Not sure if a message is legit from a potential customer

[TheBackyardBear]

I got a message and clicked on it.  It was a reasonable question about what I was selling.  At the bottom there is a note from etsy saying that unless it has the Etsy tag in the subject line (orange tag) then it could possibly be a scam from a customer.  First of all there is no subject line, just a question from the potential customer.  No Etsy orange symbol. I'm confused and how can I tell this is not a scam?

[ButterflyFeetDigital]

It may be legitimately from a potential buyer. 

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

[PrairieCrocusStudio]

That warning is about when someone falsely claims to be Etsy Support or Etsy Staff, etc.
Normal messages from customers won't have an Etsy symbol. If they're just asking questions about your items, it is okay to answer them.
If they start asking for your email or financial information, mark those as spam. 

[PristinityJewelry]

Did it come 1hrough Etsy's messages (system), or straight to your own email address?

[ButterflyFeetDigital]

You have a nice shop, been here a while. I would go with your gut - just remember to proceed with caution. No QR codes, Etsy already has your email and financial info, all that stuff.

[BuckslideVintage]

Thanks everyone.  What made me wonder is that Etsy says, it could be a potential scam from a customer and if it has Etsy in orange tag on it then it won't be.  Maybe I just overthinked the whole Etsy question.  I did accept the message and responded to the customer.  I wish Etsy had said.  "If the message comes from Etsy itself then check for the tag.  If it's from a potential customer be aware".  It just sounded like it was either/or.  Anyways thank you for your response.

[tratgirl55]

Yes, that’s happened to me twice in the last month. 
the first one was from a store and put into spam.  2nd I didn’t answer put into spam and they checked out with order.  Very confusing on that alert.

[CryzalisDesigns]

I believe this warning is on every message now that comes in via your messenger in your dashboard. 

Personally I think it is better late than never and have certainly noticed the drop in "I have been scammed" posts.

Just be aware never to provide and personal or financial information.

Do not click on links or scan QR codes if requested. Some scammers will send you a picture of one of your listings for you to click on, even if from a genuine customer asking about this listing, do not click on it. You can see which one they are talking about.

[tratgirl55]

There were also no badges.  My daughter reviewed also and was equally confused. 
no badges.

[BootifulLabels]

I think the wording of the Etsy warning could be improved on.  What they mean to say is that you should be wary if you receive a message claiming to be from Etsy or that looks like it might be from Etsy.  Etsy created a new folder in the category list at left of the message window, labelled FROM ETSY.  If a message claims to be from Etsy or uses an orange Etsy logo in the header, you should click the FROM ETSY folder at the left and look to see if the message is duplicated in that folder.  If there is no copy of that message in the FROM ETSY folder, it is NOT from Etsy and is likely a scam.  Send it to the spam folder.

Genuine buyer messages will not have any orange Etsy logos in them.  If the message is asking about a particular listing, it is safe to answer the message, but never agree to take a conversation, transaction or payment off Etsy  and never give buyers or prospective buyers any personal or financial information.

Buyers will receive all the information they need to make a purchase in your listings and at checkout, they don't need you to provide them with more, nor do they need you to "verify" your account to finalise a purchase.

[ACertainFeel]

Last two messages I got from potential buyers I was asked to accept the message. It is odd how Etsy ignored this scammer problem forever but is now acting like everything is a scam. My messages were normal questions, totally legit. You will know the difference. 

[CraftyCornishMaids]

etsy asks you to accept the message or spam it.

If it claims to be from actually etsy admin, or etsy support, it should have the badges, and also be in the "from Etsy" folder
If the claims are there, but it's not in the "from etsy" folder too, spam it

If it is from a potential buyer, it won't have the badges or be on the from etsy folder.
you have to read it, and make up your own mind - if it asks you to click on links, or give financial info, spam it.

[Crabbecafe]

Can I read the message without getting scammed?  I am afraid to open it for fear it will open up a scam and my info will be hacked.  I am still added items to my shop.  I recvd a message that my shop was temp blocked.  It just seems like it's not from a buyer.  Is opening the message safe?

[Crabbecafe]

still in the process of adding items to my store.  Afraid to click to open message

[UppNorthEh]

you can read it without opening it.  you can mark it as spam without opening the message too.  you are not "blocked."

[Crabbecafe]

Thank you!

[8mjtfusd]

Hi all

New shop just opened and starting to put my items in. I have received 8 messages all saying they are from potential buyers and that they have bought an item, tho can't see which one!!!! They come in pairs and have same sales order number. I might as well go back to Facebook if this is how ETSY works. I don't get that many scams with them.

Any advice for a newbie, I don't know what a real sale message would look like.

Many thanks Christy 

[PristinityJewelry]

@8mjtfusd 

"...I might as well go back to Facebook if this is how ETSY works...."

Etsy has nothing nothing to do with it.  And for what it's worth, I've had several scam messages the last few weeks on Facebook, scammers threatening to shut down my page for my "brick & mortar", if I don't do "this or that", phishing for account info.

I recall maybe only one scammer contacting me, quite some time ago, here on Etsy.  Reality is, they (scammers) target new sellers, thinking they are more naive and inexperienced, and may be more susceptible to there wiley ways.

It's been an ongoing problem on Etsy and other selling sites, the last 6-12 months in particular.  Not much Etsy can do about it, although they have made a few changes, and advice, that have helped sellers indentify email scams.

[PristinityJewelry]

"...I might as well go back to Facebook if this is how ETSY works...."

Etsy has nothing nothing to do with it.  And for what it's worth, I've had several scam messages the last few weeks on Facebook, scammers threatening to shut down my page for my "brick & mortar", if I don't do "this or that", phishing for account info.

I recall maybe only one scammer contacting me, quite some time ago, here on Etsy.  Reality is, they (scammers) target new sellers, thinking they are more naive and inexperienced, and may be more susceptible to there wiley ways.

It's been an ongoing problem on Etsy and other selling sites, the last 6-12 months in particular.  Not much Etsy can do about it, although they have made a few changes, and advice, that have helped sellers indentify email scams.

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