Last updated on June 17, 2026.

Vancouver has welcomed its share of massive moments. From global soccer matches to sold-out nights with Taylor Swift and The Weeknd. When big events roll into Vancouver, fans are eager, energized, and often ready to act fast. Fraudsters know this. They thrive on urgency, excitement, and the fear of missing out, using it to push fake tickets, bogus resale offers and too-good-to-be-true VIP packages.  

In 2025, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) received almost 109,000, fraud reports from Canadians, totalling over $704 million in losses. And scammers keep finding new ways to package old tricks. 

With soccer-related buzz taking over Vancouver, here’s how to protect yourself and spot even the most official-looking scams. 

What are event-related scams?

Event-related fraud refers to scams that use excitement to trick people into sending money or sharing personal information. These scams can involve fake tickets, or resale offers, VIP experiences, merchandise promotions, giveaways, exclusive hospitality packages, fan events, or, really, any offer connected to the event. 

These scams often follow familiar fraud models designed to create urgency and lower your guard. Popular models include: 

• Phishing scams that send you emails or texts about an event promotion to trick you into entering your banking or credit card information. 

• Fake ticket scams where fraudsters take payment for tickets that are counterfeit, invalid, or never delivered. 

• Overpayment scams, when a fraudster says they “accidentally” sent you too much money and then ask for a refund. This leaves you out of pocket when the original payment turns out to be fraudulent. 

• Fraudulent promotions with fake contests, giveaways, or voucher offers that lure you into clicking on malicious links or sharing personal details. 

Scams often look legitimate, feel urgent, and can seem like a great deal at the time. Maybe it’s a social media seller offering tickets below market value. It could be a text promising a VIP package if you pay in advance. Or a convincing email offering merch, free swag, or a limited-time promotion that links you to a fake checkout page. 

What even-related fraud can look like: a hypothetical real-life situation.

A Vancity member, named Natasha, receives a text message promoting a limited-time hospitality package for a sporting event she wants to attend. It’s a set of tickets at a fraction of the regular cost, plus a $100 merchandise voucher. But only if she purchases before midnight. 

The message feels legitimate. Natasha clicks the link. She gets to an official-looking website with proper branding. There are even reviews on the site from others who have purchased tickets.  

Natasha doesn’t think twice, and she: 

• Sends an Interac e-Transfer® to reserve the package. 

• Enters her credit card information to claim the voucher. 

• Logs into what appears to be a secure payment portal to complete the transaction. 

Natasha excitedly messages her friend to say she’s bought them tickets and to confirm her status as “greatest friend ever.”  

The tickets never arrive, but Natasha’s problems do. Fraudulent charges show up on her credit card. And because she entered information on a phishing site, scammers are now attempting to access her accounts to drain her finances.  

Luckily, Natasha calls Vancity right away. We jump in, securing her accounts, investigating the suspicious activity, and walking her through the next steps. Scammers might move fast, but so does Vancity.

How can you protect yourself from event-related fraud? Here are the red flags to look out for.

Scams don’t necessarily come with spelling mistakes and sketchy email addresses. AI has made scams harder to spot. Fraudsters now use AI-generated websites, fake reviews, and even deepfake videos impersonating athletes and officials to appear legitimate.  

In fact, a recent study showed over 4300 likely fraudulent domain registrations related to a certain  2026, large soccer event. A polished look is no longer a sign of trustworthiness. 

A few warning signs: 

• Anything (ticket prices, promotions, offers) that seems too good to be true. 

• Pressure to act immediately. Watch out for language like “Act fast!” and “Only a few left!”  

• Requests to pay by Interac e-Transfer®, or other hard-to-recover payment methods. 

• Links that direct you to unfamiliar login or payment pages. And if it’s a familiar page, check the URL for misspellings or dashes that shouldn’t be there.  

• Sellers who avoid verifying tickets through official channels. 

• Promotions offering free swag, vouchers, or VIP upgrades in exchange for payment or personal information. 

