Poshmark Scams: How to Not Get Scammed on Poshmark?

Poshmark is a marketplace app for buying and selling pre-loved and new items. With over 130 million users, the app offers amazing deals on designer clothes, footwear, fashion accessories, and home décor items.

However, many scammers also use the Poshmark app to trick honest people. These bad actors look for ways to steal your money or the items you are selling.

Knowing there are scammers on Poshmark, you might feel nervous about making your first purchase or sale. Knowing how these scams work on Poshmark is the best way to stay safe.

Many common Poshmark scams start when someone asks to move off the app. They may suggest using email or text to finish a deal. Staying within the Poshmark app is the only way to keep your money secure.

This guide will explain all the Poshmark scams and how you can protect yourself from getting scammed on the marketplace. So, let’s begin.

Is Poshmark Safe to Use?

Poshmark is a safe and reliable app for both buyers and sellers. The marketplace app uses a special system to keep your money and items secure.

This system is called Posh Protect, and it covers every order you make. It ensures that you get exactly what you paid for before the seller is paid.

Poshmark holds your money in a safe place until the package arrives. You then have three days to check the item for authenticity or any hidden damage.

If the item is not what you expected, you can ask for a full refund. Poshmark will review your case and help you send the item back safely.

Sellers are also protected because Poshmark provides official shipping labels. These labels track the package so everyone knows exactly where it is.

You only run into trouble if you decide to leave the Poshmark app. Scammers will often ask to talk through email or a private text message.

They do this because Poshmark cannot track or stop fraud outside of the app. Always keep your conversations and payments on the Poshmark app.

Common Poshmark Scams You Should Know as a Seller

Off-Platform Requests

This Poshmark scam starts when a buyer asks you to text or email them because they “can’t see the photos” or want to “pay outside the app.”

Their intention is to take you away from Poshmark’s monitored environment.

Once you move to text or email, they will send a counterfeit payment notification that looks official but is completely fake.

If you ship the item based on that email, you lose both your item and your money. Poshmark cannot help you if the sale didn’t happen on their app.

So, never share your phone number or email with a buyer.

Forced Returns

Because Poshmark doesn’t allow returns for “fit” or “changed my mind,” some buyers on Poshmark will intentionally sabotage an item to get their money back.

They might rip a seam, pull a thread, or create a small stain, then file a “Not as Described” claim.

To combat this, you must document everything. Take detailed, close-up photos of the item’s condition—including the lining and hardware—right before you pack it.

This evidence is your only defense if a buyer tries to claim you sent them a damaged product when you actually sent a pristine one.

Return Swapping

This is one of the most frustrating scams for sellers on Poshmark.

In this scam, a buyer receives your luxury item but initiates a return claiming you sent them a “different item” or an empty box.

If Poshmark accepts the return, the scammer sends back a cheap decoy or a box of rocks instead of your original product.

To protect yourself, always get a receipt from the post office that shows the exact weight of the package at drop-off.

If the “return” package weighs significantly less or more than what you sent, you have physical proof to show Poshmark support.

Change of Address

In this Poshmark scam, the buyer will message you after a purchase asking you to ship to a “new address” or a “friend’s house” instead of the address on the Poshmark label.

They often sound very polite and urgent. However, if you manually change the address or buy a new label, you lose all seller protection.

The buyer can later claim the package was never delivered to their official address, and Poshmark will automatically refund them because the original tracking never updated.

Always tell the Poshmark buyer to update their address in the app and repurchase the item.

Phishing Comments

Phishing comments on Poshmark often look like automated system alerts.

In this scam, you will see a comment on your listing from an account with a Poshmark logo as their profile picture, stating that your account needs “verification” or that a “security hold” has been placed on your funds.

They will provide a link for you to “log in” and fix the issue. These links lead to fake websites designed to steal your password and bank details.

Remember, Poshmark will never ask for your personal information or password through a comment on a listing or an unsolicited external link.

How to Avoid Getting Scammed on Poshmark as a Seller?

Stay On-App

The most effective way to protect yourself as a seller is to keep every interaction and transaction within the Poshmark app.

Scammers on Poshmark often comment on listings claiming they need more photos sent to a personal email or phone number because the app is “blurry.”

This is a tactic to lure you away from Poshmark’s monitored environment so they can send you fake payment confirmations.

