Fake Ticket Marketplace Scam Impersonating the StubHub Brand
Fraudulent sites copy StubHub's logo, layout, and buyer-guarantee language to look like the real resale marketplace, impersonating the well-known brand to sell tickets that don't exist.
Part of: Fake Ticket Marketplace Scam
Last reviewed: 5 July 2026
StubHub is one of the most recognized names in ticket resale, and that recognition is exactly what impersonators borrow when building a fake marketplace. StubHub itself is the party being impersonated here, not the source of the fraud — criminals copy its familiar orange-and-white branding, its 'FanProtect' style guarantee language, and even customer-service phone formats to make a cloned site feel authentic.
Because the real StubHub does offer buyer guarantees and a well-known checkout flow, a convincingly cloned page can pass a quick glance, especially when reached through a search ad or a link shared in a group chat rather than by typing the real address directly.
How this scam works on the StubHub brand
A fake site copies StubHub's branding closely enough that the checkout page looks nearly identical, complete with a fabricated 'guarantee' badge claiming buyer protection that the clone site has no actual ability to honor. After the buyer pays, they may receive a fake e-ticket PDF, a barcode that fails at the gate, or a confirmation email designed to look like it came from StubHub's real domain but originates from a lookalike address.
Some versions of this scam also use a fake StubHub customer-service phone number listed on the cloned site, so if a buyer tries to follow up about a problem, they are routed back to the scammer rather than the real company, extending the fraud into a second stage where the 'support agent' asks for additional payment or personal information to 'process a refund.'
Common red flags
- Site was reached via a search ad, shared link, or message rather than typing the real StubHub domain directly
- URL is a close but not exact match to StubHub's official domain
- Confirmation emails come from an address that isn't StubHub's verified domain
- Customer service number listed on the site differs from the one on StubHub's real official help page
- Guarantee or protection language sounds similar to StubHub's real policy but the site cannot be verified as StubHub itself
- Checkout requests unusual extra personal information beyond a standard ticket purchase
How to protect yourself
- Navigate to StubHub by typing the address directly or through a bookmark, not by clicking a search ad or shared link
- Verify the domain in the address bar matches StubHub's official URL exactly before entering any payment details
- Check confirmation emails against StubHub's known sending domain rather than assuming branding alone is proof
- Look up StubHub's real customer service contact through its official site rather than a number listed on the page you're on
- Use a credit card so you retain dispute rights if the tickets turn out to be fraudulent
- If a 'StubHub' deal seems unusually cheap, treat it as a sign the site may be an impersonation
How to report it
- Report the fraudulent site directly to StubHub's official fraud or support contact so they can pursue takedown
- Report the fake ad to the search engine or social platform where you encountered it
- File a complaint with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov (US) or Action Fraud (UK)
- Dispute the charge with your card issuer, citing the transaction as fraudulent misrepresentation
Frequently asked questions
Is StubHub responsible if a fake site impersonates its brand?
No, StubHub is itself a victim of the impersonation, but its real support team can help confirm whether a purchase went through their actual platform and may assist in reporting the fake site.
How can I confirm a StubHub purchase confirmation email is real?
Check that the sending domain matches StubHub's official domain exactly, and log into your account directly through the real site rather than clicking any link in the email to verify the order independently.
What if I called a customer service number listed on a fake StubHub site?
Treat any information you gave as compromised; contact your bank to monitor for fraud, change any passwords you may have shared, and look up StubHub's real support contact through their official site going forward.