As thousands of music lovers prepare to pounce on Glastonbury's final batch of resale tickets this week, new research has revealed the shocking extent of ticket fraud, with scammers cashing in on desperation and what has been described as fear of missing out (FOMO).

According to data from Nationwide Building Society, a staggering one in four Britons (25%) have already fallen victim to ticket scams, losing an average of £82 each - and with high-demand events like Glastonbury driving up pressure, that figure could rise.

In a warning issued just ahead of the resale launch, Nationwide said the perfect storm of low supply and high demand is creating fertile ground for criminals to exploit eager fans, many of whom are throwing caution to the wind in a bid to secure tickets.

"Glastonbury is the UK's biggest festival and one of the most popular anywhere in the world," said Jim Winters, Director of Economic Crime at Nationwide. "When offered high-demand tickets that are cheap, or even just available, fans can easily lose control of their senses as their hearts rule their heads."

"High demand and low availability, fuelled by FOMO, create the perfect conditions for criminals to exploit victims. It might be tempting to take risks but it's unlikely to pay off, causing worry, stress and regret."

Nationwide's survey shows the extent to which FOMO is pushing people towards questionable sellers and risky purchases. Over half (51%) of people say they would consider buying tickets from unofficial sources if it meant getting in - with over a fifth (22%) willing to pay inflated prices to do so.

The worst-affected group appears to be those aged 25-34, with nearly one in five (18%) admitting they're more likely to take risks the closer it gets to the event, and a staggering two in five (40%) saying they would knowingly buy fake tickets if it meant being able to attend.

That desperation has led to countless tales of heartbreak and humiliation. One victim, Andrew, 37, who runs Hata café in Edinburgh, fell for a scam last year after Glastonbury tickets sold out.

Hoping to surprise his partner with a last-minute trip to the festival, he paid £1,500 to a slick-looking website that claimed to have leftover crew passes. At first, the seller seemed legitimate - replying to emails and offering excuses about delivery delays. Then, suddenly, all communication stopped.

"I felt sick," Andrew said. "The money was a big loss, but it was the stress and shame that stayed with me. I kept blaming myself for falling for it - and trying to keep it a surprise just made it worse."

Fortunately, Andrew was able to recover the funds through Nationwide's fraud team. But many others aren't as lucky.

According to the research, more than one in five (21%) only realise they've been scammed when the seller suddenly disappears. Another 20 per cent find out at the worst possible moment - when they're refused entry at the event gates after presenting invalid 'e-tickets'. Some never receive the tickets at all.

The emotional toll is just as significant. Over a quarter (27%) of victims said the experience left them angry and disappointed, while 23 per cent reported feeling upset, stressed or embarrassed.

Jim Winters added: "This is why, as the Glastonbury resale kicks in, our customers should check transactions they are unsure about with our Scam Checker Service, available on the phone or in branch."

The Nationwide Scam Checker service is free for customers and can be accessed by calling 0800 030 40 57 or visiting a branch. Staff can provide advice or block potentially fraudulent payments before they go through.

The warning comes as fraudsters ramp up activity around sold-out concerts, major sporting events, and film premieres - all common targets for scam operations that prey on urgency and emotion.

Nationwide's Top Tips to Avoid Ticket Scams:

* Only buy from official sellers or authorised resellers - look for accreditation or endorsements from the event.

* Be cautious of tickets offered on social media or online marketplaces, especially from people you don't know personally.

* Use secure payment methods - avoid bank transfers. Credit cards or trusted platforms offer more protection.

* Steer clear of too-good-to-be-true deals - scammers often lure victims with 'miracle last-minute' prices.

* Do your research - check reviews, Google the seller, and look for red flags.

* Use your bank's fraud-checking services - Nationwide's Scam Checker is available by phone or in branch.

As the countdown to the Glastonbury resale intensifies, the message from experts is loud and clear: if it feels like a shortcut, it's probably a scam. And in the world of ticket buying, being left out is better than being ripped off.