity of the logo can be verified by conducting a search for the business at the Better Business Bureau's web site.

The well known vendors will usually place logos for Verisign, Hacker Safe, or companies which are alike. These website addresses or URL, which is the credit card transaction part of the recognized site will start with "Https" as to "Http", this showing the encryption or activity so that others are protected with their transmitted information. Sometime you will also see a padlock which indicates activity of encryption.

You might be able to save a few bucks by purchasing tickets through online auction web sites, but you also must be aware of the risks as well. Money-back guarantees are usually offered by major vendors; however, auctions sites typically do not offer such a service. If you are going to buy concert tickets online via an auction site, make sure you do an in-depth investigation of the seller first.

Another good option would be to wait in line at the box office. Good seating can't be guaranteed when you buy your tickets at the last minute, though. Additionally, tickets will sell out quickly for the more popular events. Online transactions are the best way to guarantee that you will get good seating to popular events and to avoid the risk of sold out concert tickets.

Lastly, avoid purchasing tickets from street-side ticket scalpers. The risk of buying counterfeit or stolen tickets from scalpers is quite high. Furthermore, ticket scalping is against the law in many jurisdictions. Doing some background investigation of the concert ticket sales company will significantly decrease the possibility of a terrible surprise spoiling an unforgettable experience.