● LOW RISK

Poshmark Scams & Safety Risks

Poshmark is a legitimate social resale marketplace (publicly listed, owned by South Korea's Naver) that has operated since 2011 with a large user base and high app-store ratings. The platform itself is safe to use, with "Posh Protect" buyer protection covering items that arrive damaged, counterfeit, or not as described when you stay on-platform. Almost all Poshmark fraud is off-platform: bot comments urging you to "kindly email me," fake "Item Sold" emails that trick sellers into shipping early, and fake-check or overpayment schemes. The brand name is also abused in phishing and impersonation messages.

Losses: No single figure; typical losses are a shipped item (sellers) or payment for a non-existent/counterfeit item (buyers). Fake-check scams can cost a seller the item plus the "overpayment."

Targets: New sellers unfamiliar with the rules, and buyers/sellers of high-value items

Updated: 2026-06-26

Also known as: Poshmark scam · is Poshmark legit · Poshmark safe · Poshmark reviews

How It Works

**Is Poshmark legit?** Yes. Poshmark is a real, publicly traded company owned by Naver, active since 2011 with a large user base and strong app-store ratings. On-platform it offers Posh Protect: if an item is missing, damaged, counterfeit, or not as described, buyers can open a case within three days of delivery for a return label and refund. **How it actually works.** Poshmark is a social marketplace — users list closet items, communicate via comments, and transact through the app. Posh Protect, prepaid Poshmark shipping labels, and held funds protect both sides as long as everything stays in the app. That protection breaks the moment a transaction moves off-platform. **The "kindly email me" bot scam.** Bots scrape new listings and comment things like "Kindly email me at [address] for immediate payment." The goal is to pull sellers off-platform, then send a fake "Item Sold — please ship immediately to release payment" email that mimics Poshmark, tricking the seller into shipping before any real payment exists. If there is no sale showing in the app, there is no sale. **Fake-check and overpayment scams.** An off-platform "buyer" mails a fake check (often for more than the price), then asks the seller to ship the item and wire back the "overpayment" before the check bounces. The seller loses the item and the cash. **Counterfeits and impersonation.** Counterfeit designer goods appear despite policies, and scammers create fake accounts or send phishing messages impersonating Poshmark support. Authenticate luxury items and use Poshmark's authentication service for higher-value purchases where available.

How Scammers Make Contact

App Comments / BotsPhishing EmailsOff-platform Email & TextFake Checks & Payment Apps

Warning Signs & Red Flags

Any comment or message with "kindly," or asking you to email/text outside the app
An "Item Sold / funds on hold — ship immediately" email when the app shows no sale
A buyer offering more than the asking price (overpayment) for "shipping" or "handling"
A mailed check, especially one larger than the sale amount
Requests to pay or be paid via Zelle, Cash App, Venmo, Western Union, or wire
Brand-new accounts pushing urgency, or a luxury deal far below market
Emails or links that do not come from an official poshmark.com address

Real-World Example

"They will send a fake payment confirmation email that looks exactly like an official Poshmark alert saying "Item Sold! Funds are on hold. Please ship immediately to release payment." But if you check the Poshmark app, there is no sale."
— CLOSO: The Real Truth About Poshmark Scams

How to Protect Yourself

Keep 100% of communication and payment inside the Poshmark app — never email/text a counterparty
As a seller, only ship after the sale appears in your app and you have a Poshmark prepaid label
Ignore and report "kindly email me" comments as spam, then block the user
Verify "Item Sold" alerts inside the app, not from emails
Never accept checks or off-platform payments, and never wire back an "overpayment"
Inspect luxury items for authenticity and use Posh Authenticate where eligible
Use a strong unique password and 2FA, and confirm emails truly come from poshmark.com

What To Do If You're a Victim

1Buyers: open a Posh Protect case within 3 days of delivery with photos for damaged/fake/not-as-described items
2If Poshmark will not resolve it, dispute the charge with your credit-card issuer
3Report the scam account or comment to Poshmark support and block the user
4Report the fraud to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov
5If you deposited a fake check, contact your bank immediately — you are liable when it bounces
6If you entered credentials on a phishing page, reset your Poshmark password and enable 2FA

Report This Scam

FTC Report Fraud FBI IC3 Identity Theft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Poshmark Scams & Safety Risks?

What are the warning signs of Poshmark Scams & Safety Risks?

Any comment or message with "kindly," or asking you to email/text outside the app. An "Item Sold / funds on hold — ship immediately" email when the app shows no sale. A buyer offering more than the asking price (overpayment) for "shipping" or "handling". A mailed check, especially one larger than the sale amount. Requests to pay or be paid via Zelle, Cash App, Venmo, Western Union, or wire.

How do I protect myself from Poshmark Scams & Safety Risks?

Keep 100% of communication and payment inside the Poshmark app — never email/text a counterparty. As a seller, only ship after the sale appears in your app and you have a Poshmark prepaid label. Ignore and report "kindly email me" comments as spam, then block the user. Verify "Item Sold" alerts inside the app, not from emails.

What should I do if I'm a victim of Poshmark Scams & Safety Risks?

Buyers: open a Posh Protect case within 3 days of delivery with photos for damaged/fake/not-as-described items. If Poshmark will not resolve it, dispute the charge with your credit-card issuer. Report the scam account or comment to Poshmark support and block the user. Report the fraud to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

How serious is this threat?

We rate this lower risk — but it still costs people. Reported losses: No single figure; typical losses are a shipped item (sellers) or payment for a non-existent/counterfeit item (buyers). Fake-check scams can cost a seller the item plus the "overpayment.". Most exposed: New sellers unfamiliar with the rules, and buyers/sellers of high-value items.

Can I get my money back?

Recovery depends on how you paid. Credit card payments may be reversed through chargebacks, while wire transfers and cryptocurrency are rarely recoverable. Report immediately to your bank and file complaints with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and the FBI IC3 at ic3.gov.

How do I report Poshmark Scams & Safety Risks?

Report to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. For internet crimes, file with the FBI IC3 at ic3.gov. For identity theft, visit identitytheft.gov. You should also contact your local police and your bank.

Sources & References

Related Scams

Fake Online Store

A storefront with real-looking products and unreal prices takes your payment and either ships nothing or sends a counterfeit. Many are built fast and abandoned just as fast. Pay by credit card so you can dispute it, and be wary of a brand-new site selling brand-name goods for a fraction.

Marketplace Scam

On Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and the like, the scam runs both ways — fake listings that take a deposit, buyers who "overpay" with bad checks, counterfeit goods, and a push to move off-platform. Keep it in person, in cash or platform-protected payment, and treat any nudge toward Zelle or gift cards as a stop sign.

StockX Scams & Safety Risks

StockX is a legitimate, established resale marketplace for sneakers, streetwear, and collectibles that routes items through an authentication step before they reach the buyer. It is generally safe and delivers authentic products for most buyers — meaningfully safer than unverified peer-to-peer resale. But authentication is not flawless: Nike's 2022 lawsuit alleged counterfeit pairs slipped through, and counterfeiters now fake StockX green tags and receipts. The bigger consumer risk is fake "StockX" sites, phishing, and social-media impersonation accounts that use the brand to lure buyers off the real platform.

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