Police warning over fake London Olympics 2012 tickets

The rise in the use of the Internet to buy tickets and accommodation packages online, coupled with the huge expected demand, gives criminals new opportunities to sell non-existent tickets and steal personal and credit card details to use in other crimes.

More than 8,000,000 tickets will be made available for the Olympic Games and a further 2,000,000 for the Paralympics. The ticket process for the Olympic Games opens tomorrow and runs until April 26th. By taking some simple steps anyone buying a ticket can keep help prevent them becoming a victim.

Detective Superintendent Simon Giles, of Lancashire Police, said: “The 2012 Games will be one of the biggest sporting events this country has ever hosted, with nearly 11,000,000 tickets available for events across the country.

“Criminals will be looking for ways to con and steal, either through selling fake tickets or setting up professional-looking sites which may look honest, but could leave you a victim.

“There is some easy-to-follow advice which will help keep you safe and ensure you enjoy the Games next year.”

If you’re buying a ticket for the Games:

The London 2012 ticket application process opens tomorrow and you have until April 26th to apply for tickets through LOCOG as tickets are not allocated on a first come first served basis.

The only way to apply for a ticket in the UK is at www.tickets.london2012.com. This is London 2012’s official site. You can also get a postal application from any Lloyds TSB branch, or any public library in Northern Ireland. Don’t buy a ticket from an unauthorised website or tout. You risk being scammed, and not getting the ticket you wanted and paid for.

If you get a ticket for an event you can’t attend, you can return your ticket to get a refund through the London 2012 official ticket exchange. Your ticket will then be officially resold. Details of this will be announced in due course.

There are only three official providers for Games Breaks and Hospitality Packages in the UK - these are: Thomas Cook - www.thomascooklondon2012.com; Prestige Travel - www.prestigeticketing.london2012.com - and Jet Set Travel - www.jetsetsports.com

Other websites or companies will not be authorised to sell you a ticket as part of a package in the UK. Always check the terms and conditions to see exactly what you are being sold;

Outside the UK, London 2012 tickets are sold through the country’s National Olympic Committee, or their authorised retailer.

If you find tickets for sale from any unauthorised source at anytime, don’t buy them. They are not genuine. Report it to your local police, or London 2012 via [email protected]