I still have the physical cashier's check sitting in my desk drawer as a reminder of my own stupidity. It was 2017, and I was new to selling online. I listed a vintage designer handbag for $250. Within an hour, a user commented, asking me to email them more photos because the app was "glitching." I emailed them. They offered to send a cashier's check for $400—the extra $150 was for "the inconvenience" and to pay their movers.
It sounds ridiculous now, but at the time, I was broke and excited. I took the check to the bank. The teller looked at it, looked at me, and said, "This is a photocopy of a check from 1999." I didn't lose the bag, thankfully, but I lost my dignity and about two hours of my life.
If you are new to the platform, you might be wondering is poshmark a scam or just a place to buy used sweaters. The truth is, Poshmark itself is a legitimate, billion-dollar company. However, like any marketplace with millions of users, it attracts predators. I’ve spent the last seven years navigating these waters, and I’ve learned that while the platform is safe, the people on it aren't always your friends.
The "Kindly Email Me" Bot Army
If you list an item today, I guarantee that within ten minutes, you will see a comment that says: "Hi dear, kindly email me at [scammer]@gmail.com for immediate payment."
How it works: This is the most common poshmark scam you will encounter. These are bots. They target new listings hoping to lure inexperienced sellers off the app.
-
The Goal: They want your email address to send a fake "Item Sold" confirmation email that looks like it came from Poshmark, tricking you into shipping the item before you actually get paid.
-
My Strategy: I report the comment as spam immediately. I don't engage. I don't reply "No." I just delete and block.
Opinion Statement: I honestly believe Poshmark could do more to filter these comments automatically. The fact that the word "kindly" (a hallmark of these scripts) isn't an immediate red flag in their algorithm is baffling to me.
The Check Overpayment Scheme
This is the evolution of the Craigslist scam, and it answers the question: can you get scammed on poshmark if you aren't careful? Yes, if you accept payment outside the system.
The Mechanics: As I mentioned in my intro, the buyer offers to send a check. They send too much money "by accident" or for "movers." They ask you to deposit the check and wire back the difference.
-
The Result: You wire them real money. Two weeks later, their check bounces. You are out the cash you sent them, plus bank fees.
My Honest Failure: I didn't lose money on that check in 2017, but I almost did. I had already packed the bag. The only thing that saved me was the bank teller's sharp eye. If I had deposited it via mobile deposit, I might have sent the "refund" before the bank caught the fraud.
-
Lesson: Is Poshmark legit? Yes. Is a check from a stranger legit? Never.
Return Fraud: The "Box of Rocks"
Now the tricky part... can you get scammed on poshmark as a seller even if you do everything right? Unfortunately, yes. This is known as return fraud.
Here’s where it gets interesting... Poshmark holds the funds until the buyer accepts the item (or 3 days pass). This protects the buyer, but it can hurt the seller.
-
The Scenario: You ship a pristine pair of Gucci loafers. The buyer receives them. They open a return case claiming "Item Not As Described." Poshmark approves the return.
-
The Scam: The buyer keeps your Gucci loafers and ships back a box containing an old pair of Walmart sneakers (or literally rocks) to match the weight.
-
The Limitation: Poshmark’s support sees that a return package was delivered to you. They refund the buyer. You open the box and find trash.
How I Fight Back: I now video record myself packing high-value items (anything over $200).
-
(Parenthetical aside: I know this sounds paranoid, but having video proof of the condition and the shipping label in the same shot has won me two appeals against fraudulent returns. It’s worth the extra minute.)
Poshmark Bundle Scams: The Switcheroo
Poshmark bundle scams are a sneakier variant. Poshmark allows buyers to bundle multiple items from one closet to save on shipping.
The Mechanism: A buyer bundles a cheap item (a $10 shirt) and an expensive item (a $300 jacket). You ship both.
-
The Claim: They claim they only received the shirt. Or they claim the jacket was damaged.
-
The Result: Poshmark might refund them for the "missing" item, or ask them to return the bundle. If they return it, they might keep the jacket and send back the shirt plus filler.
My Strategy: I use Closo Crosslister to manage my inventory across platforms – saves me about 3 hours weekly – but it also helps me keep strict records of my stock. If a bundle sells, I take a photo of all items laid out together next to the shipping label before sealing the box.
Is Poshmark a Safe Site for Buyers? (The Counterfeit Problem)
We’ve talked about sellers, but are there scams on poshmark for buyers? Absolutely. The biggest one is counterfeit luxury goods.
The "Replica" Trap: Sellers will list a "Chanel" bag for $400. They might use photos of a real bag (stolen from another site) but ship you a fake.
