Threat actors of all shapes and sizes use attacks that are equally diverse to try and part you with your money. Brand impersonation is high on that list, with everything from Netflix surveys, social media platforms such as X, and leading entertainment franchises in the crosshairs. Let’s face it, with her Grammy Awards success firmly in the media spotlight right now, entertainment franchises don’t come much hotter than Beyoncé. A fact that hasn’t escaped the attention of hackers and fraudsters, as one cybersecurity expert has warned as Cowboy Carter tour ticket scams move center stage. Here’s what you need to know.
Beyoncé is riding high with her music continuing to evolve and gain widespread recognition among her fans and peers alike. The success of the Cowboy Carter album is proof of this, and with the Cowboy Carter tour set to play across venues in the U.S. and beyond, the clamour for tickets is going to attract those who want to part you from your cash without satisfying your desire to see Beyoncé perform her hits live on stage. Marc Porcar, CEO of QR Code Generator has now issued a warning for those fans: “Scammers frequently pose as official sellers or ticket platforms,” Porcar said, “so it’s essential to double-check the sender’s email address and the website URL for any signs of illegitimacy, such as misspellings or unusual characters.”
Porcar points to three commonplace attack methodologies used by ticket scammers that Beyoncé fans should be aware of:
- Fake listings where these are used in an attempt to trick people into paying for tickets, often at seemingly too-good-to-be-true prices, that simply do not exist.
- Phishing scams are using fraudulent emails or messages that mimic legitimate booking sites to steal personal or financial information.
- Payment fraud is where the attackers request payment using wire transfers or prepaid gift cards, rather than the secure platforms that you can trust to protect the transaction.
I would another to that list, sorry Marc, and that’s fake QR codes. These can be used to redirect buyers away from genuine sites and into the hands of the scammers.
Source: Forbes