StubHub Scams (7 Examples + How to Avoid Them)

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StubHub provides an incredible online ticket marketplace where people buy and sell tickets for events like concerts, sports games, and shows. It’s a popular platform that connects buyers with sellers, making it easier to find and purchase tickets for various live experiences.

While the platform provides a convenient platform for buying and selling tickets, you need to be aware of potential StubHub scams that can threaten your experience.

StubHub scams often include fake ticket listings, overpriced tickets, or even non-existent tickets, leaving unsuspecting buyers at risk of losing money and missing out on the events they planned to attend.

Sellers engaging in these fraudulent activities may take advantage of the excitement and urgency surrounding popular events, preying on the trust of buyers who assume StubHub provides a secure platform.

1) Fraudulent Websites

Sometimes, when you want to buy tickets online from a place like StubHub, there are pretend websites that look the same but aren’t real. These fake websites trick people into giving them money for tickets that don’t exist.

You’re excited to get tickets for your favorite show, so you go online to StubHub. But, instead of the real StubHub, you end up on a fake one that looks almost the same. When you try to buy tickets there, the scammers take your money, but you never get any tickets.

To avoid this, always check the web address at the top of your computer or tablet. If it doesn’t say “www.stubhub.com,” it’s not the real StubHub.

2) Counterfeit Tickets

You’re pumped up to hit that concert or game, and you find what seems like the golden ticket online. Some folks out there are crafty enough to make fake tickets that, at first glance, look as legit as it gets.

So, you fork out your hard-earned cash, thinking you’ve scored. But when you try to breeze through the event’s entrance, bam! The ticket scanners hit you with, “Sorry, buddy, these tickets aren’t the real deal.”

Counterfeit tickets are basically the con artist’s version of the real deal. They might have the same logos, fancy printing, and snazzy graphics, but when push comes to shove, they’re worthless. And that stings, especially when you were geared up for a fantastic time.

To dodge this counterfeit bullet, you’ve got to scrutinize those tickets like you’re hunting for clues. Are the colors sharp, the images clear? If anything feels off, it’s time to raise an eyebrow.

3) Duplicate Ticket Listings

You’re hyped up about scoring tickets to a hot concert or game, so you head to StubHub. The trouble begins when some sellers pull a fast one by listing the same tickets more than once.

Now, why is that a problem? Well, imagine you find the perfect seats, make the purchase, and are all set for an amazing time. Except, surprise! There are other buyers who also think they snagged those exact seats because the tricky seller listed them more than once.

This duplicity messes things up. The seller gets money from multiple buyers for the same tickets, leaving you and others without the seats you thought were yours.

To outsmart this trick, you’ve got to be a vigilant ticket detective. Before hitting that buy button, double-check the listing and make sure your chosen seats are available for real.

4) Too Good To Be True Deals

Imagine you’re on StubHub, searching for tickets to your dream concert or game, and suddenly you stumble upon an offer that seems too amazing to pass up – tickets at a price way lower than what others are asking for.

These seemingly fantastic deals might lead you into a trap. The seller could be trying to trick you into paying for tickets that either don’t exist, have hidden problems, or are for seats with a not-so-great view.

To avoid falling for this trap, you’ve got to be a savvy deal-checker. Ask yourself, does the price make sense? Are other sellers offering tickets at a much higher cost?

If it feels too good to be true, it probably is. It’s like being offered a brand-new video game console for the price of a comic book – something’s fishy.

5) Hidden Fees and Charges

So you’re all set to purchase tickets for that incredible concert or game on StubHub. You see a price that looks reasonable, but here’s the twist – there might be hidden fees and charges lurking beneath the surface. These hidden fees can turn a good deal into a not-so-great one.

You think you know the total cost, but when you’re about to make the purchase, surprise! Additional charges pop up, like service fees or delivery fees. It’s like ordering a pizza and discovering you have to pay extra for the delivery guy to bring it to your door.

Before hitting that “buy” button, check if there are any sneaky fees hiding in the shadows.

6) Last-Minute Ticket Changes

So you’ve gotten tickets to the hottest concert or game through StubHub, everything’s set, and excitement is building. But here’s the curveball – some sellers might try to pull a fast one by making changes to the tickets right before the event.

These last-minute ticket changes can be frustrating and might catch you off guard, leaving you wondering if you’ll still get into the party.

So, how does it work with tickets? The seller might switch up the details, like the seat numbers or even the event date. Before heading to the event, double-check all the ticket details to make sure they match what you originally bought.

7) Phishing Scams

Phishing scams are tricky messages from pretend friends. These scammers pretend to be someone you trust, like StubHub, and try to trick you into giving away your personal or financial information.

These scammers might send you messages saying there’s a problem with your purchase and they need your account details to fix it. But here’s the catch – the messages are not from the real StubHub.

How to Identify and Avoid StubHub Scams

Verify the website’s authenticity – Scammers often create fake websites that look like StubHub. Before making any purchases, carefully check the web address at the top of your browser.

The real StubHub website should always start with “www.stubhub.com.” If it’s anything different, you might be on a fraudulent site. Authenticity is your first line of defense.


Thoroughly examine ticket listings – Take a close look at the details of the ticket listings. Check for clear and high-quality images, accurate event information, and reasonable pricing.

If something seems off, like blurry images or an unusually low price, it could be a red flag for a potential scam. Scrutinizing the details helps you avoid falling for counterfeit tickets or duplicate listings.


Avoid too-good-to-be-true deals –  If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers might lure you in with unbelievably low prices to entice quick purchases.

Compare the prices with other listings for similar seats to gauge if it’s reasonable. Trust your instincts – if the deal seems unrealistically fantastic, proceed with caution.


Check for hidden fees and charges – Before finalizing your purchase, review the total cost to ensure there are no unexpected fees. Some sellers may sneak in additional charges like service fees or delivery fees, making the overall cost higher than anticipated. Being aware of these hidden fees helps you make informed decisions and avoid any unpleasant surprises.


Verify ticket details before purchase – Before clicking that “buy” button, double-check all the ticket details, including seat numbers, event date, and venue information. This step is crucial to avoid falling victim to last-minute ticket changes or duplicate ticket listings.


Beware of phishing attempts – Stay alert for phishing scams where scammers pose as StubHub support and request personal or financial information. Official communications from StubHub will come directly through the platform, not through unsolicited emails or messages.

Be skeptical of any unexpected messages and avoid sharing sensitive information. When in doubt, contact StubHub directly through their official channels.

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