My shop was placed on vacation mode without my consent

[strawberrycouture]

Today my shop was placed on vacation mode. My shop items cannot be found in listings nor can I receive orders. This is upsetting. I uploaded my driver's license as part of my documents that they wanted uploaded to verify that I am a seller or a real person. Has this happened to anyone else?

I received this message. 

It looks like we need more time to verify your identity using the info you shared, so we’ve placed your shop in temporary Vacation Mode. This means you can’t receive orders from buyers right now, and your listings won’t appear in search results on Etsy until your identity is verified.

As a reminder, identity and fraud-prevention checks help us protect the integrity of our marketplace and comply with laws.

We may reach out for more info within 1-3 days, so keep an eye on your email.

You can check your verification status on the Legal & tax page in your Shop Manager.

[CraftyCornishMaids]

the end of January is the deadline for many countries to have tax info sent to them, 

and many countries have changed their requirements for this January, for the USA, it's the inform act kicking in.

If etsy can't get all the matching, verified, info together from the sellers details, for the new reporting requirements, then they are putting shops on vacation

Has this happened to anyone else?

.... yes, there are quite a few reports here

USA, UK and Canada being most prevalent - they have all had big changes for end January reporting

[DaysofYoreTreasures]

@CraftyCornishMaids 

I have noticed an uptick in reports from sellers in Japan and India over the last couple of days.

The Inform Act applies to high-volume sellers who sell to customers in the United States.

The act defines a “high-volume third party seller” as a seller in an online marketplace that doesn’t operate the online marketplace and that, in any continuous 12-month period during the past 24 months, has had 200 or more separate sales or transactions of new or unused consumer products, and $5,000 or more in gross revenues. 

[DaysofYoreTreasures]

Had you received an Etsy request in the recent past to confirm your seller info, or was this your first notification?
I ask because the email you received is worded as such:
It looks like we need more time to verify your identity using the info you shared, so we’ve placed your shop in temporary Vacation Mode. This means you can’t receive orders from buyers right now, and your listings won’t appear in search results on Etsy until your identity is verified.

[OmasFabricStash]

Just want to add that when you sign up for Etsy you gave them permission to do almost anything they want. They don’t need your consent now, 

[LoveMakingHats]

Oh my goodness, I just want to say I am sorry this has happened to you. I remember you and your shop from years and years and years ago. So unique. I hope this gets straightened out for you very very soon. Best wishes.

[ModKenneth · Accepted solution]

Hello! We're sorry to hear you're experiencing issues with your shop. We've forwarded your concerns to a specialist team. Thank you! 

Please know we handle support inquiries privately per our Community Policy – we’re closing this thread, so you can get the support you need from us directly.