Stuck in Etsy suspension loop

[freckles1981]

I haven’t sold on Etsy for several years. I recently updated my shop name and icon (a text based design of my shop name), and listed one item in November. My shop was then suspended at the end of December. I’m 99% sure that the Item I listed doesn't violate Etsy’s policies.

According to their website, in most cases, you should receive an email explaining the reason for the suspension and how to resolve it. I never received such an email.

I filed an appeal, but the response I got was automated, stating that my appeal had been denied. The message said:
"While considering your explanation and the details provided in your appeal, we found risk concerns on your account that violate our Terms of Use. To protect the security of our marketplace, we are unable to disclose the specific activity indicators we detected."

Now, my shop displays a banner that says: "Your account has been suspended—here’s what to know," with a button to file another appeal. I’ve tried submitting an appeal a couple of times, but the status just changes to "appeal is pending" and eventually expires. After that, the banner changes back to "Your account has been suspended."

Here are the steps I’ve taken to resolve this:

• Checked my taxpayer ID (I don’t have a business, so my taxpayer ID is my SSN).
• Verified my payment settings and confirmed my bank account is linked and verified.
• Paid a $0.20 listing fee balance.
• Added my driver's license, which is still marked as "pending verification." I uploaded it on January 3rd, and the site said it would take 2-5 days for review.

I'm posting this with a different old account that I don't use. Is there any way to get this reviewed by an actual human?

[CarpetCollectionAU]

You may hace 2 different issues to contend with.

Firstly, The ID verification of Bank Account and Personal information seems to be taking some time at present due, probably, to the sheer volume of Shops being required to provide / update documentation as a result of the INFORM act requirements. Additionally, it is not Etsy which has the "last word" on these ID Verification requests. Any documentation must also be approved by one of the 3rd Party Payment Processors as well (Pay Pal/Stitching Custodia/Ayden/WorldPay). There have been several reports recently of Shops having Etsy accept the documentation, but Pay Pal etc declining to do so.

2) You say Etsy has also declined you appeal because "we found risk concerns on your account that violate our Terms of Use. To protect the security of our marketplace". This type of response usually relates to Financial/ ID  issues. You say you are 99% sure your one Listing complied with TOUs so it could well be that it is the Financial / ID information which has resulted in the "suspension". As we cannot see your Shop in question, it is hard to see if you are just "suspended" pending ID verification or "closed" with the "Uh Oh" message.

[TheVintagePineapple]

Is this the shop you're referring to which was originally named orangesugar?

crtvcurly - Etsy

What were you selling in that shop?

[freckles1981]

Yes that is my shop that is suspended. I was selling a thread swatch book as a resource to people that sew, which I made myself.

[PaperButterflyForge]

When I reawakened my shop, I had to go through every screen and make sure it was okay.  They've done some changes to the shop manager options, but there wasn't a list of problems/concerns.  But just new boxes to check/uncheck.

You probably already did that, of course.