(Image: STUART BOULTON)
A scam swindling ticket holders of a cancelled Darlington festival has been circulated on Facebook.
The shocking scam has seen posters published across social media claiming to be from the bosses behind Discovery Festival, which was due to be held at Mowden Park last weekend.
In a bid to rip off those who were due to attend the festival, a fraudulent number and email have been advertised asking for people to claim their refunds by getting in touch.
The poster uses the official Discovery Festival logo and colour scheme.
Discovery Festival has confirmed via its official email - info@discoveryfestival.co.uk - that the posters are a scam and have nothing to do with the firm.
Both Durham Police and Darlington Borough Council had received no reports of the scam at the time of publication, both locally and through the national ‘report fraud’ scheme.
Police said that, if you think you’ve been scammed, report it to Report Fraud either online atwww.reportfraud.police.uk** or call 0300 123 2040.**
The online scam, although there are various other versions of this poster
(Image: FACEBOOK)
The news comes after ticket holders of the festival were left fighting to reclaim refunds for their tickets after the event was rescheduled due to “rising costs and other local events”.
At the time, organisers said they were "unable to deliver the experience you have previously enjoyed with us” and fans were told they could get a refund or hold on to their ticket for 2027.
A post on the official Discovery Festival Facebook page told ticket holders to contact ticketing platform Fixr on __team@fixr.co__ regarding bookings.
Mowden Park
(Image: Stuart Boulton)
However, an email seen by The Northern Echo earlier this month from Fixr, which acts as an agent for the organiser, claimed the festival has "breached its contractual obligations".
It said the festival, which is liable for refunds, has “failed to return funds to Fixr to enable refunds to be made, and has stated that they are currently unable to do so” despite repeated requests.
Festival organisers did not respond to this when contacted for comment.
Beverley Marson, from Bishop Auckland, was one of the people who was left waiting for a refund and received the email about the alleged contact breach.
The office manager previously said: “I just thought that this was all wrong.
“Somebody has taken our money. We want it back now and Fixr said it was nothing to do with them and it is not their problem.
“It is not right. You should have a refund and you should get it back very quickly.
“I was disappointed it was cancelled in the first place and now we just want our money back."
Discovery Festival was due to feature Marc Almond, Level 42 and Heaven 17 for Saturday's 80s Calling fixture and Five, Sigma, The Wanted 2.0, XO, and Bjorn Again on Sunday.
Bosses blamed rising costs and other events, including Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Sunderland, as the reason behind the cancellation, saying they had "exhausted all potential alternatives".
A statement from organisers said: “It is with great disappointment that we must announce the postponement of Discovery Festival, in Darlington 2026.
Marc Almond was set to headline'80s Calling at Discovery Festival, Darlington in 2026
(Image: Chameleon Music Marketing Ltd)
“When we planned this event a year ago, none of us could have anticipated the current economic situation and the impact it would have on all our lives, affecting everyone’s disposable income.
“Despite our best efforts, the combination of rising costs and other events announced locally, particularly BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend, which has had a huge impact on the festival and means that this year we are not able to deliver the experience you have previously enjoyed with us and we believe you deserve.
“Having exhausted all potential alternatives, we have reached the heartbreaking decision to postpone the festival until August 7 to August 8, 2027.
“The full 2027 exciting line ups will be announced shortly, so why not hold on to your tickets and make your decision then! We are all so very sorry, and we truly hope you’ll stay with us for 2027.”
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If you have made a payment in response to a scam, contact your bank as soon as possible as they may be able to recover some of your money and will refund you in certain circumstances.
You can find more information about asking your bank for help to get your money back in Friends Against Scams’reimbursement toolkit.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger because of a scam call 999.