Can You Get Scammed on Depop?

You probably didn’t expect to lose $100 today. You thought you were scoring that vintage jacket at half the retail price. The seller had good reviews, a polished profile, and everything seemed legit—until it wasn’t. That moment when the tracking number never gets sent, the excuses start to pile up, and eventually, radio silence. Yes, you just got scammed on Depop. It happens more often than you'd think, and unfortunately, many users are left wondering if they'll ever see their money—or item—again.

Depop, a popular marketplace known for buying and selling second-hand and vintage items, offers an exciting way to find unique clothing. But with its rise in popularity, scammers have found their way into the platform, exploiting users with sophisticated tricks that often leave even the most experienced buyers and sellers scratching their heads. The real question is: how can you protect yourself from becoming a victim?

The Psychology Behind Scams

Why do people fall for scams in the first place? Often, it boils down to two things: trust and urgency. Sellers on Depop can craft profiles that mimic those of real, trustworthy users. They might even complete a few legitimate sales to build credibility. Once their profile looks genuine, they strike—typically when buyers are in a hurry, looking for a good deal on a limited-time offer. The psychological trigger of a "rare find" at a low price clouds judgment, making you less cautious than you normally would be.

Let's break down some common scams on Depop and how you can avoid them.

1. Fake Shipping and Tracking Numbers

One of the most common tactics scammers use is to provide buyers with a fake tracking number. This makes it seem like your item has been shipped, but after days of checking the tracking status with no updates, you realize the truth—nothing was ever sent. Scammers rely on this trick because it buys them time. By the time you realize the item isn’t coming, they’ve already deleted their account.

Tip to Avoid: Always ensure you’re communicating through Depop’s platform. Depop offers buyer protection, but only if you keep your transactions within their system. If a seller insists on communicating or transacting outside the app, it’s a major red flag.

2. Asking for Payments Outside Depop

This scam plays on the seller’s request to use PayPal’s "Friends and Family" option or other external payment methods. By avoiding Depop’s payment system, scammers can evade the platform’s protections. Once they’ve received the money, there’s little recourse for buyers. The Friends and Family option, in particular, offers no protection for buyers, as it’s intended for personal transfers—not business transactions.

Tip to Avoid: Always pay through Depop's payment system. Depop’s buyer protection policy ensures you’re covered if something goes wrong, but it’s only valid if you make the payment within the platform. Sellers who push for alternative payment methods should raise immediate red flags.

3. Bait and Switch

Some scammers are sophisticated enough to send you an item, but it’s not what you ordered. Instead of the vintage jacket you expected, you might receive a low-quality counterfeit or even a completely different item. They rely on the fact that most buyers won’t bother returning an item, especially if international shipping is involved.

Tip to Avoid: Read reviews carefully. A well-reviewed seller is generally safer, but don’t rely solely on the star rating. Check for detailed comments from previous buyers, and be wary of sellers with vague or overly generic reviews.

4. Selling Nonexistent Items

Another common scam is the sale of items that don’t exist. The seller uploads images of an in-demand item, often copied from other legitimate listings or websites. They collect payments from several buyers and disappear once the money is transferred.

Tip to Avoid: Reverse search the images. If a listing looks too good to be true, you can use tools like Google Image Search to see if the photos have been lifted from another site. This is a quick and effective way to catch scammers before they strike.

The Hidden Costs of Getting Scammed

When you get scammed on Depop, it’s not just about the money. There’s a deeper psychological toll that’s often overlooked. Victims often feel embarrassed, angry, and frustrated. This emotional cost can make you less likely to trust others in future transactions—not just on Depop, but on other platforms as well.

A Closer Look at the Numbers

The exact number of scams occurring on Depop isn’t easy to quantify, as many cases go unreported. However, by analyzing complaints on social media and third-party review sites, patterns emerge. In 2023 alone, Depop received a substantial increase in complaints regarding scams, particularly during holiday seasons when online shopping spikes.

Year	Number of Complaints (Estimate)	Top Scams
2020	3,000	Fake Listings, Bait-and-Switch
2021	5,500	Outside Payments, Fake Tracking Numbers
2023	7,200	Nonexistent Items, Payment Scams

These statistics reveal that scams are increasing as Depop grows in popularity. While Depop has taken steps to address these issues by implementing stricter guidelines and promoting buyer awareness, it’s still largely up to the user to stay vigilant.

Depop’s Response: Are They Doing Enough?

Depop’s official stance on scams is clear: they encourage all users to conduct transactions through the app for maximum protection. Their Buyer Protection Policy promises to refund your money if an item doesn’t arrive or isn’t as described. However, the platform's growing user base makes it difficult to monitor every transaction in real-time. As a result, scams can slip through the cracks.

What Depop could improve:

• More stringent seller verification: While Depop has introduced verified badges for some users, expanding this program to more sellers could create an additional layer of trust.
• Improved fraud detection algorithms: Depop’s system should be more proactive in flagging potentially fraudulent accounts based on behavior patterns.

Practical Tips for Staying Safe

Here are five actionable tips to reduce your chances of getting scammed on Depop:

1. Check the Seller’s Reviews: Always scroll through a seller’s review history. If you see consistent complaints about slow shipping or missing items, avoid them.
2. Avoid Deals that Seem Too Good: If the price seems way lower than average, it could be a scam. Legit sellers know the value of their items.
3. Communicate Only Through the App: Never take conversations off Depop, as this voids any protection the platform offers.
4. Use Payment Methods with Protection: Only pay through Depop’s built-in payment system or PayPal goods and services—not "Friends and Family."
5. Report Suspicious Activity Immediately: If something feels off, report the seller to Depop. It helps the platform improve security for everyone.

Conclusion: How to Keep Enjoying Depop Safely

Scams are a reality in any online marketplace, and Depop is no exception. But by being aware of the common tactics used by scammers and taking a few extra precautions, you can still enjoy the thrill of finding unique fashion pieces while keeping your wallet—and your sanity—safe.

Remember, while Depop does have systems in place to protect its users, the best defense is your own awareness and diligence. Stay cautious, shop smart, and if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.