I still remember the pit in my stomach the first time I realized something was wrong. It was late 2019, and I had just listed a pair of practically new Christian Louboutin heels—my biggest ticket item at the time. Within ten minutes, I got a comment. The buyer offered my full asking price but had a weird request about texting them photos because the app was "glitching." I was so excited about the potential $600 sale that I almost reached for my phone to text them.
If I had sent that text, I would have been pulled off the platform and likely lost both my shoes and my money. That was my wake-up call. While Poshmark is generally a fantastic place to sell, the reality is that where there is money, there are opportunists trying to take it.
Here is a quick overview of the landscape: Poshmark scams are real, but they are statistically rare if you know what to look for. In my years of selling thousands of items, I have only encountered serious scam attempts a handful of times, and almost all of them relied on getting me to communicate outside of the app.
Is Poshmark a Scam? A Brutally Honest Answer
Whenever I tell friends I sell clothes online for a living, the first thing they ask is, "Is Poshmark a scam?" It is a fair question. The internet is the Wild West.
The short answer is no. Poshmark is a legitimate, publicly traded company (now owned by Naver) with millions of users. It is not a scam site. However, that does not mean everyone using the site has good intentions.
Think of it like a shopping mall. The mall itself is safe and pays for security guards, but that doesn't mean a pickpocket can't walk through the front doors. Poshmark acts as the escrow service. When a buyer purchases your item, Poshmark holds the money. You don't get paid until the buyer accepts the item, and the buyer doesn't get charged unless you ship. This system eliminates about 90% of the risk you see on platforms like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace.
But that remaining 10%? That is where things get tricky.
The "Kindly Email Me" Comment Scams
This is the most common attempts you will see, specifically if you are a new seller. You list a pair of Nike Dunks or a high-end Gucci bag, and almost instantly, you get a comment.
It usually reads something like: "Hi dear, I am interested in this item but I cannot view the photos clearly. Kindly email me at scammer@gmail.com for immediate payment."
Poshmark scam comments like these are bots. They scrape the site for new listings from new accounts, hoping you don't know the rules yet.
I fell for a version of this early on (though I didn't lose money, just time). I emailed the person, thinking I was providing good customer service. They immediately sent me a fake check via email and asked me to ship the item before the check cleared.
Here is where it gets interesting. These scammers rely on "off-platform" transactions. As long as you keep your communication and transactions inside the Poshmark app, these bots are powerless. If you see the word "kindly" or a request to text/email, report the comment as spam and block the user. Do not engage.
The Dreaded Poshmark Bundle Scams
As I scaled up my business, I started moving more volume. I loved bundles because they cleared out inventory fast. But poshmark bundle scams are a specific headache that caught me off guard last year.
The scam works like this: A buyer adds five or six expensive items to a bundle. Let's say it's a mix of Lululemon Align leggings, an Anthropologie dress, and a few Free People tops. You offer a discount, they accept, and you ship it off in a large box.
Three days later, the buyer opens a case. They claim they received the box, but the Lululemon leggings were missing.
This is a nightmare scenario. It becomes your word against theirs. Poshmark support has to decide who is lying. If they side with the buyer, the buyer keeps the items and gets a refund, or they return the partial bundle and you are out the best item.
To combat this, I started filming myself packing high-value bundles. I literally set up my phone on a tripod and record me folding the items, showing the shipping label, and sealing the box. It sounds paranoid (and honestly, it adds time to my workflow), but having that video file ready to send to Poshmark support has saved me twice now.
Can You Get Scammed on Poshmark as a Seller?
The "Switcheroo" is the one that keeps me up at night. You might be wondering, can you get scammed on poshmark as a seller even if you do everything right? Yes, you can.
The "Switcheroo" happens when a buyer purchases an authentic item from you, claims it is "not as described" or "fake," and opens a return case. Poshmark approves the return. You wait for your item to come back.
But when you open the box, it is not your item.
