I still remember the adrenaline rush of listing my first "big ticket" item on Poshmark—a vintage Louis Vuitton speedy bag I’d inherited but never used. Within ten minutes, I had a comment. "Beautiful bag! I am very interested. Kindly email me at [email address] for immediate payment as the app is glitching."
My heart jumped. Sold already? I opened my email app, ready to type a reply. Then I paused. Why would a billion-dollar app "glitch" only for payment? I ignored the comment. Two hours later, that user account was banned. I had almost handed over my banking details to a bot.
If you are asking is Poshmark a safe site, the answer is yes—but only if you stay on the marked path. The moment you step off, the wolves are waiting.
Is Poshmark Legit? (The Platform vs. The People)
Poshmark itself isn't a scam. It’s a middleman. They hold the buyer's money in escrow until the item is delivered and accepted. This "Posh Protect" system is actually safer than eBay’s old model because the funds don't hit the seller's account until the buyer confirms the item is okay (or 3 days pass).
But safety features often create new loopholes. Scammers on Poshmark don't hack the system; they hack you. They rely on social engineering—manipulating your fear of missing a sale or your desire for a deal.
The Golden Rule of Safety
Never, ever take a transaction off the app. If you learn nothing else from this article, learn this. Poshmark takes a 20% fee. Scammers will tell you, "Let's use Venmo/PayPal to save the fee!" The moment you agree, you lose all protection. Poshmark cannot help you if you sent money via CashApp for a pair of invisible Guccis.
The "Off-Platform" Payment Scam
This is the most common trap for new sellers. You list an item, and a bot immediately comments asking you to email or text them photos because "the images aren't loading."
Here's where it gets interesting... the scam isn't the photos. Once you email them, they have your direct contact info. They will send you a fake payment confirmation email that looks exactly like an official Poshmark alert.
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The Trap: The email says, "Item Sold! Funds are on hold. Please ship immediately to release payment."
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The Reality: If you check the Poshmark app, there is no sale.
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The Result: You ship the item. The scammer gets it for free. You get nothing.
Tool to use: Always check the "My Sales" tab in the Poshmark app. If the item isn't listed there as "Sold," it hasn't sold. No exceptions.
Poshmark Email Scams: The "Account Suspended" Phishing
In 2025, phishing has gotten sophisticated. You might receive an email with the subject line: "Action Required: Your Poshmark account will be suspended."
The email claims there was a "security breach" or an "irregular listing" and asks you to click a link to verify your identity. The link takes you to a fake Poshmark login page. You type in your password, and poof—the scammer now owns your account. They will drain your redeemable balance and list fake items under your reputable name.
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(Opinion: If an email urges you to "act now" within 24 hours, it is 99% likely a scam. Real support tickets rarely have doomsday clocks.)
The "Change of Address" Hustle
This scam targets sellers who are trying to be helpful.
The Scenario: You sell a pair of sneakers. The buyer messages you frantically: "Oh no! I moved and forgot to update my address. Can you ship it to my mom's house instead? Here is the address."
The Trap: If you manually change the shipping label or hand-write a new address on the box, you void your seller protection.
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The buyer waits for delivery.
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They open a case claiming "Item Not Received."
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Poshmark looks at the tracking. The tracking shows it was delivered to a different zip code than the one on file.
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Poshmark refunds the buyer. The buyer keeps your shoes and the money.
The Fix: Tell the buyer to cancel the order, update their address in the app, and repurchase. If they refuse, it’s a scam.
I use Closo to automate my daily sharing – saves me about 3 hours weekly – and keeps my activity consistent so I don't look like a dormant account that scammers love to target.
Poshmark Bundle Scams (The "Missing Item" Trick)
Bundles are a great way to move inventory, but they carry a specific risk.
For Sellers: The Partial Return
A buyer bundles five expensive items—let's say three Lululemon leggings and two Anthropologie tops. You ship them. The buyer opens a return case claiming, "I only received the tops. The leggings are missing."
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The Scam: Poshmark often sides with the buyer if there is no proof. The buyer gets a refund and keeps the expensive leggings.
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The Defense: I record a quick video of myself packing high-value bundles. It sounds paranoid, but having a 30-second clip of you sealing the box with all items inside is your best insurance.
For Buyers: The "Bait and Switch"
You see a bundle of "Mystery Reseller Box" luxury items for a suspiciously low price. The seller has zero reviews. You buy it. You receive a box of stained, fast-fashion trash.
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The Scam: The seller is banking on you forgetting to open the box within the 3-day acceptance window. Once those 3 days pass, the funds are released, and you are stuck with the garbage.
Return Fraud: The "Damaged on Purpose" Nightmare
This is the one that keeps sellers up at night. Poshmark does not allow returns for "fit" (i.e., "It doesn't fit me"). To get around this, dishonest buyers will manufacture a flaw.
