Utah Fans Urged to Avoid Ticket Scams

Consumer advocates warn buyers to be cautious when purchasing event tickets online.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Couponing

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Consumer advocates warned Utah fans to be cautious when buying tickets online, as major sporting events draw crowds across the state. The Utah Division of Consumer Protection received about 4,900 complaints during the last fiscal year.

Why it matters

Ticket prices can be high, and buyers seeking cheaper options may turn to sellers or websites they do not know or trust. Scams often occur in those situations, leaving buyers without the tickets they paid for.

The Utah Division of Consumer Protection received about 4,900 complaints during the last fiscal year, and more than $108 million in losses were reported in Utah in 2025. A single reported case involved a $3,500 payment to a stranger for Coachella tickets that never arrived.

The players

Utah Division of Consumer Protection

The state agency that received about 4,900 consumer complaints last fiscal year and is led on an interim basis by Daniel Larsen.

Daniel Larsen

Interim director of the Utah Division of Consumer Protection who oversees state consumer complaint handling.

Joe Ducey

Spokesperson for the Better Business Bureau who speaks on ticket buying safety.

Shaun Kimball

Founder of Chekkd, a platform designed to help verify sellers and prevent ticket fraud, whose brother lost $3,500 to a Coachella ticket scam.

The details

Scams often occur when buyers purchase tickets from sellers or websites they do not know or trust, including sellers on Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist that may not have been vetted. Consumers should consider using a credit card, which may provide additional protections.

Last fiscal year: the Utah Division of Consumer Protection received about 4,900 complaints.
2025: more than $108 million in losses were reported in Utah.

Market Landscape

The Utah Division of Consumer Protection's roughly 4,900 complaints last fiscal year provide a state-level baseline for consumer harm. Ticket resale remains a crowded marketplace where buyers face unvetted sellers across social platforms.

Buyers should verify sellers before paying and consider a credit card for added protection. Choosing a trusted, established ticket source reduces the chance of losing money to a fake listing.

The takeaway

Verifying a seller and paying with a credit card are simple steps that can protect your money when buying event tickets. Check a seller's reputation before sending any payment.