Michigan AG Launches Probe into International Online Ticket Scam Targeting University of Michigan Events

The University of Michigan’s Hill Auditorium is caught up in an alleged online ticket resale scheme. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced that her office is looking into Pure Tonic Marketing Ltd., a company thought to operate from Seychelles, and the unknown owner of Ticket Squeeze.

Authorities claim Pure Tonic ran the website thehillauditorium.com, which pretended to be linked to the university venue. This site offered tickets for upcoming events but redirected customers to Ticket Squeeze, where prices soared. For example, a customer thought they were buying tickets to a Berlin Philharmonic concert for $1,263.95, while the legitimate price was only $175 per ticket on the official site.

Nessel’s team is investigating further. “Misleading customers into thinking they are purchasing from a trusted source is unlawful,” she stated. The nonprofit University Musical Society, which puts on performances at Hill Auditorium, initially reported the issue. Sara Billmann, the society’s Vice President of Marketing and Communications, highlighted how harmful such practices can be for both buyers and nonprofit organizations.

In 2024, the university won a domain case against Pure Tonic, forcing the fraudulent site to link to the legitimate University Musical Society site. However, new impersonating sites have emerged.

To protect themselves, consumers should:

1. Know the Vendor: Buy from reputable sites. Fraudulent sites can imitate legitimate sellers.
2. Research: Call the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Team at 877-765-8388 to check if there are any complaints against a vendor.
3. Use Credit Cards: It’s safer than cash or apps like Venmo.
4. Shop Securely: Look for “https” in the website’s URL, and a padlock icon for security.

If you suspect you’ve been scammed, contact Michigan’s Consumer Protection Team at 517-335-7599 or file a complaint via their online form.

This incident highlights a larger trend affecting ticket buyers everywhere. In a recent survey, 42% of event-goers reported encountering fake ticketing websites. Many fans are eager to see their favorite acts perform, but scams like these threaten their experience and trust.

Stay informed. Protect yourself.

Source link

Scam Alert, Dana Nessel, University of Michigan