Regarding Ticket Scalpers & Scammers

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Before posting about ticket scalpers or scammers, or before purchasing tickets or vehicle passes in the after-market, please read the following important information.

SCALPERS
While we frown upon the practice of selling above face value, it is important to note that scalping is legal in the state of Nevada (whose laws govern the event). ePlaya may not be used to coordinate attacks or harassment of ticket scalpers. Threads about or linking to ticket sales or auctions on third party sites are not allowed, even if it's just to express your shock and outrage. We don't want to give those sites any additional page views.

If you see a marked-up listing on eBay, please see this post for instructions on reporting it.

IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION REGARDING A POSSIBLE TICKET SCAM
Please contact your local authorities first and foremost, and fill out a mail fraud report! Since it's a third party transaction, Burning Man has no legal recourse, it's up to you to report it so the bad guys can get caught and prosecuted. Then please send an email with the relevant details to fraud@burningman.com. Note that the Burning Man ticket team is not able to provide ticket verification services for after-market ticket sales. Please do not send in requests to confirm tickets.

DO NOT POST your own scam warnings on ePlaya or another person's personal data on a public board (especially ePlaya). People in the US are innocent until proven guilty, and while you may have good intentions it could get you into some sticky situations with regards to privacy laws, harassment, and so on. You're good people, we don't want you getting into that kind of trouble.

SCAM WARNINGS
If you purchase tickets through a third party we highly suggest you meet in person (and take reasonable precautions) for the tickets and not risk buying through the mail. The ePlaya is a good place to post buying or selling tickets (once our ticket boards have opened up for the season). Remember - nobody will have physical tickets to sell before ticket fulfillment starts in mid-June. Anyone claiming otherwise is a scammer.

Here are scams to look out for that have happened in the past:

• Seller requires that electronic payment be made using a payment method that has no buyer protection - Bitcoin, Western Union, etc. Recourse: none
• Seller gives ticket details from another person's tickets and may even produce copy of confirmation email. Doesn't actually have the tickets though, then collects money via mail or Paypal and cuts off contact with buyer. Recourse: possible chargeback through Paypal, no recourse if money order or cash
• Seller gives their ticket details out, collects money and mails an empty envelope or nothing at all. Recourse: possible chargeback through Paypal, no recourse if money order or cash
• Seller claims tickets can be printed out at home using a special link they will give out. Collects money and sends bogus email, then cuts off contact. NOTE: BURNING MAN TICKETS CANNOT BE PRINTED AT HOME. Recourse: possible chargeback through Paypal, no recourse if money order or cash

Information regarding known ticket scams will be posted below as replies to this thread, as we receive information from the Burning Man ticket team.

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When using an online payment service (such as PayPal or Amazon Payments), we highly recommend looking carefully at the buyer protection that you get with the method of payment you are sending. For example, personal or gift transactions typically afford no buyer protection and should be avoided unless the seller is someone you know well and are comfortable buying from.

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Below is a list of ticket numbers and vehicle passes that have been voided. To check a confirmation code easily, use the find function in your web browser and type in the number you're checking on. Tickets listing these numbers are not valid for entry to Burning Man 2014 and will not work when scanned at the front gate of the event. Tickets can be canceled for various reasons, including (but not limited to) being reported as stolen and being sold at a price inflated above face value. Please note that just because a ticket number does not appear on this list does not guarantee its authenticity & validity. More information about avoiding fraud and buying third party tickets can be found on the Ticket Support FAQ.

Tickets:
00994228049314
00994228612582
00994228612681
00994227974166
00994231162483
00994231036542
00994230004265
00994230004364
00994230004463

Vehicle Passes:
00994217507631
00994218941790
00994219174958
00994219069116
00994219132582
00994219132681
00994219132780
00994218898819

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We have received and are sharing some pictures of KNOWN COUNTERFEIT TICKETS. Please be aware, and be careful, when purchasing tickets from an unknown or untrusted source. Click on an image to see a larger version.

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With kind permission, I'm adding my own personal tips and suggestions for buying tickets in person...

If you’re ever meeting someone in person for a face-to-face ticket transaction, first off - bring someone with you and meet in a public place. Second, I would still insist that the money be transferred via paypal (let the seller know that in advance, so it doesn't sound like you're trying to play games at the last second). Smartphones with web access or a Paypal app allow both parties to verify the transfer, and unlike cash it provides both buyer protection and a paper trail. In my personal opinion, it’s worth offering the seller to pay the additional fees.

I also recommend that if you’re buying from a complete stranger (and not someone in your network of friends) asking to take a picture of the seller, and asking to see and possibly photograph the ID. If they’re uncomfortable with letting you photograph the ID that’s somewhat understandable, but take note of the name (if it’s different from what they’ve previously told you), as well as the city/state of residence. I know that may sound incredibly silly and paranoid - but it’s something that a legitimate seller will probably be okay with, and a scammer will try to avoid.

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SPECIAL SCAM ALERT!

Ticketfly support is getting numerous reports that one "Chris Sanchez" is selling tickets via.. they're not sure what means (maybe Craigslist). He is scamming people using an old confirmation (presumably one from a previous year and ticketing vendor).

Chris Sanchez has no orders in Ticketfly. He took Ticketfly's info and overwrote it. The total charge is wrong, the date is wrong (it lists "Monday Aug 24") and other bits don't add up.