Is Poshmark legit? Yes, Poshmark is perfectly safe to use — it’s a real online store that specializes in the buying and selling of new and used clothing, accessories, and beauty products. Just like other platforms though, scams frequently occur on Poshmark that target both buyers and sellers. Read on for all you need to know — as well as how Trend Micro ScamCheck can help protect you.

7 Poshmark Scams

Below you’ll find an overview of all the main scam types as well as top tips to stay safe.

• Impersonation Scams
• Fake Listings and Counterfeit Goods
• Item Not Received Scam
• Poshmark Payment Scams
• Poshmark Phishing Email Scams
• Chargeback Scam
• Account Takeover

Impersonation Scams

One of the most common scams making the rounds at the moment involves scammers impersonating innocent buyers on the platform — as well as Poshmark support staff. What happens is this:

1. The scammer pretends to be a buyer interested in a product.
2. The scammer/buyer informs the seller that they are having an issue carrying out the payment.
3. The scammer/buyer informs the seller that they have spoken to Poshmark support (with a screenshot of fake communication).
4. The scammer/buyer informs the seller that they should contact the support email in the screenshot, due to account issues.
5. This is a fake email address mimicking Poshmark and staffed by scammers. At this point their aim will be to steal your log-in credentials and payment details.

If you encounter this scenario, be very skeptical indeed. Reach out to Poshmark support directly through their website, here, never through someone else!

Fake Listings and Counterfeit Goods

Scammers may post listings for high-end or popular items at a low price to attract buyers. Once a buyer makes a purchase, the scammer either sends counterfeit or low-quality items that don’t match the description or doesn’t ship anything at all.

Red flags: Prices that are significantly lower than market value, listings with generic or stock photos, or sellers with little to no feedback or history.

Item Not Received Scam

After a buyer pays for an item, the seller may claim that the item has been shipped, but it never arrives. Sometimes the seller may provide fake tracking information or delay shipments to avoid responsibility.

Red flags: Sellers who are slow to respond to messages or provide tracking information. If the tracking status doesn’t update or is inconsistent with the seller’s claims, this could be a sign of fraud.

Poshmark Payment Scams

A scammer may claim that they’ve made a payment for an item but provide a fake screenshot or payment confirmation. They will ask the seller to ship the item immediately, but the payment was never actually processed.

Red flags: Fake payment confirmations or screenshots that are poorly formatted or contain spelling errors. Sellers should always verify payments through Poshmark’s platform rather than trusting external messages or links.

Poshmark Phishing Email Scams

There is also a plethora of phishing emails making the rounds, purporting to be from Poshmark in regard to some issue, for example, account security, payment problems, and transaction confirmation.

If in doubt, be sure to get in touch with Poshmark. You can report phishing attempts to them at: phishing@poshmark.com or support@poshmark.com. Be aware that all Poshmark emails should end with @poshmark.com. Fake website URLs include “pose[.]com/poshmark[.]com” and “post-mark[.]com”.

Chargeback Scam

A buyer may purchase an item and, after receiving it, initiate a chargeback with their bank or credit card company, claiming that they didn’t authorize the purchase. This results in the seller losing both the product and the money.

Red flags: Buyers who seem overly demanding or difficult to contact after the sale. It’s important for sellers to keep track of shipping receipts and communication in case a chargeback is disputed.

Account Takeover

Scammers may be able to take over an existing account by stealing log-in information through phishing emails or other tactics. This allows them to manipulate the platform, scam other users, or conduct fraudulent transactions.

Red flags: Sudden changes in behavior or activity on a Poshmark account, like unexpected messages or listings that don’t align with the usual patterns.

How to Avoid Poshmark Scams

Poshmark is safe, as long as users follow these best practices:

For Buyers

• Always use Poshmark’s secure payment methods.
• Look for verified sellers with good ratings and reviews.
• Be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true, especially for luxury goods.

For Sellers

• Ship items promptly and always provide valid tracking information.
• Verify payments through Poshmark’s system and avoid external payment requests.
• Keep proof of shipment and communication in case of a dispute.

General Tips

• Do not carry out transactions outside Poshmark, including communication. Doing so will nullify Poshmark’s consumer protections.
• Report any suspicious activity to Poshmark support immediately.
• Never share your personal information like login details, credit card numbers, or social security numbers.

Protect Yourself with Trend Micro ScamCheck

With the increasing number and sophistication of scams, staying one step ahead is more crucial than ever. Unfortunately, antivirus software alone isn’t enough. Introducing the newly updated Trend Micro ScamCheck! Available for both Android and iOS, ScamCheck offers comprehensive protection from deceptive phishing scams, scam and spam text messages, deepfakes, and more:

• Scam Check: Instantly analyze emails, texts, URLs, screenshots, and phone numbers with our AI-powered scam detection technology. Stay secure and scam-free.
• SMS Filter & Call Block: Say goodbye to unwanted spam and scam calls and messages. Minimize daily disruptions and reinforce your defenses against phishing.
• Deepfake Scan: Detect deepfakes in real-time during video calls, alerting you if anyone is using AI face-swapping technology to alter their appearance.
• Web Guard: Surf the web safely, protected from malicious websites and annoying ads.

To download Trend Micro ScamCheck or to learn more, click the button below. And if you found this an interesting or helpful read, please SHARE it with friends and family to help keep the online community secure and protected. Also, please consider clicking the LIKE button or sharing your experience in a comment below.