Depop scams: How to spot and avoid them

What is a Depop scam?

A Depop scam is a scheme that starts on the Depop app and aims to steal money, personal info, or merchandise. Sellers might get fake refund requests or see false payment confirmations, while buyers could run into fake listings, goods that don’t exist, or requests to pay outside the app.

Since Depop is a peer-to-peer marketplace, users deal directly with each other, which gives scammers opportunities to exploit trust. It’s easy for someone to create a new account or impersonate a legitimate buyer or seller, opening the door to phishing, social engineering, and other types of fraud.

Common Depop scams

Most Depop scams rely on convincing users to go outside the app’s normal transaction process. By moving payments or conversations off the app, scammers avoid Depop’s protections. Once that happens, it’s much harder to trace the activity or get your money or items back.

Off-platform transactions

Off-platform payment scams happen when someone asks you to pay outside the Depop app. Payments made off Depop aren’t protected by the platform, which scammers exploit. Common methods include PayPal, bank transfers, Venmo, Cash App, or other wallets. Once you pay outside Depop, it can be difficult or even impossible to get your money back.

Fake listings

Fake listing scams involve scammers posting items that don’t exist or aren’t as advertised. They often use stolen photos, stock images, or vague descriptions to trick buyers. These scams frequently pair with off-platform payment requests, leaving buyers completely unprotected.

Fake shipping scams

Fake shipping scams occur when a seller claims your item has shipped and provides a bogus tracking number or proof of shipment. The package never arrives, or tracking always shows it’s “in transit.” Depop requires tracked shipping for seller protection, so untracked shipments put both buyers and sellers at risk.

Non-delivery fraud

Non-delivery scams happen when a scammer takes your payment but never sends the item. Even if you see confirmation messages, without in-app tracked transactions, you could lose your money. Sellers can also get targeted if a “buyer” claims they never received the item.

Fake payment confirmations emails

Fake payment confirmation scams involve emails that look like they’re from Depop, claiming a purchase or payment has been made. These usually come from unverified addresses, not @depop.com. Depop warns never to click links in these messages and to report them as phishing.

Refund scams

Refund scams happen when a buyer claims they never received an item or that it was damaged — even if it wasn’t — and requests a refund. Without tracked shipping or documentation, a seller might feel forced to issue the refund.

Overpayment scams

Overpayment scams occur when a scammer pretends to pay more than the listed price and asks the seller to refund the difference. The initial payment is often fake or reversed later, leaving the seller without money or merchandise.

Bait-and-switch scams

Bait-and-switch scams happen when a buyer pays for an item but receives something entirely different — usually lower in value or unrelated. The scam leaves the buyer with a dud while the seller keeps the money.

Phishing scams

Phishing scams involve messages or emails that impersonate Depop to trick you into revealing login credentials, passwords, or other sensitive data. Social engineering tactics are often used to encourage you to act quickly.

Reset-your-credentials scam

Reset-your-credentials scams are phishing attempts where you’re asked to verify, reset, or update your login or payment information via a link. Entering details on a fake site gives scammers access to your account.

How to identify a scam on Depop

Both buyers and sellers should watch out for red flags that indicate someone might be trying to scam them. Here’s what to look for on each side of a transaction.

How to know if a Depop seller is fake

When looking at sellers, watch for these common warning signs that a profile or listing might be a scam:

• New account with no reviews. The seller’s profile is brand-new, with no reviews, no sales history, and minimal bio information.
• Stolen or stock photos. The listing uses professional, brand-model, or Pinterest-style images rather than original photos of the actual item.
• Prices that are too good to be true. High-demand items, such as rare sneakers or vintage designer pieces, are offered at unrealistic discounts.
• Requests to pay outside the app. The seller asks you to pay via bank transfer, PayPal Friends & Family, Cash App, or cryptocurrency instead of using Depop’s payment system.
• Poor communication or scripted messages. The seller gives vague answers, avoids specific questions, or refuses to provide extra photos of the item.

