Read the complaint
Special Assistant District Attorney Pat Best and District Attorney Mike Mancuso
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, by Monroe County District Attorney Michael Mancuso, has filed a lawsuit against StubHub, Inc. (StubHub), accusing the company of violating the Pennsylvania Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law (UTPCPL).
This is the second lawsuit brought by the DA’s new Consumer Fraud Division, spearheaded by Special Assistant District Attorney Patrick Best. This lawsuit aims to end StubHub’s use of the unfair and deceptive practice of charging hidden “junk fees” to consumers purchasing tickets on its website and mobile application and to recover the fees charged to consumers.
Complaint Overview
StubHub, an online marketplace where consumers can buy and sell tickets for a variety of live entertainment events, has allegedly used bait-and-switch practices and digital “dark patterns” to mislead consumers. These practices trick or manipulate consumers into making choices they would not otherwise make, obscuring the true price of tickets. This is an unfair method of competition, as it prevents consumers from making informed decisions and engaging in comparison shopping.
The complaint highlights three main deceptive practices used by StubHub: drip pricing, fee misrepresentation, and inaccurate fee filters. These deceptive practices affect consumers throughout Pennsylvania who attend sporting, cultural, and other events by adding fees that increase the advertised price of the ticket by as much as 66%. This violates the law’s prohibition against the use of unfair and deceptive trade practices in any trade or commerce.
The Commonwealth seeks injunctive relief to remedy StubHub’s violations, as well as restitution, statutory penalties, and fees.
“Consumers deserve transparency and honesty, especially when spending their hard-earned money on entertainment. StubHub’s practices obscure the true cost of tickets and prevent consumers from making informed decisions. We will fight to ensure that StubHub is held accountable for its deceptive actions and that Commonwealth consumers are protected,” said Special Assistant District Attorney Patrick Best. DA Mancuso added, “I am proud of the work Pat Best is doing to protect Monroe County residents from fraud schemes like this. In fact, Stub Hub has over the years sold thousands of questionably priced tickets to Monroe County residents for shows, races, and athletic events both throughout our county and state.”
The Monroe County’s Office of the District Attorney is aided by attorneys of the consumer rights law firm Tycko & Zavareei LLP. TZ which has successfully represented California consumers against the ticket reseller and is currently representing the District of Columbia in a similar lawsuit against StubHub.
The case is Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, By Monroe County District Attorney Michael Mancuso v. StubHub, Inc. in the Court of Common Pleas, Monroe County, Pennsylvania Forty Third Judicial District.