A "Taylor Swift scam" encompasses various fraudulent schemes that exploit the name and reputation of the renowned singer Taylor Swift. Scammers frequently leverage celebrity names to deceive individuals, leading them to part with their money or divulge personal information.
Several manifestations of a Taylor Swift scam include:
1. Fake Contests or Giveaways:
Scammers fabricate contests or giveaways falsely associated with Taylor Swift, urging participants to provide personal details or pay an entry fee. Promising concert tickets, merchandise, or other prizes, these scams result in financial loss or identity theft, as the scammer lacks any genuine affiliation with Taylor Swift.
2. Impersonation:
Fraudsters may impersonate Taylor Swift through social media, email, or other communication channels. Posing as the celebrity, they contact fans, soliciting money or personal information under the guise of supporting a charity or funding a project. Fans are advised to approach unsolicited messages with skepticism and verify the legitimacy of such requests.
3. Ticket Scams:
Scammers may peddle counterfeit or nonexistent concert tickets for Taylor Swift's performances. Victims, having paid in advance, discover the deception only upon reaching the venue, realizing they have fallen victim to a scam. Vigilance is crucial to avoid such fraudulent ticket transactions.
Taylor swift Social Media Scams
A Taylor Swift scam on social media is when dishonest individuals or groups use Taylor Swift's name or image to trick people. They might create fake accounts that look like Taylor Swift's official pages or pretend to sell concert tickets, merchandise, or exclusive content. These scammers often try to get personal information, money, or both from unsuspecting fans.
For example, they might claim to have special offers, contests, or giveaways related to Taylor Swift and ask fans to provide personal details or make payments. In some cases, they may sell fake tickets to Taylor Swift's concerts, leaving fans without a way to attend the event they paid for.
It's important for fans to be cautious on social media, verify the authenticity of accounts, and only interact with official channels associated with Taylor Swift. Genuine announcements, contests, or merchandise sales from Taylor Swift's team will typically be communicated through her verified and official social media accounts or website. If something seems suspicious or too good to be true, it's best to double-check and avoid sharing personal information or making any payments until authenticity is confirmed.
Social Media Scam samples on Taylor Swift
On October 22, 2023, an individual operating under the Facebook Marketplace alias "Johnny *" attempted to defraud by purportedly selling four Taylor Swift concert tickets for an Indianapolis event, each priced at $300. The scammer, requesting payment through Venmo to the account "***", subsequently asked the victim for an extra $400, claiming it as a fee for sending the tickets. Following the victim's payment, the scammer blocked them on both VENMO and Facebook Messenger. Regrettably, neither the money was refunded nor the promised tickets were ever delivered. It was later discovered that all the names used by the scammer were either fictitious or copied from other accounts.
Amount Lost $1200
Targeted Person's Location IA, USA- 52244
Web logo FB Marketplace
Scammer location Elk Grove Village, IL
Scam Type Online Purchase
An individual on Facebook asserted to be selling four Taylor Swift tickets for the 2024 Indianapolis event. Allegedly having four tickets available, they insisted I send them $960 to obtain two tickets through Ticketmaster. Despite attempting payment through three separate Venmo accounts, the transactions were unsuccessful. Eventually, we paid the person $480 for one ticket, but they failed to send it. Subsequently, they demanded additional funds to fulfill the ticket delivery, a request we did not comply with. Unfortunately, the individual neither sent the tickets nor refunded the $480 for the single ticket.
Amount Lost $480
Targeted Person's Location MI, USA- 49341
Web logo Facebook
Scammer location Bloomington, IN
Scam Type Online Purchase
A person using the name Maria Elise, who purported to be associated with the Goddard School, attempted to sell me Taylor Swift tickets. Initially, she made a post on a Disney podcast Facebook fan page. Upon conducting a search, I discovered a similar post and promptly blocked her before any further information exchange could occur.
Targeted Person's Location FL, USA- 34787
Web logo https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066383853538&sk=friends
Scammer location Unknown Location
Scam Type Online Purchase
Rebekah advertised four tickets to the Taylor Swift concert on October 26th, 2024, in New Orleans. Initially priced at $400 per ticket, she introduced additional fees after the transfer, citing a tax/fee for ticket transfer and later a name change fee. Subsequently, she claimed her husband disapproved of selling at such a low price, citing personal expenses as a reason for being unable to refund the money.
Amount Lost $2425
Targeted Person's Location MD, USA- 20815
Web logo Facebook group-New Orleans Saints Fans
Scammer location Purceville, VA
Scam Type Online Purchase
Several individuals fell victim to a woman selling Taylor Swift tickets for the New Orleans concert on October 25, Section 143, Row 33, Seats 2-5. Despite receiving payment, she fails to deliver the tickets and continues to post on social media.