-
Poshmark Authenticate: Poshmark offers free authentication for items sold for $500 or more.
-
The Loophole: Scammers list fakes for $495. This bypasses the automatic authentication check.
My Personal Anecdote: I bought a "vintage" Dior saddle bag for $350 in 2020. The photos looked good. When it arrived, the leather felt like plastic and the stitching was crooked. I opened a case immediately.
-
The Win: I submitted photos of the stitching and the serial tag. Poshmark sided with me and refunded my money.
-
The Lesson: Poshmark fraud teams are actually pretty good at spotting fakes if you provide clear evidence. Never accept the order until you have inspected the item thoroughly.
The "Change of Address" Scam
I see this one constantly. You make a sale. The buyer messages you: "Omg I moved! Can you ship to this new address instead?"
The Risk: If you change the address on the label manually or buy a new label outside of Poshmark, you lose your seller protection.
-
The Scam: The buyer receives the item at the new address. Then, they report to Poshmark that they never received it at the original address on the file. Poshmark checks the tracking, sees it didn't go to the file address, and refunds the buyer. You lose the item and the money.
The Fix: Tell them: "I cannot change the address. I will cancel the order. Please update your address in Poshmark settings and repurchase." If they are legit, they will do it. If they are scammers, they will vanish.
Poshmark Email Scams: Phishing 101
Poshmark email scams are designed to steal your login credentials.
The Setup: You get an email that looks like it’s from "Poshmark Support" or "Poshmark Security." It says your account is suspended or you have a new offer, and you need to click a link to verify.
-
The Tell: Look at the sender address. Real emails come from
@poshmark.com. Fake ones come fromposhmark-support@gmail.comorservice-poshmark.net.
My Rule: I never click links in emails. If I get an email about a sale or an offer, I open the Poshmark app on my phone. If the notification isn't in the app, the email is a lie.
People always ask me...
"Is Poshmark a scam?"
Common question I see. No, poshmark legit status is solid. It is a publicly traded company (now owned by Naver). The platform itself is safe. The danger comes from individual bad actors using the platform to trick you. If you follow the Terms of Service—specifically, keeping all transactions on the app—you are protected by Posh Protect.
"Does Poshmark have scams involving verification codes?"
People always ask me this. Yes. A "buyer" will ask for your phone number to "verify you are real" by sending a code. This is a Google Voice scam. They use your number to set up a Google Voice account to scam others. Poshmark never requires phone verification via a buyer.
"Can you get scammed on Poshmark with PayPal?"
If you stay on the app, you don't use personal PayPal transfers. You pay Poshmark, and Poshmark pays the seller. The scam happens when a user asks you to pay them via PayPal "Friends and Family" to avoid fees. Once you send that money, it’s gone. Poshmark cannot help you because the transaction happened off their site.
Conclusion
So, is poshmark a safe site? Generally, yes. It is safer than Facebook Marketplace because there is a middleman holding the money. But you have to be vigilant.
If a deal looks too good to be true (like a $2,000 bag for $200), it is. If someone wants to take the conversation to email or text, block them. If they ask for weird payment methods, run.
Selling online is a numbers game. Eventually, you will run into a weirdo. But don't let the fear of scams on poshmarkstop you from making money. In seven years and thousands of sales, I have only had two genuine scam attempts that went beyond a spam comment. The system works if you let it work.
If you are looking to expand your business safely, check out our guide on The Best Cross-Listing Apps for 2025 to diversify your income streams. And if you want to ensure your high-value items are priced correctly to attract real buyers (not scammers), read our deep dive on Resell Pricing Strategies.
FAQ Page Schema
Here's something everyone wants to know: Is Poshmark legitimate?
Yes, Poshmark is a legitimate, safe platform for buying and selling fashion and home goods. It uses a system called "Posh Protect," which holds the buyer's payment until the item is delivered and accepted. This prevents most direct theft, provided users keep their transactions on the app.
Common question I see: What are the most common scams on Poshmark?
The most frequent scams are off-platform transactions, where a user asks you to email or text them to pay outside the app (often via check or CashApp). Return fraud is also common, where a buyer returns a damaged item or an empty box. Counterfeit goods remain a persistent issue for luxury buyers.
People always ask me: Can I get my money back if I get scammed on Poshmark?
If the transaction occurred on the Poshmark app, yes. Buyers have 3 days after delivery to open a case if an item is not as described or fake. Poshmark will review the evidence and issue a refund. However, if you took the transaction off the app (e.g., paid via Venmo), Poshmark cannot help you recover the funds.
