Fifa denies phishing scam

By Siyabonga Africa, ITWeb junior journalist

Johannesburg, 08 May 2009

Fifa has denied phishing scams and credit card fraud are plaguing its online ticketing sales system. This is despite claims that some ticket applicants may have already fallen victim to fraudsters.

However, the soccer organisation has warned local and international soccer fans about potential online fraud.

Media reports have stated the soccer organisation`s Web site is in danger of being attacked by cyber criminals and scammers. These crooks aim to lure individuals into buying fraudulent tickets ahead of the Fifa Confederations Cup and World Cup tournaments, which take place in June and next year, respectively.

Fifa spokesman Wolfgang Eichler says such reports are false and Fifa`s ticketing Web site, which is run by Match Event Services - a subsidiary of Zurich-based Match Services - has not been affected by credit scams or phishing attacks.

"No credit cards are being or have been charged unduly," says Eichler. "People apply [and] they provide their payment card details to effect payment in the event that they are successful."

Eichler adds that once applicants have successfully secured their tickets, only then will Fifa proceed to charge them against their credit cards.

This is despite a claim from an unnamed source within Fifa, who detailed a complaint from an applicant who experienced some suspicious activity on her account.

"The lady claims she booked tickets online and provided her credit card details. Subsequently, it appears the full amount has been deducted from her account about five or six times, in each case as a separate transaction. Her statement reflects the beneficiary is a person who is not known to Fifa, as well as `Fifa Ticketing`," says the source.

The source could not confirm whether the complaint had been addressed by Fifa or the Local Organising Committee, at the time of publication.

Safety guidelines

According to Eichler, Match`s online security team has provided guidelines that fans should observe in order to avoid e-mail scams and Internet hoaxes. The scams falsely claim to be either part of a Fifa lottery, prize draw or competition; or seek additional payment in order to guarantee tickets that might have been won, or seek personal information to secure tickets.

The soccer organisation adds that it places an emphasis on making sure people buy tickets from authentic sources and they source ticket-inclusive travel packages through participating tour operators chosen by Fifa.

Fifa says fans run a number of risks if they attempt to purchase their tickets from unauthorised sources. These include problems such as that the tickets they purchase turn out not to exist, not being permitted entry into the stadium on match days, or tickets being delivered too late.

Same story

This is not the first time the soccer organisation has denied ticketing Web site glitches. Earlier this week, ITWeb reported allegations from within the soccer organisation of several complaints being received from people experiencing problems with the Web site.

Fifa spokesperson Delia Fischer denied the existence of complaints and said the ticketing process had been running smoothly all along. Fischer went on to say that a number of reasons could be posited for the payment failures on the Web site.

"These reasons include the customer having insufficient funds on their card [or] the card not being enabled by their authorising banks to transact online."

Fifa is adamant there have not been any technical faults with the online payment system and that it has been taking online payments "real-time" on a daily basis.