Scam!? o(╥﹏╥)o Received message in Inbox named "Official Specialist"

[WeyohDesign]

OMG, you won't believe what just happened! So, I got this super sketchy message from someone, but it didn't go to my "From Etsy" folder. They were all like, "Your account will be suspended if you don't act in 2 hours!"

And guess what? I totally fell for it! I panicked and scanned the QR code on my phone. It took me to a page that looked exactly like Etsy, and it asked for all my bank card details – card number, expiry date, CVV. Then, it asked for my account balance (which was a major red flag, right?). Finally, it told me to hit this shady black bar called "Proceed to verification."

But here's the kicker: the page kept loading forever! That's when I realized it was a scam. The web address was [This content was removed by Moderation -  Please do not post potentially Unsafe Links] Talk about heart-pounding drama!

And get this: I accidentally entered my credit card details instead of my bank card details. Yep, my little mix-up actually saved me from getting cleaned out! It just goes to show, you've gotta stay sharp with these online scams. They're getting sneakier by the day!

So, below is the message from someone with an orange Etsy logo profile picture and named "Official Specialist". But here's the kicker: I don't even have an order from this customer!

*************************************************************************************************************************************************************

Congratulations!
Your order was purchased by a customer named [This content has been removed by Moderation. We ask that you please review Section 1, Item 2 of our Community Policies before posting in the Forums.]
Our security protocols have flagged unusual activity associated with your account, requiring us to verify your ownership of the store.
To confirm your ownership, please scan the QR code provided below. Simply point your smartphone camera at the QR code and follow the verification prompts.
As online fraud continues to rise, it's essential to verify your store promptly.
Failure to verify within 2 hours will result in account suspension

[Poomahdesign]

Ik ben pas sinds deze week etsy seller. Ik krijg dit soort scam voortdurend in mijn inbox, bijna om het uur!! Ik ben bang dat ik daardoor niet kan overzien welk bericht werkelijk van een geïnteresseerde klant komt. Heeft iemand tips hiervoor??

[bradgoodell · Accepted solution]

Rules to keep you safe:

1. Do not take the conversation off Etsy.  No email, text, SMS, phone call, WhatsApp, Instagram messages.  Keep the conversation ON ETSY.
2. Do not click on links or scan QR codes in messages.
3. Any message from Etsy will be in the "From Etsy" section of your message folder.

How to know if you have a real sale:

1. The sale will show on your shop dashboard.  No sale on your dashboard means you don't have a sale.
2. If Etsy ever needs you to confirm or verify something, Etsy will put that information on your shop dashboard.

[bradgoodell]

SCAM!!!!

[TheHomespunLoft · Accepted solution]

@WeyohDesign 

Still Call your bank-- the 800 number on your card-- you can't be too careful.. report the fraud attempt and get a new card issued ASAP... Mark that message as SPAM 

[WeyohDesign]

Thank you for your advice, I will do that. ❀

[TheVintagePineapple]

@WeyohDesign Remove the name and address from your post asap.  The name may be fake, but the address is a real address of a drive-thru place.

[nineteen27]

and...

you ignored this from etsy?

it is permanently placed below every message you receive.

and above the reply button.

"To stay protected, stay on Etsy. Never follow links to other sites, and don’t share contact, account, or financial info with anyone in Messages. Learn how to spot spam."

[ChillwolfArt]

@WeyohDesign  @Poomahdesign  

I'm sorry you both were targeted.  Scammers have been hitting new Sellers as well as seasoned ones.  "Verification" is a popular scam, as well as posing as Etsy Staff/Support, etc.   Scanning of QR Codes is another. When you receive a LEGIT Message from Etsy Support/Staff, etc., it will appear in the "From Etsy" Folder (in Messages). If it isn't there, Mark the Message as Spam (so you don't get dinged for S Seller).  *"From Etsy" Folder was not on the App until recently (a highlighted blurb on the Message). The thing is, should you not see this first (and be familiar with it), you could receive a scammer's Message beforehand. Also, the App does not allow you to Mark the Message as Spam (you must use a browser instead, or use the Buyer App).

Also for future, many scammers are posing as "Buyers", stating they need your email for an Order. They don't, Etsy already has it. When you receive a LEGIT Order, it will appear in "Orders & Shipping" (Left Column of Shop Dashboard); if it isn't there, you have no Order.  Mark the scammer's Message as Spam (so you don't get dinged for S Seller).  And never click on links or engage with them.

Etsy should be able to nail these FAKE accounts who are impersonating Etsy Staff/Support, etc. It's happening way too often. For a while now, Sellers have been reporting that legitimate Buyer Messages are being put in "Spam" by Etsy (obviously a glitch to combat the scamming problem). Here is the Announcement about the "From Etsy" Folder (currently this is in past Announcements).
https://community.etsy.com/t5/Announcements/New-From-Etsy-section-in-Messages/m-p/143722497#M1899

Here is the other Announcement, "Protect Your Account With These Security Tips" (it is now in past Announcements).
https://community.etsy.com/t5/Announcements/Protect-Your-Account-With-These-Security-Tips/m-p/143158...

WeyohDesign, please report this to the authorities; you are the victim of a cyber crime.
I also have a question for you. You said this Message had an Etsy Logo Profile Picture with it. Was the photo of a known Etsy Admin? (as opposed to a person you didn't recognize). I'm asking for a specific reason.

Hope this is helpful to you, and may this garbage cease for you and for others.

[RustyCrustyRepurpose]

It's just so sad that there are those who prey on others like this.