Beware of SCAMMERS! Multiple messages for account verification, account suspension or closure.

[Cuddlebearbunny]

I only open my account yesterday, I received so many messages asking for account verification, threatening account suspension or closure in next 30 mins. They never stop. 

They included links or QR codes asking for bank details and current balance. They attempted to debit $271 from my account, HSBC detected as potential fraud and suspended my credit card. 

None of these messages are legitimate, certainly use browser to check "from etsy" which has got no messages at all. 

This is to raise awareness!

Etsy App should include feature of 'from etsy' on messages too

[weekendjewelry1]

Welcome to Etsy - and thank you for being courteous and knowledgeable, to come to the Forums with this warning message! Please do look around here - you'll see there are a ton of messages about scams, particularly hitting on new shops. But it's never a bad idea to share the warning that scammers are trying to hurt you / us with. 

Thank you! 

[BagmakerSupply]

@Cuddlebearbunny: "Etsy App should include feature of 'from etsy' on messages too" We do not use the app for anything, but it has been reported in this forum that when using the app real messages from Etsy now have a colored blurb of text on the Message, saying "From Etsy".

[ThePurplePuppy]

@BagmakerSupply 

I do not use the app either--even tho it has been downloaded to my phone.

This is very interesting to learn. Thankfully etsy is at the very least trying.

[TimeSpanTreasures]

Etsy App should include feature of 'from etsy' on messages too

Yes, this should be fixed; it would help in the fight against the scammers.

I feel bad, and a bit sad and mad, coming to the forums every day, and reading about all the new sellers being bombarded with these fake messages.

[BagmakerSupply]

@TimeSpanTreasures: "Etsy App should include feature of 'from etsy' on messages too" It has been reported in this forum that when using the app real messages from Etsy now have a colored blurb of text on the Message, saying "From Etsy".

[TimeSpanTreasures]

@BagmakerSupply 

It has been reported in this forum that when using the app real messages from Etsy now have a colored blurb of text on the Message, saying "From Etsy".

I hadn't read that. That would certainly an improvement.

[HyperSquirrelDesign]

I started responding to those with

"Thanks for your interest in my shop! You should receive a discount code if you favorite any items. I hope you can find something you like! Even if you don't, I hope you have a great day!" then signed it, and stopped getting those scammy messages. Now I just get messages from people wanting to help market my shop, but that's dropping in frequency too. I just want to tell those people, the best way to help increase my sales is just to buy something!! But I'm too polite.

[GalleryAntiques]

Be careful. Etsy can limit your ability to reply to genuine messages if you send too many that look like they are a copy-and-paste job

[FeltOnTheFly]

Why not just put those messages in spam?  Seriously, it's a really bad idea to engage.  

[ThePurplePuppy]

@GalleryAntiques 

That is sort of scary. Years ago they gave us "snippets" just so we could do that very thing.

And what scares me is I just sent 4 snippets for 4 new orders I got up to this  AM.

And for those who say you should not send those as Etsy sends one--Etsy does not ask for clairification of measurements.

I have to send those as I almost ALWAYS need clarification--thus the "snippet".

[GalleryAntiques]

@ThePurplePuppy  I hear ya, I also use snippets, but I haven't over the last few weeks when I received orders, as I did not want to fall foul of sending too repetitive messages.

[FeltOnTheFly]

@Cuddlebearbunny .... Take some time to read Etsy's Terms of Use/ Policies.  Make sure you understand what can be sold here according to Etsy's rules.  If you haven't made it personally, or at least designed it, you might want to find another site like Ebay.  

[fifthcorps]

Neither handmade, vintage nor craft supplies, thus wining the Trifecta of reportable shop for violating Etsy's rules!!! 

[ChillwolfArt]

@Cuddlebearbunny  Hi, Welcome to Etsy. And I'm very sorry you have been bombarded with idiot scammers. There has been an infestation of them, hitting new Sellers as well as seasoned ones.  QR Codes is one of the scams.  "Verification" is another, as well as posing as Etsy Staff/Support, etc.   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. 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...

Hope this is helpful to you.

ETA: You said they attempted to debit $271.00 from your account. If you gave any banking information, contact your bank and put a stop on your card. Also, you'll want to run virus scans on all of your devices, as well as change your passwords. 

[MagicFingertipsShop]

Thank you very much for all this information!I am also opened new shop week ago, and received message from Support, about,buyer wants to buy the product,and they needed e-mail and bank account number. They actually took from account 109€ and returned it in 5 min.I really was thinking, that its message from Etsy.For the next day, I recieved another message, to pass through the verification, and that time, I realized, that its scam message. I put this one in the spam folder. And now, after I read all of this information here,I will check my device with antivirus and will change my password. Thank you very much Etsy Community!