An Ottawa couple is feeling responsible after they arranged to buy Taylor Swift tickets for their close extended family. Thousands of dollars later and no tickets, they are telling their story in hopes it may serve as a warning for others. Cybersecurity experts tell CTV News Ottawa that ticket scams for Taylor Swift shows are proving to be unprecedented and that buying from any third party always comes with risks.
Cybersecurity technology analyst Ritesh Kotak says it's because Taylor Swift Eras Tour tickets are a hot commodity. "It has created this perfect storm for fraudsters and hackers to exploit," he said. "And we've seen scams in overdrive.
" He says parents trying to give their children the experience of a lifetime is leading some to fall for tickets that aren't real. On Sunday, Melanie Keogh spoke to CTV News Ottawa , saying her 15-year-old daughter Jordan and her five friends, long time Taylor Swift fans, had been counting down the days to the concert, but now the families are counting their losses after losing over $22,000 to a scam. "For the girls - to have to break to them that we weren't going was horrendous," said Keogh with tears in her eyes.
They had bought more than 30 tickets for Swift's Nov. 23 show in Toronto, a large group made up of extended family and friends who would all attend the concert. Limos, hotels and a once-and-a-lifetime concert experience are now gone.
Sister-in-law Patricia Keogh says they used a broker they knew, had met face-to-face and had.