Navigating Potential Scams on Etsy. A Guide for Sellers

As an Etsy seller, you’ll often encounter many different types of messages, orders, and interactions. While most are benign and involve genuine customers, you need to stay vigilant against the occasional scam. This guide is here to help you recognize the tell-tale signs of scams and equip you with effective responses to potential fraudulent activities.

It’s worth noting that these instances of attempted fraud are not isolated events. I have personally encountered four such instances already. In two of these cases, Etsy promptly deactivated the fraudsters’ accounts, possibly due to reports from other sellers or the detection of trigger words used in the fraudulent messages. However, it is not entirely clear what led to the deactivation of these accounts, as Etsy does not publicly disclose specifics about its security measures or internal procedures.

Common Scam Examples:

1. Unforeseen Error Scams:
Example: “Hello, dear seller. Welcome to Etsy technical support, your item has been paid for by a buyer but an unforeseen error has occurred as a result of processing the transaction in the backup-processing centre, please enter your email into this chat in order to receive an individual form to confirm the sale of your item. Thank you! Once you receive the email, follow the link and enter your bank card details to confirm the seller’s identity, after which the order will appear in the Etsy app.”

2. Overpayment Scams:
Fraudsters might pretend to accidentally overpay you and request a refund for the difference. After you refund them, you find out their initial payment was fraudulent.

3. Shipping Address Scams:
Scammers can ask you to ship to a different address than the one listed on Etsy, often claiming it’s a gift for a relative.

4. Origin and Delivery Query:
Scammers sometimes attempt to establish a rapport by asking seemingly innocuous questions. For example, “Hello! Where are you from?” or “I’m from Tel Aviv, can you deliver to me?” These messages might not immediately seem suspicious, but they can serve as a setup for more nefarious intentions.

5. Promises of Payment:
Scammers may reassure you by stating their intention to pay in full through Etsy, like “Cheers, I’ll pay for the item and shipping in full on Etsy”. They might then follow up with a request for your email address or send a fake confirmation of payment, asking you to check your email.

6. Email Requests and Fake Photoshop Screenshots:
A common approach used by scammers involves asking for your email, as seen in the message, “For this, I need your email”, often followed by a Photoshop-edited screenshot trying to “prove” the transaction or another important aspect of the order.

7. Fake Payment Confirmations:
After supposedly making a payment, a scammer might send messages like “I paid for the order, check your mail for confirmation of payment”, or “Hun…Check your mail for confirmation of payment.” These fraudulent confirmations aim to convince you that a payment has been made, tricking you into shipping the order without having received a legitimate payment.

Here is a comprehensive algorithm of actions you can use to handle potential scams:

1. Recognize:
Stay alert for unsolicited requests for personal information, promises of payment followed by email requests or claims of payment confirmations that don’t appear in your Etsy transaction records.

2. Report:
If you receive a suspicious message, report it to Etsy’s customer service immediately. Do not respond to the sender until you have guidance from Etsy.

3. Respond:
If you choose to respond to a suspicious message, make sure not to provide any personal information or agree to any unusual requests. You could reply with the following message:

“Thank you for your message. According to Etsy’s policies, all transactions and communications should be conducted within the Etsy platform. I will not provide my email or any other personal information. Instead, I will contact Etsy directly for assistance.

Best regards, [Your Name].”

4. Resist:
Avoid falling for high-pressure tactics that scammers might use to rush you into decisions. Always take the time to verify the legitimacy of any transaction.

5. Record:
Keep track of all interactions with customers. This record can be incredibly valuable when reporting potential scams.

6. Recheck:
Always confirm the payment status directly from your Etsy Seller Dashboard. Do not trust unverified emails or messages claiming that a payment has been made.

By staying vigilant, you help maintain the integrity of the Etsy community. Always err on the side of caution and don’t hesitate to contact Etsy support if you’re unsure about something.

After all, it’s not just about protecting your business — it’s also about contributing to a safer and more trustworthy online marketplace for everyone involved.