Premier League fans issued warning over common mistake that could cost you dearly

Premier League action is set to return in just a few days' time, with fans of all 20 clubs eagerly anticipating what the 2024/25 football season might have in store.

Friday's curtain raiser (August 16) sees Manchester United welcome Fulham to Old Trafford, with a crowd of more than 73,000 expected. And while most seats are likely to be filled by season ticket holders across the league programme, some tickets are available for general sale.

Fans are reminded that not all of these will be genuine, however. It's estimated that up to £200,000 will be lost to ticket scams this year, with common fraudulent activities including counterfeit tickets, multiple sales of the same ticket, and false error messages. Santander has revealed data showing that the most popular clubs and significant matches are often targeted with 'too good to be true' deals.

The bank also states that 90% of all ticket scams originate from three social media platforms - Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram. Now, in an effort to help fans avoid falling victim to fraudulent behaviour, ticketing expert Liran Froind from Ticket-Compare.com has analysed the most common types of scam surrounding ticket sales - and offered advice on how to steer clear of them.

It comes after one TikTok user revealed how he became a victim - making it as far as the turnstile at one ground - only to be turned away after purchasing a ticket from a tout on the opening day of a past Premier League season. "We were at the door of the entrance at the ground and they [ticketing staff] didn't have a clue who we were," explained @eventalertpro. "Don't do what I did and buy from a tout."

In reaction to such incidents, Liran noted the growing sophistication of scammers, saying: