A Woman in Florida Was Caught Selling Fake Disney World Tickets — Here's How to Avoid Scams

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Sometimes it’s good to trust your gut.

If you’re feeling iffy about an incredible deal on a Disney trip, you might be right to be wary.

According to WFTV, a woman, 22-year-old Tabreshia Hendry, is being investigated for selling fake Disney World park tickets, making hundreds of dollars in cash off of unwitting victims.

One man, Angel Vega, told WFTV that he noticed some red flags when he dealt with Hendry, but still made the transaction with her.

Vega found Hendry on the website Offer Up and bought nine park tickets from her for $270 ($30 each). A single “Park Per Day” ticket costs $109 and a Universal Orlando Studios one-day ticket costs $114.

“She said, 'What's the problem.' I said, 'The problem is that you gave me the tickets, but I can't give you the money unless you guys give me an ID so I can make sure that they're valid,” Vega said to WFTV. She complied and Vega gave her the cash.

After the transaction, Vega said that Hendry called him later saying the tickets were stolen and that she would return his money. When that didn’t happen, Vega called the police.

Hendry had apparently been selling fake tickets to Disney, Universal and SeaWorld between November 2017 and May 2018, garnering hundreds of dollars for herself, according to WFTV. She is currently out on bond as of Jan. 18.

How to make sure your tickets are real

Unfortunately, finding Disney park deals on classifieds websites usually end with a scam. If you do see something that looks like it’s too good to be true — like a $109 ticket on sale for $30 from a random stranger — consider it “Buyer Beware.”

But, if you are looking for legitimate special offers on a Disney vacation, it’s best to just look at the Disney World website or sites like Mousesavers. If you just want tickets to the park, the Disney World website is a great resource. Remember, it’s good to avoid peak hours and peak seasons if you want to find potential deals. And if you’re not worried about opening up a new line of credit, House of Mouse has its own Visa with Disney rewards.

Related: These Are the Best and Worst Times to Go to Disney World in 2019 (Video)

For SeaWorld, if you’re willing to do a little planning, you can save 20 percent if you buy your tickets at least three days before your visit, according to Fodor’s.

Universal Orlando also has a dedicated page on Mousesavers and Orlando Fun Tickets, or you can visit Undercover Tourist to find more deals.