My Personal Failure (2023): I sold a pristine silk reformation dress for $180. The buyer received it, realized it was too tight, and took a pair of scissors to the hem. She opened a case claiming I sent her a damaged dress. She uploaded photos of the cut, which was clearly fresh (no fraying). Poshmark approved the return. I got back a ruined dress I couldn't resell.
Now the tricky part... proving it. Poshmark support is often run by bots or overworked agents who skim cases.
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Defense Strategy: Photograph every seam and hem before shipping. Upload these to the listing or keep them on your phone. When a case is opened, upload these "pre-shipment" photos to the case chat immediately to prove the condition.
Can You Get Scammed on Poshmark? (Buyer Edition)
Yes, buyers are at risk too, primarily from counterfeit goods.
The "Superfake" Problem
While Poshmark offers Posh Authenticate for items over $500, items priced at $499 or below don't get auto-checked. Scammers know this. They list fake Gucci belts or Nike Dunks for $250—high enough to seem real, low enough to bypass the authentication HQ.
Red Flags for Fake Listings:
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Receipts look "too new": Scammers print fake receipts. If the receipt font looks generic or the paper is perfectly unwrinkled, be wary.
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Stock Photos Only: If a seller has no photos of the actual item, run.
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One-Hit Wonders: The seller has one listing, zero "Love Notes" (reviews), and joined this month.
5 Tools to Protect Yourself
You don't need to be a detective, but you do need a toolkit.
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TinEye (Reverse Image Search): Before buying a luxury item, run the seller's photo through TinEye or Google Lens. If that same photo appears on an eBay listing from 2019 or a sketchy Chinese wholesale site, it’s a scam.
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Posh Protect: This isn't an app, it's the policy. Know it. You have 3 days (72 hours) after delivery to open a case. Set a reminder on your phone. If you open the box on Day 4, you are out of luck.
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Video Timestamp Apps: Use your phone's native camera setting to timestamp videos when packing expensive orders.
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USPS Receipt: Never drop a package in a bin. Always wait in line and get a printed receipt. This proves the weight of the package. If a buyer claims you sent an empty box, the weight on the receipt proves you didn't.
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Closet Assistant (or similar): While primarily for sharing, automation tools can help you track inventory history, making it easier to spot if a buyer is returning a different item than the one you listed (by comparing historical data).
FAQ
People always ask me: "What happens if I get scammed on Poshmark?"
If you catch it within the 3-day window, you open a case in the app. Upload clear photos and keep your language professional. Do not fight with the other user in the comments. Address your messages to "Poshmark Support." If Poshmark denies the claim and you used a credit card, you can file a chargeback, but be warned: Poshmark will ban your account for life immediately after.
Common question I see: "Are Poshmark mystery boxes legit?"
Technically allowed, but high risk. "Mystery Boxes" are a favorite vehicle for dumping low-quality inventory. Unless you are buying from a seller with hundreds of Love Notes specifically praising their mystery boxes, treat it as a gamble, not a purchase. You rarely get the value promised.
"How do I spot a fake Poshmark email?"
Look at the sender address. Real emails come from @poshmark.com. Scams come from poshmark-support@gmail.com, posh-service@hotmail.com, or variations like poshmark-security-alert.com. Also, Poshmark will never ask for your password via email.
Conclusion
Is Poshmark a safe site? Generally, yes. It is safer than meeting a stranger from Facebook Marketplace in a parking lot. But it requires "defensive driving." You have to assume that a brand-new account asking for email communication is a bot. You have to assume that a $2,000 Chanel bag listed for $200 is a fake.
My final advice: Treat every transaction like a business deal. Document everything. Stay on the app. Trust your gut. If a buyer feels "off," block them. It’s better to lose a sale than to lose your merchandise.
If you are scaling your reselling business and want to focus on sourcing rather than sharing, look for automation tools that keep your account active and safe.
Check out the Closo Seller Hub for more safety tips
How to Sell on Poshmark: My Blueprint After 5 Years of Flipping
Poshmark Scams: Real Stories and How I Protect My Closet
FAQ Page Schema
Here's something everyone wants to know: Can you get your money back if you get scammed on Poshmark? Yes, but strict time limits apply. Poshmark holds the payment for 3 days after delivery. If you file a "Item Not as Described" case within that 72-hour window, Poshmark will review it. If approved, you return the item and get a full refund. If you wait past 3 days, the funds are released to the seller and Poshmark considers the transaction closed.
Common question I see: Is it safe to give my phone number to a Poshmark seller? No. Never give your phone number or email address in the comments. Scammers use this to send fake payment confirmations or phishing links. Poshmark filters often block phone numbers in comments for this exact reason. Keep all communication inside the app.
People always ask me: Do Poshmark sellers get scammed by buyers? Yes. The most common seller-side scams are "Return Fraud" (returning a different or damaged item) and "Chargebacks" (buyer disputes the charge with their bank after keeping the item). Sellers can protect themselves by documenting serial numbers and packing processes.
