Tickets...is there a way to tell if they're fake?

[Jenn121]

Okay, besides the obvious UTWO or something, is there a way to tell if my tickets are legit? I just bought them from someone on craigslist who said he wouldn't be able to attend the show. They came in the mail today and look legit, but I know lots of people have been scammed by tickets that looked real. Any ways to tell the difference?

I don't even care so much about the money as much as the disappointment of showing up to the show in December all pumped up only to find I have fakes. I used ticketfast for the show I saw in June, so I have no stubs to compare.

Thanks!

 

[Fuzz332]

I know of 2 ways 2 do this.
tear a small part of the ticket. the front and the back of the ticket is white but a ticketmaster ticket has light blue paper on the inside. I guess its like carbon paper. the other way is to put a match under the bottom of the ticket for about 1 or 2 seconds. do this away from the bar code. the bottom of the ticket will not turn black but the top will. try this on an old ticket stub first. and I guess a better way would be to light a match put it out and then touch the bottom of the ticket. if the ticket goes up in flames it was a paper ticket and it was a fake.
I shouldnt have to say this but this is for regular tickets not ticketfast.

 

[MTEdge]

Or... You can send the tickets to me, and I'll use a trustworthy scanner. I'll send the tickets back to you promptly... after the show.

BTW, Fuzz's recommendations are spot on.

 

[neutral]

Ithe other way is to put a match under the bottom of the ticket for about 1 or 2 seconds. do this away from the bar code. the bottom of the ticket will not turn black but the top will. try this on an old ticket stub first. and I guess a better way would be to light a match put it out and then touch the bottom of the ticket. if the ticket goes up in flames it was a paper ticket and it was a fake.

I can confirm firsthand that this is true and it works.

 

[Zoomerang96]

well, if it doesn't have the hollogram, if it doesn't at least say something about "u2" on it, and most importantly, if it's printed on a cracker (and partly eaten) - i'd say it's a fake.

7ust ask homer.

 

[Ellay]

Put it in a bucket of tepid water for three-five minutes, then hold it up to a 100W light at an angle of 45 degrees to see the hidden watermark.

You'll be able to read the lyrics from one of Bono's (now returned) October scripts.

 

[Dusty Bottoms]

If you eat them and they taste like peanut butter, than they are real.

 

[U2FanPeter]

Is it possible to go to a ticketmaster office and get them reprinted with a new barcode?

 

[Jenn121]

Thank you for all of your helpful suggestions. I have now burned, soaked, and then eaten my tickets. When I held them up to the light they said "The song is called 'WAKE UP' by Arcade Fire". I guess I'll hope that they are real and that my scorched, soggy, half-eaten tickets scan in.

 

[Jenn121]

Okay, I really did tear the corner a bit and it has blue paper inside....I feel better, thank you, Fuzz!