A settlement has been reached in Los Angeles between the State of California and leading ticket reseller StubHub. When the COVID-19 pandemic started, and events were canceled, San Francisco based StubHub changed its FanProtect Guarantee. Instead of providing full cash refunds, as advertised at the time, it began offering credits that could be used for future events. Thus, California Department of Justice investigation found the San Francisco-based company failed to issue timely refunds for canceled events during the pandemic, according to a statement by the state attorney general’s office.
“By failing to issue full cash refunds for canceled events during the pandemic, StubHub not only violated its advertised policy but also violated the trust of its consumers,”
— Attorney General Bonta
Following the start of the investigation, StubHub reversed course and began issuing cash refunds in May 2021, distributing $20 million to 45,000 California consumers since. The settlement includes restitution and a $295,000 penalty. It also requires StubHub to abide by the UCL and other consumer protection laws, including not violating California laws specific to event ticket sales.
