I still remember the first time I sold a high-value item on Depop. It was late 2019, and I had listed a vintage Burberry trench coat for $350. Within an hour, I got a direct message.
"Hey! I love this. Can I buy it right now? But my Depop app is glitching. Can you email me at [random address] so I can arrange payment?"
My stomach dropped. I was new, hungry for the sale, and nearly broke. The offer was right there. But something about the grammar, the urgency, and the request to leave the app triggered a little alarm bell in my head. I ignored the message. Two hours later, the account was banned by Depop for suspicious activity. If I had emailed them, I likely would have been sent a fake "Payment Confirmed" email, shipped the coat, and lost $350 and my favorite jacket.
That was my introduction to the Wild West of social shopping. Depop is an incredible platform—it’s where Gen Z dictates fashion trends and where vintage sellers make six figures—but it requires street smarts. If you are scrolling through listings for Y2K baby tees and asking is depop safe, the answer is yes, but with a massive asterisk. It is safe ifyou follow the rules. If you step one inch outside their "walled garden," you are on your own.
Is Depop Legit? (The Platform Reality)
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of scams and SSNs, we need to address the baseline question: is depop a legitimate site?
Yes. Depop legit status was solidified years ago. It isn't some fly-by-night operation run out of a basement.
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The Owner: In 2021, Etsy (the massive handmade marketplace) bought Depop for $1.6 billion.
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The Scale: It has over 30 million registered users.
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The Vibe: Think of it as Instagram meets eBay. It is legitimate, but because it feels like social media, people often let their guard down in ways they wouldn't on Amazon.
Opinion Statement: I believe Depop is actually safer than Facebook Marketplace because there is no expectation of meeting a stranger in a parking lot. Everything is shipped. However, it is less safe than The RealReal because Depop does not physically inspect the items before they are shipped to you. You are trusting the seller's photos, not a professional authenticator.
Is Depop Safe to Buy From? (Buyer Protection)
When you ask is depop safe to buy from, you are really asking: "If I get a box of rocks, will I get my money back?"
The answer lies in Depop Buyer Protection. If you buy inside the app using the "Buy" button, you are covered.
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The Window: You have 30 days from the date of purchase to report an issue.
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The Coverage: You get a full refund if the item never arrives, is counterfeit, or is "significantly not as described" (e.g., you bought a red shirt and got a blue one).
My Honest Failure: In 2023, I bought a pair of "Vintage Levi's" for $60. When they arrived, they were clearly modern Levi's from Target with the tags cut out. I was furious.
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The Fix: I opened a dispute in the app.
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The Result: The seller ghosted me. Depop stepped in after 7 days and refunded my $60.
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The Limitation: It took about 10 days total to get the money back. It wasn't instant, but it worked.
Is Depop Reliable for Shipping?
Depop sellers are regular people. They are not Amazon Prime.
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Reliability: Most sellers ship within 3-5 days.
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The Risk: Some college students ship once every two weeks. Always check the seller's reviews for "Fast Shipping" badges before you buy.
Is Depop Safe to Sell? (Seller Risks)
Sellers face a different set of dangers. Is depop safe to sell high-value items? Yes, but you have to protect yourself against the "Item Not Received" scam.
The Scam: A buyer purchases your item. You ship it. Three weeks later, they open a dispute saying "I never got it." The Protection: Tracking Numbers.
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The Rule: If you cannot provide a valid tracking number that shows "Delivered" to the buyer's address on the receipt, you lose. Period.
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The Mistake: I once sent a sticker pack in a stamped envelope to save money. The buyer claimed it never arrived. Since I had no tracking, Depop forced me to refund them. I lost the stickers and the cash.
Now the tricky part... dealing with "Change of Address" requests. If a buyer messages you after the sale: "Hey! I moved. Can you ship to this new address instead?" Do not do it.
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The Trap: If you ship to the new address, you void your seller protection.
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The Fix: Refund the order. Tell them to update their address in settings and buy it again.
I use Closo to automate checking my inventory across platforms – saves me about 3 hours weekly – and ensuring that my listings are synced so I don't accidentally sell an item on Depop that I already sold on Poshmark, which protects my seller rating from cancellation penalties.
Is Depop Safe to Give SSN? (The Tax Question)
This is the number one panic search I see: is it safe to give depop my ssn? You make your first few sales, and suddenly the app locks your payouts until you provide your Social Security Number. It feels invasive. Is it a scam?
No. It is Federal Law.
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The Law: The IRS requires all payment processors (like Stripe, which powers Depop Payments) to issue a 1099-K tax form if you sell over a certain threshold (this threshold fluctuates by year and state, often $600 or $5,000).
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The Processor: You aren't texting your SSN to Depop's CEO. You are entering it into Stripe, a massive global financial infrastructure company that handles payments for Amazon, Zoom, and Shopify.
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The Verdict: Yes, is depop safe to give ssn? It is as safe as giving it to your bank. If you refuse, they legally cannot release your funds, and your money will sit in limbo forever.
Depop Reviews: The Good, The Bad, and The Bots
If you look at depop reviews on the App Store vs. Trustpilot, you see a war zone.
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App Store (4.8 Stars): "Love the style," "Found great vintage," "Easy to use."
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Trustpilot (1.6 Stars): "Banned for no reason," "Scammed," "Customer service is a bot."
Why the disconnect? People only go to Trustpilot when they are angry. Usually, they are angry because they got banned.Why do people get banned?
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Spamming: Messaging people "Check out my shop!"
