Do you get orders via messages - shouldn't they immediately appear in the Orders section?

[MajkenCrochet]

I'm a new shop owner and just received a message from a potential buyer - but I guess it's a scam? If someone puts an order on ETSY shouldn't it appear in the "Orders" section right away???

[CryzalisMasksUK]

No it is a scam, there is a report button, click this in the messages.

Do not reply or give them any information.

Any orders will appear in the order section only

Etsy will never ask your for any personal, financial information in the message section, they will also never ask you to verify anything in the message section.

[Amaradorn]

Order confirmation notifications are not sent via messages - that would be a scam. Always check your Orders page and if unsure also check your payment account.

Genuine messages from Etsy will appear in the 'From Etsy' folder on the message page. All other messages are from other Etsy users (buyers, other sellers or scammers)

[MajkenCrochet · Accepted solution]

I'm immensely grateful for your fast answer, as a new seller and very ignorant I could have fallen for this scam. Opened my shop like two days ago, and have yet received four more messages via my private mail... but no real orders.

[ExtremeCreation · Accepted solution]

Be sure to make it as spam so that it will not affect your message rating if you do not respond to it or similar message like that. 

If a "potential buyer" has any issues with making a purchase, there is nothing you as the seller can do. They would need to contact Etsy support for any "purchasing or payment issues." If they had a issue with an order, then the order would be listed on your order section. 

Also, be careful of messages that are not from your "From Etsy" folder asking you to verify your information or asking for your email address or taking an order outside of Etsy. Those are scams.