Published Monday, 04 August, 2008 at 03:21 PM
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland
The Honourable Kerry Shine
Shine encourages Queensland consumers to report Beijing ticketing scam
Consumers who have bought tickets to Olympic events via the fake ticketing website www.beijingticketing.com can contact a national helpline to lodge a complaint and find out more about their options, the Office of Fair Trading advised today.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine said New South Wales set up the national helpline to assist Australian consumers and assess the extent of the Olympic ticketing scam.
“The United-Sates based Beijing ticketing website is believed to be involved in a fraud concerning fake Olympic tickets,” Mr Shine said.
“If you have purchased tickets from this website, I advise you to contact the national hotline number 1800 055 555 immediately.
“The hotline is collecting information from consumers for referral to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and other international consumer agencies.
“Consumers who have paid for tickets by credit card or paypal should also contact the appropriate organisation and apply to get their money back.
“I encourage consumers to do this immediately as many organisations have strict timeframes to lodge complaints about payment disputes.”
While many websites selling tickets to sporting events can look very official, it is important to be on the lookout for scammers when buying tickets and goods online.
“The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has an official ticketing outlet to sell tickets to Australians wanting to attend Olympic events,” Mr Shine said.
“If you are buying tickets to any sporting event and are in doubt contact the event organisers first to check.
“It is very important that you do this before you hand over any money.
“If you are going to an international or interstate event consider using a licensed travel agent who can book you a package including tickets, flights and accommodation. Licensed travel agents can also provide more consumer protection should something go wrong.”
Mr Shine said consumers should be particularly careful when they are buying things online.
“Be careful when sending money overseas, as you will not be protected by Australian laws if something goes wrong,” he said.
For more information on avoiding online scams visit www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au or call 13 13 04.
Media contact: Kate Lennox 3224 4781 or 0421 127 869
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine said New South Wales set up the national helpline to assist Australian consumers and assess the extent of the Olympic ticketing scam.
“The United-Sates based Beijing ticketing website is believed to be involved in a fraud concerning fake Olympic tickets,” Mr Shine said.
“If you have purchased tickets from this website, I advise you to contact the national hotline number 1800 055 555 immediately.
“The hotline is collecting information from consumers for referral to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and other international consumer agencies.
“Consumers who have paid for tickets by credit card or paypal should also contact the appropriate organisation and apply to get their money back.
“I encourage consumers to do this immediately as many organisations have strict timeframes to lodge complaints about payment disputes.”
While many websites selling tickets to sporting events can look very official, it is important to be on the lookout for scammers when buying tickets and goods online.
“The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has an official ticketing outlet to sell tickets to Australians wanting to attend Olympic events,” Mr Shine said.
“If you are buying tickets to any sporting event and are in doubt contact the event organisers first to check.
“It is very important that you do this before you hand over any money.
“If you are going to an international or interstate event consider using a licensed travel agent who can book you a package including tickets, flights and accommodation. Licensed travel agents can also provide more consumer protection should something go wrong.”
Mr Shine said consumers should be particularly careful when they are buying things online.
“Be careful when sending money overseas, as you will not be protected by Australian laws if something goes wrong,” he said.
For more information on avoiding online scams visit www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au or call 13 13 04.
Media contact: Kate Lennox 3224 4781 or 0421 127 869