What to do if you buy tickets for an unauthorised event in Barcelona
Tickets are sometimes available on the internet for fraudulent events that are not authorised by Barcelona City Council. If you find that you have bought tickets for a fraudulent concert or festival, you need to act swiftly: contact the bank your transferred the money from and report the matter to a police station operated by the City Police or the Mossos d’Esquadra.
What to do
- Contact your bank or card issuer: call and let them know about the fraud and ask them to check the charge, particularly if you paid with a debit or credit card.
- Report it to the payment platform: if you used a money transfer app, ask the company to return the payment.
- Report it to the police: it is important to go in person to a Mossos d’Esquadra police station and find out all the documentation needed by calling 112.
- Get all the proof together: keep all the communications (emails, WhatsApp messages etc.), payment receipts (transfer or Bizum), a copy of the fraudulent tickets and any other details on the seller.
- Make a claim with the seller: send a claim by mail to the seller or event organiser requesting your money back and communicating possible damages.
- Contact consumer organisations: if the seller does not respond or does not resolve your request, contact the Municipal Consumer Information Office (OMIC).
Who authorises events in public space (parks, squares etc.) in Barcelona?
Barcelona City Council is the body responsible for authorising all the events held in public spaces in Barcelona. Requests for the permit for activities and shows in public spaces (concerts, festivals, local festival activities, sports events etc.) must be submitted via the virtual procedures office or in person at citizen help and information offices in the city, within certain time frames depending on the expected capacity. To obtain the permit, the organiser must satisfy a series of requisites and attach the necessary documentation indicated on the procedure so that the relevant checks can be made.
