One week left to apply for tickets for the London 2012 Olympics

There’s only one week left to apply for tickets for the London 2012 Olympics. Be safe online and avoid fraudsters by following this advice.

Smart criminals know how easy it is to set up professional looking fake websites that look like legitimate ticket selling sites. Make sure you don't fall for them by following tips issued by the Metropolitan Police Service and the London Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Online safety: The advice includes some key checkpoints when buying a ticket for the Games.

• You have until 26 April to apply for tickets through LOCOG.
• The only way to apply for a ticket in the UK is at www.tickets.london2012.com. This is London 2012's official site. You can also get a postal application from any Lloyds TSB branch, or from any public library in Northern Ireland. Don't buy a ticket from an unauthorised website or tout. You risk being scammed, and not getting the ticket you wanted and paid for.
• If you get a ticket for an event you can't attend, you can return your ticket to get a refund through the London 2012 official ticket exchange. Your ticket will then be officially resold. Details of this will be announced in due course.
• There are only three official providers for Games Breaks and Hospitality Packages in the UK - these are:
  • Thomas Cook
  • Prestige Travel
  • Jet Set Travel
• Other websites or companies are not authorised to sell you a ticket as part of a package in the UK. Always check the terms and conditions to see exactly what you are being sold.
• Outside of the UK London 2012 tickets are sold through the country's National Olympic Committee, or their authorised retailer.
• If you find tickets for sale from any unauthorised source, don't buy them. They are not genuine. Report it to your local police or London 2012 via [email protected]
• If you think you have been a victim of crime whilst trying to buy a ticket to the Games report it to Action Fraud, London 2012 via [email protected] or your local police force.

Read more about the Olympic ticket scam warning on the Metropolitan Police Service website.

Visit Lloyds TSB's London 2012 website for more information about the Olympic Games.

Please note: Action Fraud is not responsible for the content on external websites.

To report a fraud, call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or use our online fraud reporting tool.

See also:
Olympics Fraud