By Selling on Poshmark is a great way to earn money from fashion, accessories, and home items—but not every buyer is who they claim to be. If you’re new to the platform or have had suspicious interactions, you might be wondering: How to tell if a Poshmark buyer is legit?
This guide covers the top signs of a trustworthy buyer, red flags to avoid, and steps you can take to protect your listings, your account, and your money.
Check the Buyer’s Profile
Legitimate Poshmark users typically have:
- A profile picture
- Recent activity (likes, comments, or purchases)
- Followers and following counts
- A completed bio
- A join date older than a few days ago
Red Flag: A buyer with no profile pic, no listings, or an empty profile might be a bot or scammer.
Review Feedback and Ratings
While Poshmark doesn’t show buyer ratings, you can check if they’ve sold items or interacted positively with other users by:
- Viewing their listings and reviews from buyers
- Looking at their love notes from previous sales (if they’re also sellers)
If a buyer is also an active seller, they’re more likely to be legit.
Watch for Suspicious Comments or Messages
Poshmark scammers often leave odd comments like:
- “Is this still available?” (on recently listed items)
- “Please email me at [email address]”
- “I’ll pay extra if you ship today”
- “Text me to complete the sale”
Important: Poshmark’s policy is no communication outside the app. If someone asks to move the transaction off-platform, it’s a scam.
Legit Buyers Use Poshmark Checkout
If a buyer tries to:
- Pay via PayPal, Venmo, CashApp, or Zelle
- Ask for your phone number or email to “send payment”
- Claim they’ve paid you outside the app
Stop immediately. Only accept payment through Poshmark’s in-app checkout system. It’s the only way to stay protected under their seller guarantee.
Look for Quick Action After Liking an Item
Many legit buyers:
- Like an item
- Bundle it
- Leave a quick comment or offer within minutes or hours
Scammers tend to like random items in bulk without engaging in normal buyer behavior.
Legit Buyers Don’t Pressure You
If someone is:
- Demanding you ship before payment
- Offering large overpayments
- Asking you to cancel your listing for an off-app transaction
They are likely not legit.
Reminder: Poshmark holds the buyer’s payment in escrow until you ship and the item is confirmed delivered. There’s no reason to engage outside the platform.
Avoid External Links or Email Requests
If a user posts a Google Docs link, website link, or email address, it’s likely a scam attempt.
Legit buyers will use:
- The offer button
- The bundle feature
- Direct messaging within Poshmark only
Be Cautious with New Accounts
Not all new users are scammers—but if someone joined today or yesterday and is already asking for off-platform deals, it’s best to avoid them.
Legit buyers who are new will still use official Poshmark functions and follow the platform’s rules.
Watch for Grammar Issues and Spammy Language
Many scam messages are auto-generated and contain:
- Odd formatting
- Capital letters in strange places
- Misspelled words or broken English
Examples:
“VERY URGENT – pls send me an email to finish purcha$e now!!”
If it sounds robotic or overly eager, it’s suspicious.
Trust Your Instincts
If something feels “off,” trust your gut. You are under no obligation to respond to suspicious messages or fulfill strange requests.
What to Do If You Suspect a Scam
- Do not respond or share personal details
- Report the user through the app by clicking the three dots on their profile
- Block the user so they cannot comment or message you again
- Contact Poshmark Support if you’re unsure
Poshmark takes scams seriously and can investigate suspicious behavior.
Conclusion
Spotting a legit Poshmark buyer comes down to watching for red flags and sticking to official platform processes. Avoid any request to email, pay outside the app, or ship before a confirmed sale. When in doubt, block and report.
By following these best practices, you’ll keep your store safe and enjoy selling with confidence.
FAQs
1. Can a buyer scam you on Poshmark?
It’s rare, but possible. Most scams involve attempts to take the sale off-platform. Stick to Poshmark’s rules and you’re protected.
2. What if someone asks to pay via PayPal?
Don’t do it. Off-platform payments void Poshmark’s seller protection. It’s a common scam tactic.
3. Are new buyers always fake?
No, but be cautious. If a new buyer is behaving oddly or requesting off-platform communication, it’s safer to block them.
4. What happens if I ship to a scam buyer?
If the sale was completed on Poshmark and you shipped with their label, you’re protected. Poshmark holds the payment until delivery is confirmed.
5. How do I report a scammer on Poshmark?
Go to their profile > tap the three dots (…) > select Report > choose the reason (spam, scam, etc.).
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