Photo: Rubberball/Mike Kemp / Rubberball Productions / Getty Images
Monroe County prosecutors have filed a lawsuit against Vivid Seats, a prominent ticket resale marketplace, accusing the company of violating Pennsylvania's Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law. The lawsuit, filed on Monday (May 12), follows a similar suit against StubHub last month.
The Monroe County District Attorney's Office claims that Vivid Seats employs "bait-and-switch" tactics and uses digital "dark patterns" to mislead consumers. These practices allegedly trick customers into making purchases they might not have otherwise made. The lawsuit further accuses Vivid Seats of concealing the total ticket price by adding hidden fees, which can increase the cost by as much as 80%.
Special Assistant District Attorney Patrick Best emphasized the importance of consumer protection, stating, "When companies like Vivid Seats hide the true cost of tickets, they take advantage of hardworking people in our community." Vivid Seats is known for selling tickets to popular Monroe County venues such as the Pocono Raceway and Sherman Theater.
The district attorney's office is committed to ensuring transparency in the marketplace and holding companies accountable for deceptive practices. As of now, Vivid Seats has not responded to requests for comment regarding the lawsuit.
The outcome of this legal action could have significant implications for the ticket resale industry, particularly in Pennsylvania, as authorities seek to curb unfair practices and protect consumers from hidden costs.