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Irish Daily Mirror
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Irish festival goers warned of ticket scams as major festivals approach
Irish festival goers are being warned of ticket scams, as fraudsters target young people rushing to grab last minute passes to festivals. A worrying trend has been seen in scam activity targeting festival goers, particularly people in their 20s, with fake websites and bogus resellers exploiting those looking for last minute tickets. Now, as some major summer festivals like Electric Picnic, Longitude, and All Together Now approach, cybersecurity experts are warning Irish music fans to stay alert amid a spike in online ticket scams. George Foley, of ESET Ireland, says: 'We're seeing a worrying rise in scam activity targeting festivalgoers, especially young people in their 20s. 'Fake ticketing websites and bogus resellers on social media are exploiting the rush for last-minute deals. 'It's vital to resist the temptation of seemingly good offers from unofficial sources; they're often too good to be true.' In the UK alone, victims lost over £1.6 million in 2024 to concert ticket scams. With similar patterns expected in Ireland, ESET is urging festival fans to take extra precautions: 'Cybercriminals know that excitement can override caution,' Foley adds. 'With organised gangs making serious money off fake tickets, it's crucial to slow down, verify, and only buy from trusted sources.' More advice on staying secure is available here.
Irish Independent
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Rise in ticket fraud expected ahead of major festivals as scammers target twentysomethings
Major events including Electric Picnic, Longitude, and All Together Now are scheduled to take place. And there's been an increase in ticket fraud as events approach. George Foley, of ESET Ireland, an internet security company, said: 'We're seeing a worrying rise in scam activity targeting festivalgoers, especially young people in their 20s. "Fake ticketing websites and bogus resellers on social media are exploiting the rush for last-minute deals. It's vital to resist the temptation of seemingly good offers from unofficial sources; they're often too good to be true.' The company advised consumers: Always buy from official platforms, the venue or the artist's verified site; avoid taking ticket screenshots, as they can be easily duplicated; look for modern security features, such as moving barcodes or Apple/Google Wallet integration; be cautious of sellers who use generic emails or make urgent requests for bank transfers. 'Cybercriminals know that excitement can override caution,' Mr Foley said. 'With organised gangs making serious money off fake tickets, it's crucial to slow down, verify, and only buy from trusted sources.' The internet security expert warned young people to think twice before letting the idea of a 'dream gig' turning into a 'costly mistake.' In the UK, victims lost over €1 million in 2024 to concert ticket scams. ESET said there are 'similar patterns expected in Ireland'. Gardaí advised consumers who believe they've been the victim of an online scam to report it to their local garda station and to use an online reporting service if they were scammed on a website or forum. "When reporting to your local gardaí, bring copies of all emails, account details, copies of the advertisement of online posting and any other relevant information you may have,' gardaí said. Some of the biggest events of the summer include Oasis at Croke Park, which is takes place on August 16 and 17. A lot of fans missed out on tickets when they went on sale. While Electric Picnic will take place in Stradbally, Co Laois, from August 29 to 31, the line up includes a number of high profile acts such as Chappell Roan, Sam Fender, Hozier and Kings of Leon. Ticketmaster has also issued safety advice ahead of concerts and events. The company stated the best way to secure genuine tickets is to buy them via an official ticketing agent or venue. The company also advised that fans should always check artists' official websites to see where official tickets are listed. Consumers were also advised to avoid buying tickets on social media platforms and from unverified sellers. Those tickets are often duplicates or fake. People should also avoid buying tickets before events have been officially announced and double check website addresses to make sure the website is not fake. Fraudulent websites are mimicking websites but one click on the address will identify if the site is realm Ticketmaster advised.
Dublin Live
15-06-2025
- Dublin Live
Smart camera spying warning as Irish homes at risk by 'silent intruders'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Irish homeowners with smart security cameras have been issued a stark warning. Thousands of internet-connected cameras may be vulnerable to hacking, allowing strangers to watch inside homes and businesses. These cameras could be streaming live footage to anyone who knows where to look. A new global investigation has revealed more than 40,000 exposed security cameras online, accessible without passwords or authentication. While most are in the US and Asia, Irish cybersecurity experts say homes and businesses here are also at serious risk, given the surge in connected devices. The exposed devices, uncovered by cybersecurity firm Bitsight, include indoor and outdoor cameras streaming via unprotected HTTP or RTSP protocols. Many are still using default login credentials or have remote viewing enabled by default, allowing footage to be accessed, recorded, or even hijacked without the owner's knowledge. This isn't just about baby monitors or children's bedrooms. Exposed cameras can and have led to: Real-time surveillance of family routines for stalking or planned burglary. Monitoring of employees in small shops and cafés without their consent. Access to private medical or therapeutic sessions in home offices. Footage used for harassment, blackmail or 'creepware' sharing on the dark web. Anti-virus firm, ESET Ireland has issued an urgent 5-step checklist to secure cameras and prevent digital break-ins: Change default usernames and passwords immediately. Turn off remote access features unless absolutely necessary. Update firmware regularly to patch vulnerabilities. Buy only from trusted brands that provide encryption and updates. Use a firewall or VPN to shield connected devices from outside access. George Foley, Business Development Manager at ESET Ireland, said: "People buy cameras for peace of mind but when those devices are left unsecured, they become silent intruders. You wouldn't leave your front door open. Yet thousands of households are doing just that digitally every single day. "We've seen cases where people were watched over weeks until a criminal knew exactly when the house would be empty. And in some scenarios, camera feeds were sold or traded in forums. It's a complete reversal of trust.' Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
