Have you ever been excited to snag a great deal on Depop, only to have that excitement turn into disappointment or frustration? As the popularity of secondhand and vintage items continues to grow, so does the risk of falling victim to scams on online marketplaces like Depop.
In this blog post, we’ll explore some common Depop scams and provide you with practical tips to protect yourself while buying and selling on the app. Read the blog till the very end so that you can better understand the scams happening on Depop and ensure that your experience remains positive and scam-free.
Is It Common to Get Scammed on Depop?
We can’t say that it’s common to get scammed on Depop. Depop is a big online marketplace with around 2 million registered sellers. So, there are a few sellers on the marketplace who try to scam buyers in different ways.
If you go to the Depop subreddit, you will find dozens of posts where buyers and sometimes even sellers complain about getting scammed. Here below, we have attached a few of these posts for your convenience.
Types of Depop Scams
1- Transaction off Depop Scam
This is one of the most common scams on Depop in which the wannabe seller will try to move the transaction away from Depop. The seller might suggest using a payment option other than the ones that Depop uses. Moreover, the scammer might offer a discount to entice you.
The danger in this scam lies in the loss of Depop’s buyer protection. When transactions occur outside the marketplace, you have no recourse through Depop if something goes wrong. Scammers exploit this vulnerability and then disappear with the money.
2- Fake/Inauthentic Item Scam
In this scam, sellers list counterfeit or inauthentic items as genuine branded items. They may use stolen photos from legit sellers or brands, or create convincing replicas of popular items. These fake items are often priced slightly below market value to attract buyers looking for better deals.
The scam can be difficult to anticipate, especially for new Poshmark buyers, looking to buy branded luxury items. Buyer receives low-quality counterfeits or nothing at all. This not only results in money loss but also undermines trust in Poshmark.
To protect against these scams, buyers should always thoroughly research sellers and items. Moreover, they need to be wary of deals that seem too good to be true. If in doubt, it’s best to err on the side of caution and report suspicious activity to Depop.
3- Order Never Received and Seller Vanished Scam
This scam involves a seller listing items on Depop at competitive prices to lure buyers. Once a purchase is made, the seller either fails to ship the item or sends a fake tracking number.
He may initially communicate with the buyer to maintain the illusion of a legitimate transaction. However, as time passes and the item doesn’t arrive, the seller becomes unresponsive and eventually disappears completely.
By the time the buyer realizes he has been scammed, the fraudulent seller has already moved on, possibly creating new seller accounts to repeat the process.
4- Email Hacking Scam
The email hacking scam on Depop is basically a deceptive tactic where scammers request your email address under seemingly innocent pretexts. While sharing an email address may appear harmless, it can lead to serious consequences.
Scammers can exploit your email in various ways. They might contact you claiming there’s a “processing issue” on Depop and ask you to make payment through alternative means. This bypasses Depop’s security measures and leaves you vulnerable.
Another method involves sending fake emails that mimic official Depop communications. These emails might falsely confirm a sale, tricking you into shipping items without actually receiving payment.
Perhaps most dangerously, scammers can attempt to hack your email account directly. They may use the “forgot password” feature to try resetting your password and gaining access to your personal information and other accounts.
To protect yourself from the email hacking scam, never share your email on Depop. There’s typically no legitimate reason to do so, and it’s best to keep all communications within the app’s messaging system.
5- Item Swap Scam
The item swap scam is a common scam done by dishonest buyers on Depop. In this scam, a buyer purchases an item he already owns, but in worse condition, and then falsely claims the item he receives is damaged or not as described.
Here’s how this scam typically happens. The buyer purchases an item from a seller which is often a high-value luxury or designer item. After receiving the item, he initiates a dispute with Depop, claiming the item is damaged, fake, or not as advertised. However, the “evidence” he provides is actually photos of his own pre-existing item in poor condition or a counterfeit version.
This scam is particularly challenging for sellers because it often becomes a case of one person’s word against another’s. Without concrete proof of the item’s condition at the time of shipment, Depop may have little choice but to side with the buyer, as they cannot automatically assume the buyer is the scammer.
To protect against this type of fraud, many experienced sellers adopt the practice of taking photos of their items from multiple angles before shipment. Moreover, they take photos of any tags or identifying features along with the shipping label and buyer’s information.
Unfortunately, if a seller lacks proof of the item’s condition at the time of shipping, he may face significant difficulties in fighting the scam. While Depop might offer protection in some cases, the process can be challenging and time-consuming.
How to Not Get Scammed on Depop?
1. Always Make Payments Through Depop
Keep all transactions within the Depop platform to ensure maximum protection. Scams often occur when buyer and sellers attempt to move communications and payments off the marketplace. By adhering to Depop’s payment system, you benefit from their buyer and seller protection policies and secure transaction processes.
2. Never Share Your Personal Details
Protect your personal information at all costs. Avoid sharing sensitive data such as email addresses, phone numbers, or account details with other users. Scammers may use this information to gain unauthorized access to your accounts or for identity theft. Stick to communicating through Depop’s messaging system for all inquiries and transactions.
3. Trust Your Instinct in the First Place
If something feels off about a transaction or a seller, listen to your gut feeling. Don’t hesitate to decline requests that make you uncomfortable or seem suspicious. Be wary of deals that appear too good to be true, as they often are. If you encounter any fraudulent activity, don’t hesitate to block the account and report it to Depop immediately.
4. Reach Out to Customer Service
Depop’s customer support team is there to help you. If you’re unsure about a situation or need advice, don’t hesitate to contact them. They can provide guidance on potential scams, assist with disputes, and offer support throughout your buying or selling experience. Reaching out to customer service early can often prevent issues from escalating.
Will Depop Refund Me If I Get Scammed?
Depop offers buyer protection to safeguard its buyers against scams and unsatisfactory purchases. If you fall victim to a scam or receive an item that doesn’t meet your expectations, you are eligible for a refund.
To qualify for a refund, you must report the issue to Depop within 30 days of your order. This applies if your item doesn’t arrive, arrives damaged, or is significantly different from its description.
Once you report the issue, Depop will review your case. If it meets Depop return policy, you’ll receive a full refund without needing to take any additional steps.