Is StockX a Scam?

If you’re thinking of using StockX, you need to know: Is StockX a scam? 

Below, we explain whether StockX is a scam and discuss some steps you can take to improve your safety when using this platform. 

What Is StockX?

StockX is an online marketplace where users can buy clothing, mainly sneakers. However, it also features streetwear, trading cards, electronics, and collectibles. 

All items listed on StockX are shipped to the company first to verify authenticity (unless they come from a verified seller). StockX ships items to buyers. 

StockX sellers have an “Ask” price, and buyers “Bid” for items. A sale happens when buyer and seller prices match. Bids are binding. Failure to pay can result in fees and potential account suspension.

Users can see items’ price history, trends, and current market values. 

Is StockX a Scam?

No, StockX is not a scam. It’s a legitimate platform for buying and selling items like sneakers, trading cards, and electronics.

User reviews of StockX are mixed:

• 4.3 out of 5.0 stars (from 202,425 reviews) on Trustpilot.
• 1.8 out of 5.0 stars (from 361 reviews) on REVIEWS.IO.
• 2.4 out of 5.0 stars (from 2,459 reviews) on Sitejabber.
• 1.6 out of 5.0 stars (from 2,528 reviews) on Pissed Consumer.
• 2.3 out of 5.0 stars (from 3931 reviews) on Trustindex.    

Most complaints are about authenticity and quality, inability to return items that don’t fit, and poor customer support. 

Reviews on online forums like Reddit are also mixed.

Many users say they’ve bought and sold sneakers on StockX and never had an issue with authenticity. 

However, some people say the sneakers sold on StockX often have defects. 

A number of users also say they bought fake sneakers on StockX and that StockX was not helpful. 

In 2022, Nike filed a lawsuit against StockX. The lawsuit started with Nike saying StockX was using Nike trademarks for its NFTs and later expanded to include concerns about the authenticity of items sold on the platform.

The judge determined that StockX is responsible for selling a number of fake Nike sneakers through its platform.

In its terms of service, StockX says that services are “as is” and that StockX is not liable for item quality or buyer/seller conduct. 

Security

In its privacy policy, StockX has a small section on its security. 

It says it stores all information you share on its secure servers. It also says they “implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect it” but does not detail what these measures are. 

StockX does not collect or store your payment information or personal information you provide to its identity verification service providers.

It notes that the personal information you share with third parties is subject to their privacy policies and terms of service.

In 2019, StockX experienced a data breach that compromised the personal information of nearly 7 million users, including their names, email addresses, purchase histories, addresses, usernames, and hashed passwords. Worryingly, StockX did not immediately put out a statement about the breach. 

Privacy

StockX details the kind of data it collects, why, and with whom it shares it in its privacy policy.

It collects personal information:

• Directly from you, including your name, email, shipping info, payment details (via third-party), government IDs, etc
• Automatically, including device/browser info, IP address, browsing behavior, cookies, and advertising interactions.
• From third parties, including social media logins. 

StockX may also collect biometric data (facial scans) for identity verification via a third party (e.g., Persona).

The platform will seek your consent first and not store or use the biometric data beyond verification purposes.

The platform uses this information to provide its services, improve its platform, verify your identity, prevent fraud, process transactions and deliveries, perform marketing, show targeted ads, fulfill legal obligations, and conduct internal operations. 

It may share your data with the StockX group, service providers (e.g., shipping, ID verification), other third parties (e.g., advertising partners, business partners), government agencies (if legally required), and in mergers and acquisitions, or at your request. 

StockX says it will retain your personal information as long as necessary for business/legal purposes, without going into specifics. After the retention period is over, StockX will either delete your data or keep it in a form that doesn’t identify you. 

Depending on where you live, you may have the right to:

• Access, correct, or delete your data.
• Restrict or object to processing.
• Opt out of targeted ads or data sharing.
• Appeal decisions or file complaints.

StockX says it makes an effort to honor requests for access/portability, deletion, and correction from all StockX users, regardless of where they reside. 

So, Should You Use StockX?

Depends.

It can be a good platform for buying and selling sneakers and other items, but as with any platform, there is a possibility of fakes. 

How to Use StockX Safely and Privately

• Secure your account. By creating a strong, unique password (don’t reuse it elsewhere) and turning on two-factor authentication. 
• Be wary of scams. Don’t click on links in unsolicited messages/emails, and always access StockX through its official site. 
• Use secure payment methods. Always pay for items through StockX (which uses third-party processors). Never send money to the seller directly. 
• Check items. Check item details before purchasing. As a buyer, you may not be able to get a refund. As a seller, selling items that do not match product specs and images could get you banned. 
• Track your order. Use the tracking number given to you by StockX to track your order. 
• Use a private address. In the past, StockX users’ information, including their addresses, was leaked in a data breach. Consider using a PO box if you’re a buyer or a business address if you’re a high-volume seller. 
• Use a separate email address. Create an email address specifically for online shopping to keep your primary inbox free of spam and avoid your email being exposed in a data breach (which has happened in the past). 
• Use a virtual card number. This can add an extra layer of payment security. 
• Opt out of marketing. You can opt out of receiving marketing emails from StockX through your StockX Account Settings or by clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any of StockX emails. To unsubscribe from StockX promotional text messages, respond to one of them with “STOP.” 
• Practice your privacy rights. StockX says it will make an effort to honor certain privacy requests (access/portability, deletion, and correction) from all StockX users, regardless of where they reside. You can exercise your rights by submitting a form through the StockX Trust Center portal.