I had a friend sell a vintage Chanel wallet in pristine condition. The buyer returned a beat-up, fake Chanel wallet that looked like it had been run over by a truck. Because Poshmark saw the tracking number showed "Delivered," they released the refund to the buyer. My friend was out the money and her authentic wallet.
This is why documenting serial numbers is non-negotiable. If I sell a camera, like a Canon EOS Rebel, I photograph the serial number on the body and the lens. If I sell a designer bag, I photograph the date code. I include these photos in the listing itself. It acts as a deterrent. Scammers look for lazy listings. If they see you have documented every inch of the item, they usually move on to an easier target.
Poshmark Email Scams and Fake Confirmations
Another variation of poshmark email scams involves fake payment confirmations.
You might get an email that looks exactly like an official Poshmark notification. It uses the same font, the same maroon color scheme, and the same logo. It says: "Your item has sold! Please ship immediately to this address to release your funds."
But if you open the app, there is no sale record.
I have seen poshmark scams email attempts that are incredibly convincing. They usually target high-value electronics or designer sneakers. The goal is to get you to ship the item without actually paying for it.
Here is my golden rule: I never trust my email. I only trust the app. If the app doesn't say "Sold" and provide me with a prepaid shipping label in the "My Sales" tab, the item has not sold. It does not matter what the email says.
Poshmark Buyer Scams: The "Damage" Claim
Sometimes, a buyer isn't a professional scammer; they just have buyer's remorse. They bought a dress for a wedding, wore it, and now want to return it. Since Poshmark doesn't allow returns for fit or "changing your mind," they have to manufacture a reason.
This leads to poshmark buyer scams where the buyer intentionally damages the item.
I once sold a silk Reformation dress. It was flawless. The buyer received it, decided it was too tight, and then took a pair of scissors to the hem. She opened a case claiming I sent her a damaged dress. She attached photos of the cut, which was clearly fresh.
I was furious. I fought the case, providing photos of the dress taken right before shipping (using the metadata on the photo to prove the date). Poshmark ended up releasing my funds and refunding her, taking the loss themselves. It was a "courtesy," but it still felt wrong that she got away with it.
Now the tricky part is that you can't prevent this 100%. You can only build a defense. I use Closo to automate cross-listing my inventory to other platforms like eBay and Mercari—saves me about 3 hours weekly—but having that inventory spread out also protects me. If Poshmark feels too risky for a specific high-value item (like a $2,000 watch), I might choose to sell it on a platform with an authenticity guarantee instead.
What Reddit Says: Reading the Horror Stories
If you want to lose sleep, just browse the poshmark scams reddit threads. It is a rabbit hole of horror stories.
However, reading these threads is actually a great way to stay educated. The community on the r/Poshmark subreddit is very active. They are usually the first to identify new trends in scamming.
For example, I learned about the "address change" scam on Reddit. A buyer purchases an item, then immediately comments: "Omg I forgot to change my address! Can you ship it to my mom's house instead?"
If you manually change the address on the label or buy a new label off-platform (like through Pirate Ship), you lose your seller protection. Poshmark only covers you if you ship to the address in the system. If a buyer needs to change their address, you must cancel the order and have them repurchase with the correct address. Reddit users saved me from making that mistake.
People Always Ask Me...
Does Poshmark cover me if I get scammed? Yes, mostly. Poshmark Protect is their policy that holds the funds. If a buyer claims they didn't receive the item but tracking shows delivered, Poshmark covers you. If a buyer returns a different item, you can open a "Counter Case." It is not a perfect system, and sometimes you have to fight for it, but it is significantly better than Venmo or PayPal Friends & Family transactions.
How do I spot a fake buyer account? Look at their "About" page. Legitimate buyers usually have a profile photo (even if it is just a pet), maybe a "Meet the Posher" listing, or some love notes given to other sellers. Poshmark scam accounts are often brand new (created that same month), have no profile photo, generic usernames (like user12345678), and zero listings. If a blank profile buys a $500 item, I double-check everything before shipping.