By staying on-app, you ensure that Poshmark’s automated systems can track the transaction and that your seller protection remains fully intact.

If a buyer pushes to move off-app, simply decline and report the comment as spam to alert the moderation team.

Document Everything

To defend against fraudulent “not as described” or “empty box” claims, you must document the exact condition of the item at the time of shipment.

Take high-resolution photos of all angles, including the interior lining, hardware, and care tags.

Many Poshmark sellers now record a continuous video showing the item’s condition, the packaging process, and the application of the shipping label.

This time-stamped visual proof is important if a buyer intentionally damages an item to force a return.

Having this evidence ready allows you to quickly dispute false claims and proves to Poshmark support that the item was sent exactly as described.

Get Receipts

Never drop high-value packages into a blue collection bin without getting a physical scan. Instead, take your items to the counter and request a printed receipt that displays the package’s weight.

This receipt serves as your “smoking gun” if a buyer claims they received an empty box or a different, lighter item.

Since Poshmark knows the weight of the original item, a significant discrepancy between your drop-off weight and the weight of a returned package can win you a dispute.

This paper trail provides an objective third-party verification that the correct inventory was actually handed over to the carrier for delivery.

Use Poshmark Shipping Labels

Always use the prepaid shipping label provided by Poshmark and never ship to an address sent via private message or email.

Scammers frequently claim they have moved and ask you to “just write the new address on the box.”

If you do this, the tracking on the official label will never show as “delivered,” allowing the scammer to claim they never received the item and secure an automatic refund.

If a buyer truly needs an address change, you should cancel the original order and ask them to update their profile settings before repurchasing the item to ensure you remain covered by Poshmark’s shipping protection.

Common Poshmark Scams You Should Know as a Buyer

Off-App Payment Scam

This is the most dangerous scam for buyers on Poshmark.

A seller will list a highly desirable item, like a rare designer bag or a trending tech gadget, at a significantly lower price than usual.

In the item description or via comments, the seller will claim he can give you an even better discount if you pay through Venmo or CashApp to “avoid Poshmark fees.”

Once you send the money, the seller disappears, and because the transaction happened outside of Poshmark, you have zero recourse. Posh Protect only covers you if you pay through the app.

Authentication Dodging Scam

Poshmark automatically authenticates any luxury item sold for $500 or more at its headquarters.

Scammers intentionally price high-end counterfeits at $485 or $495 to stay just under that threshold. By doing this, the item ships directly from the scammer to you without expert authentication.

They often use stolen photos of authentic items to trick you.

Always check a seller’s “Love Notes” and ratings, and if a luxury deal seems too good to be true and just happens to be under $500, proceed with extreme caution.

The “Zip Code” Shipping Scam

In this technical scam, a seller sends a package, often containing junk or an empty envelope, using your tracking number but slightly alters the delivery address to a different location within your same zip code.

Because the tracking technically shows as “Delivered” to your city, Poshmark’s system may automatically release the funds to the seller after three days.

If your tracking says delivered but nothing is there, contact your local post office immediately for the GPS delivery coordinates and open a case with Poshmark before the 72-hour window expires.

Stock Photo Deception Scam

Some Poshmark sellers use captivating, professional stock photos from a brand’s website but never include actual photos of the item in their possession.

This often hides the fact that the item is a low-quality replica, heavily damaged, or doesn’t exist at all.

This is known as “Bait-and-Switch.”

As a buyer, you should always look for “tagged” photos (the item with the seller’s username on a piece of paper) or unique angles that prove the seller actually has the physical product.

If a listing only uses stock photos, ask the seller to upload a photo of the care tag.

Fake Support Comments

You may see comments on your “Likes” or your own listings from accounts claiming to be “Poshmark Verification” or “Support.”

They might tell you that your recent purchase has been flagged for a security check and provide a link to “verify your identity” or “confirm your shipping address.”

These links lead to fake login pages designed to steal your credit card info or account password.

Poshmark will never ask for sensitive info via a comment section. Official communication will always come through the “News” tab in the app or an email ending in @poshmark.com.

How to Avoid Getting Scammed on Poshmark as a Buyer?

Reject Off-App Payments

The most important rule for any Poshmark buyer is to never send money through external apps like Venmo, CashApp, or Zelle.

Scammers frequently list high-demand items at “too good to be true” prices and then claim they can offer an even deeper discount if you pay outside of Poshmark to “save on seller fees.”

