To combat resellers, "Ukrzaliznytsia" is massively blocking ticket buyers

To combat resellers, "Ukrzaliznytsia" is massively blocking ticket buyers

"Ukrzaliznytsia" has blocked 271 clients who were mass-buying tickets or manipulating its app. In total, since March, 3,806 accounts have been blocked due to suspicious activity.

This was reported by "Ukrzaliznytsia" itself. They noted that blocked users created multiple related accounts and purchased small numbers of tickets from them. In this way, they attempted to deceive the system and avoid being blocked. Additionally, speculators:

• After reserving tickets, did not purchase them – apparently waiting for an "order".

For example, one of the blocked users attempted to reserve tickets 134 times for 15 minutes each and never paid for them.

• Purchased numerous tickets under different surnames. 

"Ukrzaliznytsia" has strengthened client identification. In particular, not only the direct number of purchased tickets and the presence of different surnames on tickets are evaluated, but also the actions performed in the system to "hold" tickets (a tactic often abused by ticket speculators)", – the statement reads.

In general, the carrier noted that automatic internal safeguards have also been set up to combat speculators. Among them are complex CAPTCHAs. These are tests to determine whether the system is being used by a human or a bot.

For what reasons can "Ukrzaliznytsia" block your account in the app

• Excessive number of reservations.

Suspicious behavior is considered when one account systematically blocks seats for payment for 15 minutes but does not complete the payment.

• Excessive number of search queries for a specific route or chaotic queries.

A user overloads the system with constant ticket searches. Often, bot accounts operate this way – therefore, such actions are blocked immediately.

• The number of accounts linked to a single bank card.

Sometimes, multiple accounts may be linked to the same bank card – to conceal ticket speculation).