Is StubHub a Scam? 

If you’re thinking of using StubHub, you need to know: Is StubHub a scam? 

Below, we explain whether StubHub is a scam and discuss some steps you can take to improve your safety when using this platform. 

What Is StubHub?

StubHub is a platform where you can sell and buy tickets for concerts, sporting events, theater performances, etc.

It’s very similar to other resale platforms, such as Ticketmaster. 

Is StubHub a Scam?

No, StubHub is not a scam. It is a legitimate platform for buying and selling event tickets. It has been around for more than 20 years. 

StubHub’s “FanProtect Guarantee” guarantees that any tickets you buy through its platform are legitimate. If they’re not, StubHub promises to give you a refund or a comparable replacement ticket.

That said, the company has been involved in several controversies over the years.

For example, it has been accused of using “drip pricing,” which means it hides its fees until you are in the finishing stages of buying a ticket. 

The Attorney General of Washington, D.C., sued StubHub for allegedly violating the Consumer Protection Procedures Act by not providing truthful information about ticket fees as well as for using a countdown clock during the purchase process. 

According to a lawsuit filed in California, StubHub purposely makes its fees look lower by approximately $3 per ticket. 

The opinion on StubHub among internet users is mixed. 

Many users say that StubHub is a good platform for buying tickets. 

However, a significant number of users also say they’ve had problems like delayed or last-minute ticket delivery, hidden fees, and poor customer service when using StubHub.  

Users warn that StubHub has little control over individual sellers. Though Stubhub will refund you if the seller doesn’t deliver the ticket(s) you bought, the platform won’t cover other costs you might have incurred as a result of the fraudulent transaction (such as flights for getting to the event).

As with any other platform, users should be aware of StubHub scams. According to some reports, scammers are increasingly targeting major ticket resale platforms like StubHub. 

Common scams include:

• Websites impersonating StubHub.
• Fake tickets. 
• Duplicate ticket listings.
• Ticket deals that are just too good to be true. 

StubHub is not Better Business Bureau (BBB) accredited and gets a 1.2 out of 5.0-star rating on the BBB site.

The StubHub app gets a 3.1 out of 5.0-star rating (from 78,408 ratings and 10m+ downloads) on Google Play and a 4.8 out of 5.0-star review (from 1,308,303 ratings) on the App Store.

Security

As per its privacy policy, StubHub seeks to “use reasonable organizational, technical, and administrative measures to protect personal information within our organization.” It doesn’t go into detail as to what these measures are. 

On its Google Play page, StubHub says it encrypts data in transit and allows users to request that their data be deleted.

In its User Agreement, StubHub says it may investigate and take action against any abuse of its security protocols, but it doesn’t elaborate on the technical measures in place.

In early 2025, criminals stole more than 900 digital tickets from StubHub. StubHub refunded all affected customers and stopped its relationship with the third-party vendor involved. 

Privacy

In its privacy policy, StubHub details the kind of personal data it collects, why, and with whom it shares it. 

StubHub collects information you share with it directly (e.g., personal details, identity documents, payment info). It also collects some of your data automatically (e.g., IP address, device info, browsing history, location, cookies, and reCAPTCHA data).

Additionally, StubHub also gets some of your personal data from third parties (for example, social media platforms and payment processors).

The company uses your data to provide and improve its services, process transactions, personalize its content to you, and similar. 

StubHub may share your information with affiliates, business partners, service providers, and third-party advertisers.

It notes that it may disclose your personal information for legal reasons, regulatory compliance, or during business transactions (e.g., mergers).

Also, StubHub may transfer and store your data internationally.

It can keep your personal details for as long as necessary for business, legal, or contractual purposes.

So, Should You Use StubHub?

Depends. 

StubHub is a well-known ticket resale platform.

However, as with any large ticket platform, scammers can and do exploit it, which is why it’s always better to buy tickets directly from the primary source (e.g., an artist’s official site). 

How to Use StubHub Safely

• Use the official StubHub site/app. Scammers are known to impersonate platforms like StubHub, so always double-check the URL (stubhub.com) before entering any personal information. Also, don’t click on links in unexpected emails or texts that claim to come from StubHub.
• Buy through the StubHub platform. Only communicate and pay for tickets through StubHub’s official channels to make sure you have records of transactions. 
• Check the seller’s reputation. Look for positive reviews and a history of successful sales on StubHub. Try to avoid new or unrated sellers if possible. 
• Don’t fall for “too good to be true” deals. Really low prices for popular events are a major red flag. Compare ticket prices across different sellers to determine if a deal is likely to be genuine.
• Save all communications and receipts. Keep screenshots and/or emails related to your ticket purchase on StubHub in case you need to file a dispute. 
• Familiarize yourself with StubHub’s FanProtect guarantee. This guarantee offers refunds or replacement tickets if there’s an issue. Know what it covers and how to use it.
• Consider the fees. StubHub charges fees when you buy and sell tickets on their platform. Fees can fluctuate based on factors like ticket price, time to the event, and supply and demand. If possible, it’s always better to buy tickets from the primary source. 
• Adjust your marketing preferences. StubHub’s privacy policy explains how to opt out of marketing emails (click the“unsubscribe” link in the email). 
• Request data access or deletion (depending on your location). Depending on where you live, you can ask StubHub to provide the personal data they hold, correct it, or delete it altogether. This right is spelled out in the policy (often under a “Your Rights” or “Data Subject Rights” section).
• Manage cookies and tracking. You can often opt out of certain cookie categories (like targeting or analytics) by adjusting cookie settings within your account or browser.