Concern About Spam Messages for New Etsy Sellers

[ValeryAccessory]

Hello,

I have opened my third store, and it has been an interesting experience. I've already received five different spam messages claiming that my item has been sold. This is really disturbing.

ETSY's bot should at least eliminate these kinds of messages that include keywords like "ITEM Sold," "Congratulations," and "Order ID." at the same time may be.... If scanning for such messages is too CPU-intensive, maybe it could use other filters.

While experienced sellers can recognize these scams, new sellers opening their first stores might fall for them and respond. By the way, "Request for Better Spam Filters on Etsy" might be a more suitable subject for this issue.

Best regards

[ButterflyFeetDigital]

Until Etsy can make it better, new shop owners should read and learn and beware. 

Scammers tend to target new shops.
Things to read:

https://community.etsy.com/t5/Announcements/Protect-Your-Account-From-Scammers/m-p/143158945#M1882

https://community.etsy.com/t5/Managing-Your-Shop/How-to-Spot-a-Scam-No-a-Buyer-Doesn-t-Need-Your-Ema...

https://community.etsy.com/t5/Announcements/New-From-Etsy-section-in-Messages/m-p/143722497#M1899

https://help.etsy.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000343128-How-to-Handle-Spam-and-Suspicious-Messages

[GoldenYetiProvisions]

Just opened my shop and immediately receieved a message from an external source claiming to be an Etsy rep and asking me to re-enter my credi card info. Seems fishy! 

[ValeryAccessory]

@ButterflyFeetDigital 

You are right. For new stores, Etsy should also provide information about spam messages, especially those claiming that products have been sold. These messages can be deceiving and may make a seller excited, particularly if it’s their first time. There should be a quick guide or warning about such scams, which I believe would help solve the problem. Ultimately, it’s Etsy’s choice to implement this.

There is already a "Quick Guide to Getting Your First Sale" on the Dashboard for new stores. Etsy could also add a guide specifically for avoiding spam messages. 

[PieceByNumberQuilts]

Yes, I agree Etsy could do more to alert new sellers they’re likely to be targeted. All my other financial-related accounts regularly send out email and display on-screen reminders to be vigilant about potential fraud.  I don’t know why Etsy can’t.

[CraftyCornishMaids]

etsy has this, on 

every single message

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.

[LateCenturyArcadian]

There's only so much they can do really. I've gotten quite a few of them since opening a few weeks ago, but there's a big banner that warns you what's up, and whether or not you accept the message. I can only assume at this point that the people getting caught are either having an 'off-duty' moment, or just aren't reading.

[CraftyCornishMaids]

etsy does shut down the spammers,

 but they just start up again, and they change their wording enough not to be caught

etsy says under every message

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.

so just do what they say, mark them as spam, and you will soon be left alone

[ModKenneth · Accepted solution]

Hello,

Etsy is actively engaged in preventing scammers from targeting our community members. If you receive a suspicious message, please proceed with caution. Etsy Support will never ask you to provide personal information via Etsy Messages, such as your email address or password. Any legitimate message from us will show in your "From Etsy" folder.

If you receive a suspicious message, here’s how to report it:

1. Sign in to Etsy.com and go to Your Account.
2. Go to Messages. 
3. Select the suspicious message from your inbox. 
4. Choose Mark as Spam.

You’ll find examples of common scammer techniques and phishing messages here in our Help Center. Read our Account Security Checklist in the Seller Handbook for more steps you can take to protect your account.

[StandMods]

How do I report messages that are sent by e-mail?

[GruneHartPrints]

Just opened my store today and within the last 3 hours alone I've received 8 spam/scam messages! It's really horrible

[StandMods]

Same here! I even got a scam message via email. How is my e-mail leaked to these scammers in less then 3 hours?!