Once you send that money, the seller will disappear, and Poshmark cannot assist you because the transaction never officially occurred on their platform.

Posh Protect only covers purchases made through the Poshmark checkout system, which holds your funds in escrow until you confirm the item is correct.

Get Luxury Items Verified

When shopping for designer items, be extremely wary of items priced just under the $500 threshold, such as $485 or $495.

Poshmark’s expert authentication service is only mandatory for items priced at $500 or more, and scammers intentionally use this “dead zone” to ship high-end counterfeits directly to buyers without a professional inspection.

Always check the seller’s history for “Love Notes” from other luxury buyers and look for “closet photos” rather than just professional stock images.

If the seller refuses to provide a photo of the care tag or serial number, they are likely hiding a fake item.

Track Deliveries Closely

A common  scam on Poshmark involves the “Zip Code Trick,” where a seller sends a junk envelope to a random address within your same zip code using your tracking number.

Because the tracking status will officially show as “Delivered” to your city, Poshmark’s system will automatically release your money to the seller after 72 hours if you don’t intervene.

If your tracking says “Delivered” but the package is missing, you must immediately contact your local post office for the GPS delivery coordinates and open a formal dispute with Poshmark Support before that three-day window expires to freeze the payment.

Inspect Packages Immediately

You only have a strict 72-hour window after delivery to report any issues, so you should never wait to open your packages.

As soon as the item arrives, check for undisclosed damage, stains, or signs of a counterfeit that weren’t mentioned in the listing.

Some Poshmark buyers even choose to film an “unboxing” video for expensive items to provide indisputable proof if the box contains a different item than what was ordered.

Once you “Accept” the order or the three-day timer runs out, the sale is final, and Poshmark will almost never grant a refund regardless of the item’s condition.

What to Do If You Get Scammed on Poshmark?

If You Are a Buyer

1. Don’t “Accept” the Item: Once you click “Accept Order,” the funds are released to the seller and Poshmark cannot give you a refund.
2. Open a Case Immediately: You have exactly 72 hours after the tracking shows “Delivered” to report an issue. Go to My Purchases, select the item, and tap Problems/Order Inquiry to open a case.
3. Provide Clear Photos: Upload clear photos showing exactly how the item is damaged, counterfeit, or different from the description.
4. Freeze the Payment: If you fell for the “Zip Code Trick” (tracking says delivered but nothing arrived), contact Poshmark Support immediately to pause the automatic 3-day payment release.

If You Are a Seller

1. Dispute the Return: If a buyer is granted a return but sends back a damaged item, a different item, or an empty box, do not accept the return in the app.
2. Report a Problem with Return: Once the return package arrives, go to the order and select Report Problem with Return. This alerts Poshmark that the buyer committed “Return Fraud.”
3. Upload Your Evidence: This is where your pre-shipment photos and post office weight receipts are important. Show Poshmark the weight of what you sent versus the weight of what you received back.
4. Involve Your Bank: If the buyer files a “Chargeback” through their credit card after keeping your item, provide Poshmark with all your shipping proof so they can fight the bank on your behalf.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can you get scammed on Poshmark?

Yes, you can be scammed on Poshmark, though buying and selling on Poshmark is generally safer than many other marketplace apps. Common scams include sellers pushing you to pay off-platform via Venmo or Cash App (where you lose all protection) and sellers shipping counterfeit or fake items.

Are luxury items safe to buy on Poshmark?

Luxury items that are priced more than $500 are relatively safer to buy on Poshmark, as they are covered under the Poshmark authentication service (Posh Authenticate). For items under $500, you should be more cautious; check the seller’s “Love Notes” (reviews) and avoid buying items that seem too good to be true, as these are often fakes.

Does Poshmark refund buyers if they get scammed?

Yes, under the Posh Protect policy, you are eligible for a full refund if your item never ships, is damaged, or is proven to be inauthentic. However, you must report the issue within 3 days of delivery; once you “Accept” the order or the 3-day window passes, the funds will be released to the seller, and the sale becomes final.

Can sellers get scammed on Poshmark?

Sellers on Poshmark usually get scammed by “return scam,” where a buyer claims an item is damaged or missing and ships back an empty box or a different, cheaper item to get a refund. To stay protected, always use the Poshmark-provided shipping label and take photos or video of yourself packing the item as evidence in case a dispute is opened.