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Off-App Words: Typing "Venmo," "CashApp," "Instagram," or "Email" in the chat. Depop's bots scan your DMs. If you try to take a transaction off-app to avoid fees, they ban you. It is ruthless, but it keeps the platform safe.
The "Off-App" Trap (Where Safety Breaks Down)
Here's where it gets interesting... 99% of "I got scammed" stories happen because the user left the app.
The Scenario: You find a Gucci bag for $400. The seller says, "Depop fees are annoying. Venmo me $350 and I'll ship it free." The Math: You save $50. The Reality: You send $350 via Venmo. The seller blocks you. You have no bag. The Aftermath: You complain to Depop. Depop says, "We have no record of this transaction." You are out $350.
Depop Buyer Protection only covers transactions made inside the app. If you pay outside, you are donating money to a stranger.
The Financials: Marketplace Fee Depop
One reason people try to go off-app is to avoid fees. But in 2025, that excuse is dying. marketplace fee depop structure has changed radically.
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Selling Fee: 0%. (Yes, Depop removed the 10% selling fee for US/UK sellers on new listings).
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Processing Fee: 3.3% + $0.45 (Stripe fee).
Opinion Statement: With the removal of the 10% selling fee, there is absolutely zero logical reason to take a transaction off-app. Risking a ban and a scam to save 3% is financial insanity.
How to Sell Fast on Depop (Safely)
If you want to know how to sell fast on depop without attracting scammers, you need to look like a pro. Scammers target "newbie" accounts that look confused.
1. The "Sold" Mark
If you cross-list items (sell on Poshmark and Depop), you must be fast.
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Keywords: how to mark an item as sold on depop.
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The Steps: Tap the item > Tap the three dots (...) > Select "Mark as Sold."
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Why: If you sell a shirt on eBay and forget to delete it on Depop, a Depop buyer might buy it. Then you have to refund them. Doing this too often flags your account as "unreliable," and Depop will restrict your visibility.
2. High-Quality Photos
Scammers use stolen stock photos. Real sellers use distinct, consistent photos.
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Tip: Use Canva to remove backgrounds or add a consistent colored border to your images. It builds trust.
3. Refreshing Listings
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The Hack: Edit your listing and hit "Save" (without changing anything). This bumps your item to the top of the search feed. Do this daily.
I use Closo to automate my daily refreshing strategy – saves me about 3 hours weekly – because manually tapping "Edit" and "Save" on 200 items every morning is a recipe for carpal tunnel.
People always ask me...
"Is Depop reliable for authenticating luxury goods?"
Common question I see. No. Unlike The RealReal or eBay's "Authenticity Guarantee," Depop does not physically inspect items.
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The Risk: If you buy a "Gucci" bag, you are trusting the seller's photos.
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The Fix: If it arrives and looks fake, you can open a dispute. Depop will ask for proof (photos of stitching, serial numbers). If you prove it's fake, you get a refund. But the burden of proof is on you.
"What if the seller asks for my phone number?"
People always ask me this. This is usually a scam. They will say "I need your number for the shipping label."
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The Truth: Depop generates the label for them. They do not need your number.
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The Danger: They might use your number for a "Google Voice" identity theft scam (asking you to read back a 6-digit code). Never give your number.
"Can I get my money back if the item doesn't fit?"
Generally, no. Depop Buyer Protection covers "Not as Described," not "Doesn't Fit."
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The Exception: If the seller listed it as "Size Medium" and it arrives with a "Size Small" tag, that is "Not as Described." You win.
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The Advice: Always ask for measurements (pit-to-pit, length) in the chat before you buy.
Conclusion
So, is depop safe? Yes. It is a legitimate, multi-billion dollar platform that handles millions of safe transactions every year. I have built a substantial income stream selling vintage jackets on Depop, and I sleep soundly at night knowing my bank info is secure with Stripe.
However, it is a social marketplace. It requires you to be awake.
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To Buyers: If the price is too good to be true, it’s a scam.
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To Sellers: If the buyer tries to take you to Instagram, block them.
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To Everyone: Never, ever leave the app.
If you treat Depop like a business transaction rather than a DM slide, it is one of the safest and most profitable places to engage in the resale economy.
If you are ready to start selling safely, check out our guide on [How to Spot Depop Scams Before They Happen]. And if you want to know how much money you can actually make, read our breakdown of [Depop vs. Poshmark Fees] to see which platform puts more cash in your pocket.
FAQ
Here's something everyone wants to know: Is it safe to give Depop my SSN?
Yes, it is safe and required by federal law. Depop uses Stripe, a global payment processor, to handle financial data. They require your Social Security Number (SSN) to comply with IRS "Know Your Customer" (KYC) regulations and to issue a 1099-K tax form if you meet the reporting threshold. Your SSN is encrypted and is not visible to Depop support staff or buyers.
Common question I see: Is Depop safe to buy from?
Yes, as long as you purchase through the app. Depop Buyer Protection covers you if an item never arrives, is counterfeit, or is significantly different from the description. You have 30 days to open a dispute. However, if you pay a seller via Venmo, CashApp, or PayPal "Friends & Family" outside of the Depop platform, you have zero protection and will likely lose your money.
People always ask me: How do I mark an item as sold on Depop?
If you sold an item on another platform (like Poshmark or eBay) and need to remove it from Depop, do not delete it—mark it as sold to keep your shop looking active. Tap on the item in your profile, tap the three dots icon (...) in the top right corner, and select "Mark as Sold." This keeps the record visible but prevents anyone from buying it.
