The Most Common Designer Clothing Frauds on Folksy to Avoid in 2026

Navigating the Risks: Common Frauds in Designer Clothing Sales on Folksy (2026)

The allure of unique designer pieces on Folksy can unfortunately attract fraudulent activity. Understanding these common scams is the first step in safeguarding your transactions and ensuring a secure buying or selling experience.

Resell of Mass-Produced Goods

Be wary of listings that appear to be designer clothing but are actually mass-produced items being misrepresented. Scammers may use high-quality stolen artisan photography to make these items seem authentic and unique. Always scrutinize the seller's profile and reviews for any inconsistencies. If a deal seems too good to be true for a high-end designer piece, it likely is.

Off-Platform PayPal Invoicing and Payment Scams

A common tactic involves sellers or buyers attempting to move the transaction off the Folksy platform, often by requesting payment via PayPal invoicing or other external methods. This bypasses Folksy's safety measures, leaving you vulnerable. Scammers may send fake payment confirmations or create convincing, but fraudulent, invoices to trick you into sending money or revealing sensitive financial details.

Overpayment Check Fraud

This scam involves a buyer sending a counterfeit check for an amount greater than the agreed-upon price. They will then ask you to return the difference, often through a method that is difficult to trace. The initial check will eventually bounce, leaving you responsible for the full amount and out the money you sent to the scammer. This is particularly prevalent when dealing with high-value designer items.

Stolen Artisan Photography

Scammers may use high-quality images of designer clothing that they do not own or have permission to use. These images are often stolen from legitimate sellers or brand websites. This tactic is used to create deceptive listings for counterfeit or non-existent items, making it difficult to discern the authenticity of the product.

The 'Influencer' Collaboration Trap

Be cautious of individuals posing as influencers or brand representatives who propose collaborations or offer enticing gifts in exchange for media coverage or product promotion. These can be phishing attempts designed to glean personal information or to lure you into fraudulent schemes. Scammers may create fake email addresses and use sloppy graphics to appear legitimate.

Safe Trade Services Recommendation

For high-value designer clothing transactions exceeding $500, we strongly recommend utilizing the **Premium Plan** from Safe Trade Services for enhanced identity verification and secure P2P transactions. For items below $500, the **Basic Plan** still offers crucial identity verification to add an extra layer of security.