Spam

[CrestBlanco]

I'm brand new to Etsy and I received the following message 3x already in less than a week. Looks sus. Is this the norm for us newbies?

"The buyer had an error when placing the order. Please reply to this message for more information. For example: Hello. With much love! We hope for a speedy reply!"

It's not from Etsy. It's coming directly from a profile with no pic. Looks like phishing. 

[VintageRescueSquad · Accepted solution]

Yes, they are all scams. They prey on new shops hoping you won't know how etsy works or be so eager to get a sale you'll fall for it.

Stay strong!

[ThePurplePuppy · Accepted solution]

It's a scam to get your financial info. When in doubt check here in the forum--there are a lot of variations of this hitting mostly new sellers.  Anything official from etsy will be in your "from Etsy" folder in your shop manager.

[Natalya1905]

"I'm brand new to Etsy" -- You have a new AND unfinished shop, so an easy target for all kinds of scammers. 

Don't reply. Don't click on any links. Mark as spam as soon as you get a message like this. It is highly unlikely a new and unfinished shop gets numerous messages from real customers. 

Finish your shop. Add location, announcement, at least one section. Fill About page, Public profile and shop policies. Add shop members. Make your shop look professional. 

Also, be super cautious about emails pretending to be from Etsy. Scammers get reeeeally creative. Check your Dashboard for all important things: orders, messages and other information. 

Also, be sure to read this (re: your expensive item): https://www.etsy.com/legal/policy/purchase-protection-program-for-sellers/34509585385 

Good luck!

[Natalya1905]

@CrestBlanco  P.S. For your expensive dinnerware set, be sure to read this: https://www.etsy.com/legal/policy/purchase-protection-program-for-sellers/34509585385 

Orders over $250, including taxes and shipping, are not protected on Etsy. 

[dayspringcollectible]

I agree with the others.  Scam.  New shops are targeted, and you can expect LOTS of these until you expand your shop, get everything filled out, and get some sales so you don't look like a newbie any longer.  They will then leave you alone to go after a target with less experience.

Legitimate sales will show up on your List Manager page under Orders & Shipping.  Etsy doesn't need any info from you, they already have your info.  And if for some reason Etsy needs to contact you the will do so under Messages, and the From Etsy tab.

This happens on all sites.  At the moment it seems to be especially bad on Etsy.

[ChillwolfArt]

@CrestBlanco  Hi, Welcome to Etsy.  It sounds like you've been targeted by scammers, and I'm sorry about that. They tend to target new Sellers, often appearing within seconds after someone lists an item/s.  I have been seeing an increase of new Sellers coming to the Forum lately; some are being bombarded with Messages from scammers. You don't expect to start fresh on a site, and immediately get hit with this garbage. It bothers me to see so many new Sellers getting hit. And as a new Seller, I can see where you could be caught by it; it could happen to anyone.

Many scammers are posing as "Buyers", stating they need your email for an Order. They don't, Etsy already has it. They are trying to get you to input your banking info, so they can steal from you. When you receive a LEGIT Order, it will appear in "Orders & Shipping" (Left Column of Shop Dashboard); it will also show in your Payment Account. if it isn't there, you have no Order.  Mark the scammer's Message as Spam (so you don't get dinged for S Seller).  And never click on links or engage with them.

"Verification" is a popular scam, as well as posing as Etsy Staff/Support, etc.   Scanning of QR Codes is another. When you receive a LEGIT Message from Etsy Support/Staff, etc., it will appear in the "From Etsy" Folder (in Messages). If it isn't there, Mark the Message as Spam (so you don't get dinged for S Seller).  

Here is the Help Article re: Scams.
https://help.etsy.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000343128-How-to-Handle-Scams-and-Suspicious-Messages?seg...

Hope this is helpful to you, and may this garbage cease for you and for others. Best Wishes to you.

[ModAngie · Accepted solution]

Hello,

Etsy is actively engaged in preventing scammers from targeting our community members. If you receive a suspicious message, please proceed with caution. Etsy Support will never ask you to provide personal information via Etsy Messages, such as your email address or password. Any legitimate message from us will show in your "From Etsy" folder.

If you receive a suspicious message, here’s how to report it:

1. Sign in to Etsy.com and go to Your Account.
2. Go to Messages. 
3. Select the suspicious message from your inbox. 
4. Choose Mark as Spam.

You’ll find examples of common scammer techniques and phishing messages here in our Help Center. Read our Account Security Checklist in the Seller Handbook for more steps you can take to protect your account.

[ButterflyFeetDigital]

Scammers tend to target new shops.
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

If you receive an actual order, you will see it in your "Orders and Shipping" section and you will receive an email from Etsy notifying you that you have a sale, and there will be a notification in your dashboard as well.

[EmmisCottage]

I set up My shop 3 days ago and I’ve already gotten 10 of these. They say they need your email or your bank credentials are wrong and to get paid you need to click a link. 🤦🏼‍

[CoquetteBath]

yeah if there was something wrong, Etsy would let you know.

by a banner in your shop, or similar.

these scammers are preying on folks they think are inexperienced, naive, or maybe just greedy/excited for that first sale.

don't fall for it.

[LeParisMetro]

Yes, finish your shop so you can look more professional and scammers should move on eventually.  Lots of good advice and links to read provided in this thread.  Good luck!

[DougsVintageStore]

Glad to see so many new sellers are becoming more educated about not falling for these ploys.

They can make the message or email look so convincing sometimes, and then theres the ones you have to laugh at.

best of luck.