How to identify a fake Depop buyer

On the buyer side, these behaviors often signal a scam:

• Asking to pay outside the app. The buyer insists on using PayPal Friends & Family, bank transfer, Cash App, or cryptocurrency rather than Depop’s secure system.
• Fake payment confirmation emails. The buyer claims they have paid and sends a screenshot or email that looks official, but the payment never appears in your account.
• “Upgrade your account” or extra fee claims. The buyer says you must upgrade to a “business account” or pay a fee before they can complete the payment.
• Overpayment and refund requests. The buyer claims they accidentally overpaid and asks you to refund the extra amount, while the original payment is fake or later reversed.
• Address change requests. The buyer asks you to ship to a different address than the one shown on the transaction receipt, which can void seller protection.

What happens if someone scams you on Depop?

The most immediate consequence of a Depop scam is losing your money, the item you were selling, or sometimes both. Scammers often target high-value items like rare or vintage clothing to get the biggest payoff.

But the impact doesn’t stop at finances. Phishing or social engineering scams can put your private information at risk, including login details, contact info, or banking information. Falling victim to such scams can compromise your finances and make you more vulnerable to more serious issues like identity theft.

What to do if you get scammed on Depop

If you’ve been scammed on Depop, you can take specific steps to limit losses and protect yourself and your funds.

If you’ve been scammed on Depop as a seller

If a buyer scams you, your priority is stopping the transaction, preserving proof, and alerting Depop as quickly as possible. These steps can reduce your financial loss and strengthen any dispute you file:

• Report the buyer immediately. Use Depop’s in-app reporting tools to report the account, providing evidence like screenshots of messages.
• Interrupt shipment. Contact the courier immediately to try to stop or redirect the delivery if the item is still in transit.
• Secure your account. If the scam involves phishing, change your Depop password immediately and enable two-factor authentication. 

If you’ve been scammed on Depop as a buyer

If a seller scams you, your focus should be on recovering your money, verifying shipment, and keeping evidence of all interactions. Follow these steps:

• Report the issue in the app. Go to your purchase receipt and report the issue. If you paid through Depop’s checkout, you may qualify for buyer protection, though coverage may vary depending on where you’re located.
• Check the tracking carefully. Verify tracking directly through the courier’s official website. If the seller provided fake tracking or it shows no movement, include that information in your dispute.
• Don’t contact the scammer. Keep communication inside the app for evidence, but don’t agree to private refunds, partial deals, or off-platform arrangements.
• Secure your account. If the scam involves phishing, change your account’s password immediately. Check your email and payment accounts for unusual activity.

Does Depop offer buyer or seller protection?

Depop does provide protections for buyers and sellers, but these safeguards only apply if transactions stay within the app.

Buyer protection

Depop provides buyer protection for purchases made using the Buy button in the app or on the website. If an item doesn’t arrive, arrives damaged, or is significantly not as described, you can report it through the app and request a refund or resolution from Depop support within the allowed timeframe.

Buyer protection is available in supported regions like the UK, US, and Australia, and it only works if you pay in-app. Off-platform payments, like direct bank transfers, PayPal Friends & Family, or Cash App, aren’t covered.

Seller protection

Depop also offers seller protection, but it’s a bit more limited. To qualify:

• The sale must go through the Depop Buy button.
• The item must be shipped using a Depop-generated shipping label (in eligible countries).
• It must be sent within five days of the sale.
• It must go to the buyer’s address shown in the sale receipt.
• The transaction value must be within specified limits (usually around $300).

If all these criteria are met and the item is lost or damaged during transit, Depop may compensate the seller. Anything outside these rules, like off-app transactions or alternative shipping, usually isn’t protected.

How to avoid Depop scams

Staying safe on Depop is all about sticking to good habits and platform rules. The single most effective step is simple: Never make payments or complete transactions outside the app. Off-platform deals remove Depop’s protections, making it much harder to recover your item or money if something goes wrong.

You can also strengthen your security with solutions like NordProtect. It offers credit monitoring, online fraud coverage, and identity theft recovery support, helping you reduce the risk of identity theft and giving you expert assistance if your identity is ever compromised.