User asks for my email to buy?

[andressanchezart]

Hello, today a user sent me the following message:

“Hello, I want products from your store!
When I try to make the payment through a secure transaction on ETSY, I get a window asking me to enter the seller's email to complete the order. Please send it and I'll make it right
away.”

So I tried to respond by sending my email, but then I got an error message: The username you entered is not valid.

What is all this? Why can't I reply to this user? Or on the contrary, did he want to scam me?

[RenateMadeIt]

It's a scam

[EarthyClayandcraft]

It's a SCAM, widely described here. Mark as spam and do not provide your e-mail!

[Amaradorn · Accepted solution]

It's a SCAM. 

Luckily the user had already been reported and Etsy deleted their account - that's why you couldnt respond to the message.

After supplying your email address the scammer would send a fake email asking for your bank/credit card details in order to finalise a sale. This is not how Etsy works. Sales to directly to your open orders page and the funds are transferred directly and automatically to your bank account (that you already set up).

[EphemeralExpressions]

It is a scam.  The reason you got the "username you entered is not valid" response is because the scammer probably sent out multiple messages like the one you received, and Etsy deleted their account. 

A buyer will NEVER need your email address to make a purchase.  If you receive similar messages in the future, mark them as spam, and never click on any links.

[GalleryAntiques]

It is a scam, mainly targetted at new Etsy sellers, do not reply, send the message to spam.

[vintageNCtreasures · Accepted solution]

Lots of info on the forums, help pages and announcements.
They want your email so they can send you to a FAKE etsy site to login and will ask you to enter your banking and credit card info so they can STEAL money from you.

Protect Your Account From Scammers - Welcome to the Etsy Community

https://community.etsy.com/t5/Managing-Your-Shop/How-to-Spot-a-Scam-No-a-Buyer-Doesn-t-Need-Your-Ema...

https://help.etsy.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000343128-How-to-Handle-Spam-and-Suspicious-Messages

[glitluxey]

Omg It was the first time selling on etsy so I was so excited to receive 3 orders that I gave my bank accounts details. They haven't taken a penny from my account but I am afraid that they can use the information. What should I do? They wanted to know the exact account balance. It does not gick well for them with the first account so I tried with another that has only 6 euro deposit. They asked me to transfer at minst 450€ to that bank account

[TheVintagePineapple]

@glitluxey You should call your bank(s) asap and let them know what happened.  They can secure your accounts and advise you further.

[DougsVintageStore]

Maybe Esty should invest in some Anti Spam Software?

[glitluxey]

I think the same that Etsy must fix this problem. Everything seems real as that is really Etsy that helps you with processing the order.

[bradgoodell]

@glitluxey 

I'm sorry this happens, but on every message there is a warning that says:  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.

By simply following this warning that is on every message that comes through Etsy, you protect yourself.  Other simple ways to avoid being scammed:

1. Keep all conversations on Etsy.  Meaning don't email, text/SMS, WhatsApp, etc. with people off Etsy.  Real sales show up on your shop dashboard, and the money shows up in the shop payment account.  If it isn't on your dashboard, there is no sale.
2. Don't click on unfamiliar links in messages.  This is basic internet security, whether on Etsy or off.  If Etsy needs to confirm or verify anything, they will put a notification directly on your shop dashboard.  
3. If the message is not in the "From Etsy" folder in Etsy messages, the message is not from Etsy.

Be safe and aware.