Endless Phone Calls (Aimed At Etsy, Not Me)

[CharlesBabbDesigns]

Somehow, angry customers and sellers from around the world are finding my personal cell/business number online (I have been unable to duplicate this, but have had my number read back to me, so it is happening) and calling trying to speak to Etsy Inc corporate. Etsy help has been unsurprisingly totally unhelpful as they don't actually offer phone support and apparently have no way to affect whatever search results are managing to return my phone number (again, I must reiterate this happens to be used for my personal cell as well as my business line).

[PillowDetails]

If it were just one number, I would guess your number is close to one of the numbers for Etsy support that gets passed around, and people are mis-dialing.  But 2 separate numbers?  I'm flummoxed!

Have you tried just Googling your phone number to see if it's being posted somewhere on social media?

[CappuccinoLace]

"E-mail us at xxxx or call xxxxxxxxxx. Normal business hours are 9a-4p EDT M-F."

I've X'd out the number, but it's in your shop policies.

[CharlesBabbDesigns]

Wouldn't that seem clear enough to be only for my store, though, and not for Etsy as a whole?

[bradgoodell · Accepted solution]

@CharlesBabbDesigns Apparently not.  

Likely it's caught in a Google search loop.  I'd remove it immediately.  If spam bots pull it up, they will then re-sell it to other spammers.  The number of spam calls you could receive if that happens is frightening.  

If you want to have a number, get a free Google Voice one that will screen the bot calls.  

[hopeandjoystudios]

Some think Etsy is one shop..so they may latch onto any number as an Etsy contact. Reasonable obvious and clear to most but unfortunately not all. I'd remove my phone number and only add it as part of a shipping message if you want or have it as a packing slip message. Not available to all comers and the internet at large. Not sure what you can do now if it has somehow been picked up by Google as an "Etsy number". 

[MaynardMillinery]

When I click through to your Facebook page, the first big blue box link is "Call Us". You have your number linked everywhere. 

[hopeandjoystudios]

Either you want your number out there or you don't. If I was going to share it, it would not be a personal phone number.