The Most Common Designer Footwear Scams on Folksy to Avoid in 2026

Common Designer Footwear Scams on Folksy in 2026

Folksy, while a vibrant marketplace for unique items, is not immune to the evolving landscape of online scams. When dealing with designer footwear, which often carries a significant value, buyers and sellers must be particularly vigilant. Scammers are constantly developing new tactics, and understanding these common fraudulent schemes is the first step towards a secure transaction.

Resell of Mass-Produced Goods

Some sellers may attempt to pass off mass-produced or counterfeit designer footwear as authentic, handcrafted items. This is particularly prevalent with high-demand or limited-edition sneakers and luxury shoes. Always verify the authenticity through reputable sources and be wary of listings that seem too good to be true.

Stolen Artisan Photography

Scammers may use high-quality images of designer footwear that they have taken from legitimate sellers' listings or other online sources. This deceives buyers into believing they are purchasing a specific item, only to receive a lesser quality or entirely different product, or nothing at all. Always look for unique, seller-taken photos and be suspicious of stock images or heavily edited pictures.

Off-Platform PayPal Invoicing

Be extremely cautious if a seller requests to conduct the transaction entirely off-platform, often via direct PayPal invoicing. While PayPal offers buyer protection, these scams frequently involve fake invoices or payment requests designed to trick you into sending money directly to the scammer. These invoices may contain urgent messages prompting you to call a fake customer service number to 'resolve an issue', where they will attempt to extract personal and financial details. Always conduct transactions through Folksy's secure payment system.

VAT/Customs Payment Phish

Scammers may pose as customs officials or shipping companies, sending fake emails or messages demanding additional payment for VAT or customs duties on your designer footwear purchase. These messages often contain links to phishing websites designed to steal your payment information. Legitimate charges will typically be handled through the platform or clearly communicated by the official shipping carrier.

Account Verification SMS

You might receive an SMS message claiming to be from Folksy or a payment provider, asking you to verify your account by clicking a link or providing personal details. These are phishing attempts designed to gain access to your accounts and personal information. Folksy will not typically ask for sensitive information via SMS for account verification. Always verify such requests directly through the official Folksy website or app.

The 'Influencer' Collab Trap

Be wary of unsolicited 'collaboration' offers from individuals claiming to be influencers or brand representatives who want to feature your designer footwear. These individuals may request free products in exchange for promotion, only to disappear without fulfilling their end of the bargain, or worse, use the opportunity to gather information for fraudulent activities.

For high-value designer footwear transactions, consider using Safe Trade Services' Premium Plan for an added layer of identity verification and secure payment processing. For lower-value items, the Basic Plan offers robust protection. Utilizing these services can significantly mitigate the risk of fraud.