Don’t let scammers win. Our top 6 anti-fraud tips.

1. Use official platforms. 

If you’re buying, selling, or exchanging tickets, stick to official ticketing and resale platforms. Be cautious when searching online, as scam websites can sometimes appear in promoted search results. And if someone is asking you to go around the official process, that’s a big red flag. 

Double-check the URL and make sure you’re using the official website before entering payment information. 

2. Pause before acting. 

Scammers love urgency. Limited-time ticket deals, VIP experiences that are going fast, exclusive merch drops, or free giveaways if you “act now”.”  

Take a beat. A real deal rarely expires in the time it takes to make a cup of coffee. A scammer, on the other hand, would prefer you never stop to think.  

3. Verify the deal and the person. 

If you’re checking reviews, look beyond the star rating. Fraudulent sellers and websites can use fake or AI-generated reviews to appear trustworthy. Be cautious if most reviews were posted within a short period of time, or seem unusually similar.  

Before sending money for anything related to the event: 

• Don’t click links sent by sellers. 

• Go directly to the official site on your own.  

• Verify ticket details independently. 

• Review seller history carefully. 

4. Protect your money. 

Interac e-Transfers® can feel casual, but they work more like cash. Once funds are sent and accepted, they may not be recoverable. 

That’s why you should never send money to someone you don’t know or trust. And remember: Vancity will never ask for your passwords, access codes, or one-time passcodes by phone, email, or text. That information belongs to you. 

Where possible, use a credit card for purchases from unfamiliar sellers. Credit cards typically offer fraud protection that makes it easier to dispute unauthorized charges. Interac e-Transfers®, while secure for sending money to people you know and trust, don’t offer the same chargeback protections when paying unknown vendors. 

5. Be cautious with QR codes. 

During major events, scammers may place QR code stickers near stadiums, fan zones, transit stations, or event venues promoting giveaways, contests, ticket upgrades, or exclusive offers. 

Before scanning, ask yourself whether the code comes from a trusted source. If you do scan it, check the website address before proceeding, and never enter banking information or passwords on a site you weren’t expecting to visit. 

6. If something feels off, contact us right away. 

Think you may have clicked a fraudulent link? Sent money you’re a little unsure about? Shared personal information? 

Hey, it happens! But you do need to report it right away.  

The sooner fraud is reported, the sooner steps can be taken to help protect your accounts and limit further damage. 

If you think you’ve been targeted, contact Vancity immediately: 

• In person: Visit a branch. 

• By phone: 604-877-7000 (or toll-free: +1-888-826-2489). 

You can also use the Vancity Report an Incident page to view all specific contact numbers or email us about cybersecurity threats. And be sure to report the incident to your local police and to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. 

Event excitement is great. Panic-buying is not. 

Event-related scams work because they tap into excitement, urgency, and FOMO. Scammers know that, and they’ve spent time and effort making their fraud look as legitimate as possible.  

A quick pause, a little verification, and a healthy dose of skepticism can go a long way toward protecting your money. The only thing worse than missing the match is paying for an experience that never existed in the first place. 

Event-related scams FAQ. Event-related scams FAQ.  

Are event tickets safe to buy online? 

Yes, legitimate tickets are safe to buy when purchased through the official ticketing platform. However, scammers may create fake websites, phishing messages, or fraudulent resale offers that appear connected to the event in question. 

Are resale tickets legitimate? 

Some resale tickets may be legitimate, but fraud risks are higher when buying from unofficial sellers or marketplaces. For the safest experience, use the event’s official resale platform when available. 

What should I do if I think I’ve been targeted by an event-related scam? 

If you’ve been targeted by an event-related scam, contact your financial institution immediately, monitor your accounts for suspicious activity, and report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. Acting quickly can help reduce potential losses. 

How can I avoid event-related ticket scams? 

Use official platforms, verify website URLs, and avoid deals that seem too good to be true. And never, ever, share banking passwords or one-time passcodes with anyone.