Scams on Poshmark: The Emotional Toll
The financial loss of scams on poshmark is one thing, but the emotional toll is surprisingly heavy. We pour a lot of time into sourcing, cleaning, photographing, and listing our items. When someone tries to cheat you, it feels personal.
I remember dealing with a poshmark scam involving a "lost" package. I spent hours on the phone with USPS, filing missing mail searches, stressing out over a $40 sweater. Looking back, the stress wasn't worth the money.
You have to develop a thick skin. Treat it like a business. Big retailers factor "shrinkage" (theft/loss) into their profit margins. As resellers, we have to accept that occasionally, things will go wrong. If you let the fear of poshmark scamsstop you from listing, you are losing 100% of the sales you didn't make.
Tools I Use to Stay Safe
Over the years, I have built a toolkit to protect my business.
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Phone Camera: I take excessive photos.
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Tripod: For filming the packing process of luxury goods.
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Poshmark App: I strictly keep all communication here.
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Closo: While primarily for cross-listing, it helps me keep accurate records of my descriptions across platforms.
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UV Pen: I mark the tags of my expensive items with invisible ink. If a buyer returns an item, I can shine a black light on the tag to prove it is the same unit I sent them.
If you are looking for more details on how to set up your business securely, check out this guide on how to start a reselling business. It covers the basics of inventory management which is your first line of defense.
Can You Get Scammed on Poshmark via Return Mail Fraud?
This is a sophisticated one. I call it the "Empty Envelope."
A buyer opens a return case. Poshmark approves it. The buyer uploads tracking that shows the item is on its way back to you. The tracking updates to "Delivered." Poshmark refunds the buyer.
But you never got a package.
What happened? The scammer sent an empty envelope or a piece of junk mail to a business near you in the same zip code. The tracking shows "Delivered to Zip Code 10001." Poshmark's automated system sees the zip code match and closes the case.
To fight this, you have to get the GPS coordinates of the delivery scan from the post office. It is a hassle, but it proves the item wasn't delivered to your specific address. It is rare, but scams on poshmark are evolving, and this one is tough to beat without persistence.
Poshmark Scams for Sellers: The "Change Your Password" Phishing
I recently got a comment that said, "Your account has been flagged for security. Please verify your identity here." It included a link that looked like a Poshmark URL.
This is a classic phishing attempt. If you click that link and enter your password, they steal your account. They can then drain your redeemable balance or use your account to run fake listings to scam others.
Never click links in comments. Poshmark will email you from an official @poshmark.com address if there is a security issue, and there will be a notification in the "News" tab of the app.
For a deeper dive into how Poshmark handles payments and fees, which helps you understand where the money actually sits during a transaction, read through this breakdown of Poshmark fees and processes. Understanding the money flow helps you spot when someone is trying to bypass it.
Is It Worth The Risk?
After reading about poshmark scams reddit threads and poshmark bundle scams, you might want to quit before you start.
Don't.
Poshmark has allowed me to pay off my student loans and fund my vacations. The vast majority of buyers are wonderful, honest people who just want a good deal on a cute outfit. They leave sweet love notes and rate 5 stars.
The scammers are the loud minority.
If you stay vigilant, trust your gut, and refuse to take transactions off the app, you are safer on Poshmark than almost anywhere else online. If something feels too good to be true—like a user offering to pay double via check—it is.
Also, don't put all your eggs in one basket. Diversifying where you sell is smart. If you are exploring other places to list your items, take a look at these websites like Poshmark to spread your risk.
Final Thoughts
Protection starts with you. Document your items, be skeptical of weird requests, and never be afraid to block a user who gives you bad vibes. The "Block" button is my best friend.
I have learned that my peace of mind is worth more than a potential sale. If a buyer is being difficult, asking suspicious questions, or pushing boundaries before the sale even happens, I block them. It saves me from the headache of a poshmark scam later on.
Stay safe, keep listing, and don't let the bad apples spoil the bunch. The resale game is still one of the best side hustles out there.