Amount Lost $1650
Targeted Person's Location LA, USA- 70112
Web logo Venmo
Scammer location New Orleans, LA
Scam Type Online Purchase
In a local Hollywood Beach Facebook group, a post emerged offering Taylor Swift tickets for a show scheduled next year. I engaged in a conversation with an individual who appeared to be a local woman. The interaction seemed reasonable, and she requested $349 per ticket for a total of 4 tickets. She claimed the funds were to be sent to her husband's Zelle account, identified as Bryan Kollar. The name associated with her Facebook profile was Maria Elise. It appears that both identities might have been compromised.
To secure the tickets, I transferred half of the payment (following a test transfer of $10) with the agreement to send the remaining half upon receipt of all 4 tickets. The individual acknowledged the receipt of funds, asserted she was initiating the ticket transfer, and subsequently introduced additional charges, such as a fee for a name change and a 24-hour processing time. Suspecting a potential scam, I requested a refund while awaiting the ticket transfer. However, the person persisted in seeking the remaining $700 for the other 2 tickets.
Taking prompt action, I contacted Bank of America to report the situation. Unfortunately, they indicated their inability to intervene in the Bryan Kollar account until Tuesday, allowing the potential for further scams during this time. Seeking resolution, I am eager to retrieve my funds.
Amount Lost $710
Targeted Person's Location FL, USA- 33019
Web logo https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066383853538&sk=friends
Scammer location Hollywood Beach, FL
Scam Type Online Purchase
Hello, I'm reaching out from Berlin, Germany - for the purpose of submitting this report, I'll mention that I am currently in Cambridge, MA. The scammer, through a Facebook advertisement, promoted tickets for 31 Taylor Swift concerts, initially quoting a price of $500 per ticket but later revising it to $80 USD. Regrettably, I fell victim to this scheme and received a ticket that, upon closer examination, is evidently counterfeit. The names used during the interaction included "CH," and the ticket was sent from an account associated with wkm@gmail.com. Acknowledging my lapse in judgment, I recognize the need to report this incident. It is my hope that this information may prevent others from losing more money in similar scams.
Amount Lost $80
Targeted Person's Location NY, USA- 12205
Web logo Paypal
Scammer location Unknown Location
Scam Type Online Purchase
Dorothy made an attempt to sell Taylor Swift tickets. When I reached out, she mentioned that she communicates exclusively through Facebook Messenger, does not engage in in-person texting, and prefers transactions via Facebook Pay. She added that for Venmo transactions, she would use her sibling's account.
Targeted Person's Location Unknown Location
Web logo Facebook Messenger
Scammer location Westfield, IN
Scam Type Other
Nola Heckman, the administrator of the Facebook group "Taylor Swift Tickets 2024," requested payment via PayPal to be sent to Nickejia Smith (lovelylady0287@gmail.com) in exchange for Taylor Swift concert tickets. Unfortunately, after sending the money, they ceased responding to my messages, and it became evident that I fell victim to a scam. Despite the embarrassment, it is crucial to report this incident to prevent others from experiencing the same deception. I have reported the situation to Facebook, but as of now, the page remains active, posing a continued threat to potential victims.
Amount Lost $2000
Targeted Person's Location FL, USA- 34953
Web logo Facebook
Scammer location New Orleans, LA
Scam Type Online Purchase
An individual using the alias "Mary John" posed as a ticket seller and posted on the "Waitlisted For The Taylor Swift - The Eras Tour Presale" group on Facebook, claiming to have four tickets for sale for the Taylor Swift event at SoFi Stadium on Saturday, August 5th, 2023. Intrigued, I reached out to her, and she presented what appeared to be credible evidence—a screen recording of her Ticketmaster account displaying her name and the purported tickets.
Trusting the provided proof, I proceeded to send her the money for the tickets with the expectation that she would transfer them to me. However, contrary to her assurance, she failed to fulfill the transfer and, more alarmingly, ceased responding to my Facebook messages, leaving me without the promised tickets and at a loss.
Amount Lost $600
Targeted Person's Location Unknown Location
Web logo Facebook
Scammer location Los Angeles, CA
Scam Type Online Purchase
Taylor swift scam websites
A Taylor Swift scam using websites happens when dishonest people create fake websites that pretend to be associated with Taylor Swift. These websites may claim to sell Taylor Swift merchandise, concert tickets, or exclusive content. They use Taylor Swift's name and image to trick fans into making purchases or providing personal information.
For instance, these scammers might set up a fake online store selling merchandise that looks like Taylor Swift's official products. Fans who make purchases on these fake sites may receive low-quality or counterfeit items, or they may not receive anything at all.
In other cases, scammers may offer fake concert tickets for Taylor Swift's shows. Fans who buy these tickets might later find out that they are not valid, leaving them unable to attend the concert they were looking forward to.
To avoid falling for these scams, it's important for fans to only make purchases from official and reputable websites associated with Taylor Swift. Official announcements about merchandise, tickets, or other offerings will typically come from Taylor Swift's verified social media accounts or official website. If a website looks suspicious or unfamiliar, it's best to verify its authenticity before making any purchases or providing personal information. Staying cautious and using trusted sources helps fans avoid falling victim to scams and ensures a safer online experience.
