10 Most common Poshmark Scams and how to avoid them

Poshmark is a social marketplace for buying and selling apparel, accessories, electronics, and supplies for your home and pets. It provides a plethora of choices, but it also attracts scammers.

In this article, you will learn how to dodge the bullet of these online tricksters:

The common scams in Poshmark
Ways to avoid Poshmark scams
How to use the Poshmark protection program

Preventing Typical Scams in Poshmark

These are the prevalent modus on Poshmark and how to avoid them:

Transactions Outside Poshmark

It is also known as the “Email Me” or “Fake Email” scam, a classic red flag. Some Poshmark applications do not have an updated feature where buyers and sellers can have private conversations. Commenting is the only way to message the other end.

There will be email requests to contact you outside the platform, such as through Facebook or Messenger, whether you will buy or sell.

When you stumble upon scams like this, do not respond. Report the comment right away and use the action menu button. Poshmark will not cover transactions other than inside its marketplace.

Off-site Payment Scams

Outside Poshmark payments often stemmed from scammers from email requests. Scammers lure people to pay through:

CashApp
Venmo
PayPal
Other mobile payment systems

It will lead to scammers stealing your money and your personal information. They will dig into as much data as they can get.

Cashier’s check is another way scammers get away with money outside Poshmark. It is the technique they use fraudulent checks as a payment to buy online. The off-site suppliers try to process the payment, and the phony check is rejected.

To avoid the cashier’s check scam, do not transact payments outside Poshmark. However, if you already did, inform the financial institution to which the check is written. Only ship the item once you receive proof that the check is cleared and the amount is in your account.

Stolen Information

The seller or the buyer can only need the information that you gave to Poshmark. Some personal details are confidential that the website keeps private. The platform should be enough to do your transactions. Thus, personal information is optional.

Giving your personal information like your home address, real name, and relevant dates can easily lead to further fraud. Scammers can take over your accounts. They can pretend to be buyers or sellers and even access your banking information.

As a buyer, you can use a mailing or postal address if you are uncomfortable giving your home address. It is a convenient way to use Poshmark while keeping your private details.

Protect your information, whether you buy or sell. Take double check of the identity of who is seeking your personal information. Search for the users’ names online. Their names or schemes might surface and help you avoid their scams.

Changing the Shipping Label’s Address

As the buyer purchases Poshmark, the fake seller uses a program to change the shipping label to another location. It will have your zip code appear as an actual address. The package will include something other than the item you ordered. USPS indicates that it was delivered, but you have not received the package. The tracking shows the item was delivered, so the fake seller will get paid.

To avoid this, read the reviews, look at the seller’s profile, and see the products’ ratings. Verifying small details goes a long way. It helps you ensure that the seller sends the right products to you.

It brings us to the next scam.

Switching Items

Another famous Poshmark scam you might run into is switching.

Fake sellers scam buyers when they post authentic items on their listing, and sending the wrong ones is a problem. They usually use pictures that are not theirs and would ship damaged products. It can reflect on the sellers’ ratings and product reviews where Poshmark removes them in time.

Besides, fake buyers purchase an item and return the package with something else. If this happens, you can file a report against the buyer.

Double-check the users’ profiles and ratings to ensure transacting with them will be a good experience.

Counterfeit or Fake Products

Selling or returning fake products is a famous scam in Poshmark. You will see many counterfeit products of branded items like Apple, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and many others.

Here’s how to spot a fake product listing:

#1: Avoid buying high-end products from accounts that have just opened and have no reviews. Most likely, other users had reported their old accounts as counterfeit, so they had to make new ones.

#2: Ignore the stock photos. The seller might only have the real products if they have actual pictures other than stock photos.

#3: Just like the adage, if it’s too good to be true, it probably is. Given their market value, they sell the products very cheaply.

#4: Ask questions. Leave a comment on the listing or send a private message to the seller. If the seller gives a vague answer or does not give any, chances are it’s a fake listing.

Watch out for counterfeits so you can buy authentic ones.

Damaging for Force Returns

It is how buyers who scam get away with the money. Either the buyer does not like the items, or it’s just part of their scheme. The buyer ruins the items and claims to have received damaged ones.

To avoid these buyers, take pictures or videos before packing the items. It proves that the items were in the best condition before shipping. If the buyer returned the items in worse shape, the seller could file a report requesting Poshmark for reimbursement.

Using and Returning Within the Acceptance Window

There is nothing wrong with returning within the acceptance window on its own. However, some buyers take advantage of wearing the items and returning them.

Below is how you keep away from these buyers:

#1: Attach something (like a tag) to the items ordered before shipping. If the buyer wants to return it, the attachments should remain. It prevents the buyer from using it before returning it.

#2: Shy away from the acceptance or return window. It means you timely ship the package that will arrive on a Monday. The acceptance window is within three days, and the usual events happen towards the end of the week or on the weekend.

#3: Photographing your items with the attachments before shipping is helpful. If there are stains and tears when returned, then it was most probably used. You will have evidence when filing a report.

The next scam is another way of taking advantage, just like this.

Complaints from the Buyer/Bundle scams

This scam is an abuse of the bundle system. If there is a complaint about one of the items in the bundle, the entire bundle should be returned to the seller. Scammers do this in the hopes of getting a full refund.

As a buyer, you can file a report within three days of delivery. Provide photographs or text descriptions to support your claim. Poshmark will review your report and will assist with the next steps. Scammers will include one you most likely won’t like so you won’t return other items you probably like.

As a seller, Poshmark will notify you of every report against you. Photographs will be handy to prove that each item had no issues or flaws before shipping the bundle.

The best way to avoid scams like this is to look at the user’s ratings or reviews before accepting their offers.

Invalid Refunds

Another way for scammy users to steal money is by getting invalid refunds. Buyers return the items for not fitting, for arriving late, and for change of mind. Since Posh Protect does not cover this, they will use these or settle for other scammy reasons. There is no easy way to spot a scammer in this case.

Here are valuable ways to steer away from this:

#1: As a seller, including a detailed measurement guide or chart on your product listing. In this way, there is less reason for the buyer to claim that the item does not fit.

#2: Give the buyer updates. If you do this, the buyer will know you sent the items on time. It will be helpful if USPS fails to notify the buyer and seller of tracking updates.

Defend yourself from invalid refunds.

Additional Tips

Here is more information that you can use to safely shop on Poshmark.

Ask When in Doubt

There are questions in mind when scrolling through Poshmark.

The fits of items depend on the style and the body shape. If you are the buyer, don’t be shy! Leave a comment or give the seller a private message asking for specific measurements.

The product listing needs to be clarified too. Sellers include props in the photograph as accessories for grabbing attention. You can ask the seller if the items like bottoms, necklaces, belts, and many others are also for sale.

All in all, it will benefit both the buyer and the seller if all terms are clear before purchasing.

Take Advantage of Posh Protect

There is a protection program from Poshmark called Posh Protect every time you purchase or sell an item. It is helpful to read the terms and conditions when shopping and selling online.

Buyers are protected where Poshmark holds the fund until you receive and inspect the ordered items. The buyers also have the right to return the items if proven damaged by the seller free of charge.

Poshmark protects the sellers from lost and damaged packages, besides shipping insurance. For items over $400, Poshmark also requires a signature. The sellers will have customer service and assistance for returns.

The protection program only applies to purchases with total payments through on-site transactions, Poshmark notes.

Conclusion

You can now avoid the ten most common Poshmark scams when you stumble upon one or two. Use this article’s valuable information to sell and shop on this social marketplace safely. After all, awareness is the key.