Golden State Today

As the Deltopia weekend draws near, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office has issued a warning to potential partygoers about a scam involving prepaid tickets for parties in Isla Vista. The office cautions that these paid parties contravene local laws and might lead to financial penalties or party closures.

The Sheriff’s announcement references Santa Barbara County Ordinance 36-6, which stipulates that activities during Deltopia weekend, such as social gatherings, concerts, or parties, require no ticket, fee, donation, or other purchase as a condition for entry. Sheriff’s deputies will enforce this ordinance, closing down illegal events and issuing citations to organizers. Attendees who have already paid for tickets are unlikely to receive refunds if the events are dispersed.

Furthermore, reports have surfaced concerning fraudulent event listings on party apps. Scammers allegedly post false party advertisements at addresses without the residents' consent, charging non-refundable ticket fees. Both partygoers and property owners have suffered financial losses due to these activities. The Sheriff’s Office is working with local residents and property owners to identify these scams and will monitor affected locations throughout the weekend.

"Tickets for Deltopia parties aren’t just a waste of money—they’re likely a scam," the announcement concluded.