Taylor swift scam Website samples
The fraudulent individual operates a Taylor Swift merchandise website that mirrors the legitimate one. The scammer assured a shipping timeframe of 2 to 4 days for the merchandise. After almost a month of waiting, I contacted them to express my non-receipt of the ordered items. Following my inquiry, they eventually dispatched the merchandise, but to my disappointment, what arrived did not align with my original order. Instead of the two Christmas ornaments I had requested, they sent two small keychains, a far cry from the expected items.
Amount Lost $50
Targeted Person's Location IN, USA- 46825
Web logo Taylorswiftsmerch.com
Scammer location Bloomington, CA- 92316
Scam Type Online Purchase
Conducting an online search for Taylor Swift merchandise led me to the website against which I am registering a complaint. The site presented itself as a credible business, appearing to be Taylor Swift's official platform for purchasing her merchandise. With the intention of buying her tour clothing for the Christmas holiday, I made a purchase, anticipating that it would be shipped promptly. Subsequently, when I attempted to contact the company through their service email address, my email was bounced back. In an attempt to find alternative means of communication, I searched the website for a phone number or other contact details but was unsuccessful.
Amount Lost $102
Targeted Person's Location PA, USA- 19130
Web logo Erastourshops.com
Scammer location Unknown Location
Scam Type Online Purchase
While searching for Taylor Swift merchandise, my boyfriend and I encountered the website www.taylorswiftmerch.com. Strikingly similar to the official website, it shared the same background design and listed similar items. Having previously visited her official site, I overlooked the differences. The website even claimed to be secure during our visit. We opted for a lavender haze sweatshirt, which offered choices of cotton or velvet—a bit confusing initially but didn't raise significant concerns at the time.
Upon placing the order, the confirmation email lacked details about the payment method, simply stating "umipay." Despite the email suggesting inquiries, my response received no reply. The email address provided in the "contact us" section on the website also proved non-functional. It has now been four days, and we have yet to receive any communication with a tracking number. Regrettably, we find ourselves out $71, intended for my Christmas gift. Additionally, there is growing concern about the security of my boyfriend's credit card information. It's crucial to exercise caution as the website closely mimics Taylor Swift's official site.
Amount Lost $71
Targeted Person's Location OH, USA- 44004
Scammer location Wan Chai
Web logo www.taylorswiftsmerch.com
Scam Type Online Purchase
I placed an order for a Taylor Swift calendar. Despite reaching out twice via email to inquire about the status of my order, both emails were returned as undeliverable.
Amount Lost $24
Targeted Person's Location WA, USA- 98563
Web logo https://www.gelmalls.com
Scammer location Unknown Location
Scam Type Online Purchase
Presented as a Taylor Swift Merch shop, but it is a fraudulent operation.
Amount Lost $99
Targeted Person's Location OH, USA- 45828
Web logo https://www.taylormerch.com/
Scammer location IA
Scam Type Online Purchase
The sale of Taylor Swift merchandise occurred on a website replicating the Taylor Swift Nation website. Despite ordering Taylor Swift "1989" sweatshirts, they were never delivered, and all attempts to contact someone for a refund have been unsuccessful.
Amount Lost $90
Targeted Person's Location NY, USA- 14125
Web logo Taylorswifymerch.com
Scammer location Unknown Location
Scam Type Online Purchase
Presenting themselves as the "official Taylor Swift" merch shop, they showcase similar products on their website, creating an appearance of legitimacy. However, upon receiving a confirmation email from a non-official Chinese email address, suspicions arise. Attempts to cancel the order within minutes are met with resistance, as they insist on charging 6.9% of the order and refuse to cancel it.
Amount Lost $143
Targeted Person's Location Unknown Location
Scammer location Unknown Location
Web logo https://www.taylorswiftsmerch.com/
Scam Type Online Purchase
Made a payment for an item on October 1, 2023, but never received it. Despite reaching out via email 4-5 times since then, there has been no response. Requests for a refund have also gone unanswered, and there is no phone number listed for further contact.
Amount Lost $36
Targeted Person's Location KY, USA- 42101
Web logo https://wildpoppylane.com/
Scammer location Unknown Location
Scam Type Online Purchase
In early August, I placed an order for a Taylor Swift crewneck sweatshirt. After several weeks passed without any shipping updates, I reached out to the website via email but received no response. Subsequently, I contacted my credit card company, and they reimbursed me for the purchase. Approximately six weeks later, I finally received the product, only to find that it was made of cheap material and did not match the image displayed on the website. Conversations with others on Facebook who had also purchased from this individual, Tiffany Shaw, revealed similar experiences, including products with misspellings and errors.
Amount Lost $35
Targeted Person's Location UT, USA- 84054
Web logo https://spiffy-design-co.myshopify.com/
Scammer location MI
Scam Type Online Purchase
Appears to be Taylor Swift's Official Store, but after making a purchase, confirmation emails are sent through fraudulent email accounts.
Amount Lost $43
Targeted Person's Location Unknown Location
Web logo www.taylorswiftmerchshop.com
Scammer location Unknown Location
Scam Type Online Purchase