Secondary ticketing sites face crackdown over breaking consumer laws

Secondary ticketing sites are to face increased scrutiny from the Competition & Markets Authority following an investigation into the sector.

The CMA said on Tuesday it will take enforcement action against websites suspected of breaking consumer protection law.

While the body said that some of the sites in question had taken steps during the investigation to alleviate some of the “widespread concerns” from consumers in the sector, many still had some way to go.

Musicians and fans have criticised ticketing sites in the past for facilitating the practice of ticket touting, with some concert and sports event attendees being charged five or six times of the original ticket price.

Musicians and fans have criticised ticketing sites in the past for facilitating the practice of ticket touting

CMA chief executive Andrea Coscelli said : “We are putting our concerns to these websites and will be requiring the changes necessary to tackle them. We will use the full range of our powers to get the right outcome for these sites’ customers – including taking action through the courts if needed.”

Many of the findings of the investigation are related to customers not being informed by the site of the details of tickets.

The CMA added that its original investigation will be expanded to include newly-discovered issues such as pressure selling and speculative selling, as well as sites which make it difficult for consumers to receive money back from fraudulent tickets.

“Thousands of people use these sites and they have a right to know if there is a risk that they will be turned away at the door, who they’ve bought their ticket from or exactly what seat at the venue they’re getting for their money,” Coscelli added.

According to reports earlier this year, the offices of secondary ticketing sites Viagogo and StubHub were raided by CMA officials after they failed to hand over details of their ticket sources.