Lollapalooza 2026, one of the most anticipated music events in Brazil, has just announced its official lineup and started ticket sales. Every year, thousands of fans rush to secure their tickets, making online ticket purchases a time of high demand and, consequently, an ideal environment for cybercriminals.
One factor that increases users' vulnerability is the habit of saving banking information on ticket-buying apps or websites. While this can speed up future transactions, it also makes this information a valuable target for criminals. If one of these platforms is compromised, victims' data is exposed and can be sold on underground forums.
Ticket resale on social media and unofficial channels is also part of the problem. Scammers often promise quick tickets at attractive prices, but these are often fake tickets. In most cases, the buyer discovers too late that they've been scammed. These scams often involve payments being made directly to the criminal, via PIX (Brazilian PIX) or QR code, or fintech accounts, leaving the victim with no way to recover their money, much less enter the festival.
A lack of digital literacy makes these threats even more dangerous. According to a Kaspersky study , 14% of Brazilians can't identify a fraudulent email or message, and 27% can't recognize a fake website. This scenario reveals how easy it is for criminals to exploit fans' excitement for their own gain.
"Cybercriminals take advantage of the excitement generated by major festivals to commit various types of scams. Demand remains high, making them a perfect target for information theft. They not only seek to directly attack sales platforms, but also create fake pages that imitate official portals or even deceptive social media profiles to offer supposed resale deals. Amid the excitement of securing a spot at the event, many users carelessly hand over their data. Therefore, it is essential to protect money and personal information, and always verify the legitimacy of the websites where purchases are made ," says Fabio Assolini, director of Kaspersky's Global Research and Analysis Team for Latin America.
The combination of digital education and cybersecurity solutions becomes the best defense. Caution when purchasing tickets and the use of technologies designed to protect personal information allow fans to enjoy the festival without worrying about fraud or loss of money.
Kaspersky experts share the following tips to help you protect your cards and tickets for this and other shows:
- Don't save your card details on ticketing platforms. While it may seem practical, leaving your details registered can put you at risk if the site is hacked. The safest option is to enter your details with each purchase. To speed up the process, password managers offer a secure alternative to saving and filling in information automatically.
- Set up usage alerts with your bank. Receiving immediate notifications via SMS or email allows you to monitor every transaction made with your card. This way, any unauthorized charges can be detected quickly.
- Be wary of unexpected promotions. Emails, text messages, or WhatsApp chats promising special discounts are often scam attempts. Never provide personal or banking information without first confirming it through the festival's or ticket company's official channels.
- Use virtual cards for added security and avoid paying via PIX. This type of card generates a temporary security code that changes with each transaction, significantly reducing the chance of criminals using your information for other frauds. Avoid paying via PIX, as it's more difficult to recover your money if it's a scam.
- Get cybersecurity protection. A solution like Kaspersky Premium protects your personal data, online payments, and unauthorized connections to other devices, as well as protecting your identity.
