Coldplay fans warned over fake hotels as scammers set to target gig-goers

Coldplay enthusiasts are being urged to exercise caution when securing accommodation for the band's upcoming UK tour dates.

Following the announcement of six Wembley concerts in 2025, with ticket prices starting at just £20, fans have been eagerly searching online to arrange their stays, potentially making them targets for scammers.

Tech experts are raising the alarm about the possibility of fraudulent activity, including fake reviews and non-existent hotels. Marc Porcar, CEO of QR Code Generator, cautions: "As interest in hotels near the venue rises, people may seek alternative accommodations, creating opportunities for cybercriminals to exploit."

He adds: "The reality is that many of us assume accommodation listings are authentic when they appear on sites that we're familiar with, and then place a booking without doing our due diligence and checking for warning signs. This is especially 'true' if the property is listed as having limited availability or if there's a short-term discount."

Marc outlines key red flags to be vigilant of:

• Phishing scams: These involve deceptive emails or messages that imitate reputable booking platforms to filch personal or financial details, reports the Mirror.
• Fake reviews: Bogus testimonials are crafted to artificially boost the appeal of non-existent properties, or sometimes to tarnish the reputation of real ones.
• Payment fraud: Scammers often push for payments via unsecured methods, bypassing the safety of established booking systems.
• Bait-and-Switch - Scammers are luring holidaymakers with fake listings, only to provide a different and often substandard property upon booking.

Marc warned: "To avoid being scammed via fake listings, make sure you verify the accommodation you're looking at by checking reviews and ratings. Even go so far as to look the property up on Google Maps, as we've seen instances of the listed property not existing at all. Remember if things seem too good to be 'true', they likely are.

"To protect yourself from phishing scams, hover over links to check the actual URL before clicking. Be cautious of URLs that are misspelt or closely mimic legitimate sites.

"Secondly, avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading attachments from unknown or unexpected sources. Instead, go directly to websites by typing the URL into your browser."

He also urged those searching for places to stay to be wary of unsolicited emails, especially those requesting personal or financial details.

To steer clear of scam traps, Marc recommended relying on verified reviews from previous buyers or guests, noting that many platforms mark these when the customer has booked through their service.

"Additionally, examine reviewer profiles for authenticity; profiles with limited activity or generic names could be fake. When making a booking, use secure payment methods such as credit cards or reputable payment platforms," Marc advised.

"Also, verify that the payment site is secure by checking for 'https' in the URL and a padlock icon in the address bar. Verify details to ensure the property or service matches the description and images provided. If possible, contact the company directly to confirm the details.

"Additionally, compare the deal you're offered with similar listings to spot any discrepancies or unusually low prices that might indicate a bait-and-switch scam."