Etsy Chat Reps Verifying Identity Now

[PrevntProducts]

Hi all

Just today, was reaching out about a couple of bugs to chat. They are now asking for me to verify my info even when I am logged in. Is anyone else being asked for this info?

They are now requesting the following the even help you in chat:

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[audreytherese]

Yes, there have been plenty of posts that they've been doing this for a while. 

[PrevntProducts]

Hi @audreytherese could you please link a thread referencing this update? Thanks in advance

[audreytherese]

No. We are not mods, we are just other sellers like you. All I'm saying is that's what I've seen other sellers post in here, so it appears to be legit. 

[audreytherese]

As long as it's being done through the Etsy chat, you know you are chatting with Etsy. 

Just because you are logged into your account doesn't mean you are not a hacker that has gained access. So my guess is that it is to avoid someone that has hacked into your account being able to pretend they are you and getting further. 

[Spellbinderie]

@audreytherese 

Thing is, if someone has access to your account, everything that the support agent asks for is actually visually available in the account so I'm a little like ???
But maybe I'm not understanding something about how it all works!

[audreytherese]

I thought a lot of that information was xxx'd out? I haven't had to chat with support or actually gone to check, but as an example, I know many sites will ask for your email, but in your account all you'll see is 'Axxxxxx@emailservice.com'. I did make an assumption the kind of information they are asking for is not shown in your account, but hidden this way so a hacker wouldn't actually be able to see it, you have to know what's hidden. But I could be wrong!

[Spellbinderie]

@audreytherese 

They ask for the info that isn't xxxx'd out

Like last 4 digits of your bank account number. That info is available to anyone logged into the account.

How many drafts you have at the moment.  Anyone logged in can see that.

Your current balance.  Again just need to log in to see it.

Everything I was asked was accessible to anyone logged in, there wasn't any question asking for the hidden info behind the XXXX!  So if your account is hacked, doesn't that mean that the hacker has access to that viewable info?

[LastCentury]

@audreytherese they asked me to confirm  my email & the last 4 digits of my bank account. This is info visible in anyone's account page for anyone wanting to hack their account & impersonate them min order to get the aMAYzing service at chat & phone... I told the person at the other end that that security measure was flawed.

[audreytherese]

I don't know why I thought they would do anything that follows common sense. 

[Spellbinderie]

Yes, I had the same happen a couple of months ago.  

[PrevntProducts]

To the mods, thank you for pointing out that rule. Will adhere in the future. Thanks

[Adorabilities]

@PrevntProducts 
There are no mods here -- just other sellers who are telling you what they have experienced, or what they have seen others post.

[Spellbinderie]

@Adorabilities 

The OP is referring to the mod that removed a part of the OP's post and pointed out the rule that applies to not sharing  Etsy messages here.

[Adorabilities]

@Spellbinderie 
Ah, got it.

[moonbeamgifts]

So is Costco if you use the self check out lane now.     They could care less what card you flash to get in the door but if you want to check your own items out, the line runner wants to see your photo ID and card.   

The bad apples have caused everyone to crack down.     If the economy/world gets worse, these issues are going to continue to escalate.

[RusticPeonyStudio]

They've supposedly been 'reidentifying' my identity for 2 weeks now.  Etsy's own page/information says 48 hours.  They are holding all of my payments as well.  when you contact Etsy they say if 'might take a while'.  RIDICULOUS way to not only run a business but treat your sellers.

[SugarTaffySoap · Accepted solution]

@PrevntProducts  Part of your post was deleted so I don't know what was in your post, but I think it depends on who you chat with. I used to get asked for my email but that hasn't happened recently. In the past I was asked for other info. as well. 

[PrevntProducts]

*** edit

[PrevntProducts]

Posts edited to avoid referencing any communications w/ Etsy chat reps. Thanks

[Spellbinderie]

@PrevntProducts 

You can paraphrase what Etsy chat reps said, you just can't copy/paste the communication word for word or say anything identifying like their name.

I hope you have been able to get assistance.

[SimplyInvitingLLC]

They should be verifying sellers. Especially with all the scams going on now. And they're only asking for the last 4 digits of certain items, they cannot do anything with that information that would compromise you.

[Spellbinderie]

@SimplyInvitingLLC 

I agree they need to verify id due to the security risks here.

The problem is that the information they ask for is visible to anyone logged into the account.  Meaning if your shop is hacked, the hacker can simply go to your financial page and see the last 4 digits etc and provide that information to Etsy support.  The only thing being verified in other words is that the person has access to the account rather than the person is authorized to have that access.

There needs to be better verification as that old style is no longer enough.  Maybe something like a code sent to a back-up email addresses kept on file.  Or some other way, I don't know as I'm certainly not an expert but with all the scams & issues on the site, security needs to take a big step up.

[ModJose · Accepted solution]

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