Hi I’ve gotten a couple shop verification notices with a handshake emoji almost like an offer has been made but I can’t send a message back. I got a QR code but couldn’t get it to work or find it again. Making sales and this is going to stop the momentum if I can’t figure it out.
this is on every message
To stay protected, stay on Etsy. Never follow links to other sites, and don’t share contact, account, or financial info with anyone in Messages. Learn how to spot spam.
the QR code is a link to another site, etsy has probably already realised it is a scam, and blocked it,
if you go to ... learn how to spot spam - the first thing it says, is if the message isn't in the "From Etsy" folder, as well as the inbox, it's not from etsy
so mark it as spam, and ignore
Those are SCAMS. If etsy needed verification you will always see a notice in red ON YOUR DASHBOARD.
And educate yourself about common scams, which have been going on for over a year.
https://help.etsy.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000343128-How-to-Handle-Scams-and-Suspicious-Messages
The following characteristics, or any combination of them, may indicate the message is a scam.
Claiming there was an issue accepting payment for their order and sending you a fake QR code through Messages saying that you need to scan it to confirm their purchase.
Think about it, why would a company send you a handshake emoji to verify any account?
They wouldn't.
Nor would Etsy ever send you a QR code to take you off Etsy.
There is info FROM ETSY right below those scam messages warning you not to provide financial info, go off site, etc.
If anything needs verified on your account it will be on your dashboard/finance page ONLY.
NEVER ever through a message.
https://community.etsy.com/t5/Announcements/New-From-Etsy-section-in-Messages/m-p/143722497
https://www.etsy.com/seller-handbook/article/1087958808206
https://community.etsy.com/t5/Announcements/Protect-Your-Account-From-Scammers/m-p/143158945#M1882
@EclecticVintageCasa: Was the Message in the "From Etsy" section on your Messages page when checking messages using a browser? If not, it is a SCAM.
"... but I can’t send a message back ..." If the error message is something like "User Name is Invalid" usually that message means that the account has been closed (either by the user or by Etsy - the latter is most likely if it was a scammer). Just in case, you should make sure to mark the message as SPAM.