How to Spot and Avoid Common Scams as an Etsy Seller

Etsy is a great platform for connecting creative sellers with buyers worldwide. Unfortunately, like any online space, it’s also a great target for scammers (boo!).

If you’re an Etsy seller, understanding the red flags and knowing how to respond to suspicious activity is key to protecting your shop and customers. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you confidently identify and manage common Etsy scams.

Common Etsy Scams Targeting Sellers

1. Fake Buyer Messages Asking for Emails

One of the most prevalent scams involves fake buyers requesting your email for “payment issues” or to “complete a purchase.” To seem legitimate, they often create convincing order scenarios with fake order IDs or messages like, “Congratulations, your order has been placed.”

How to handle it:

• Never share your personal email address over Etsy Messages.
• Use your Orders Dashboard to verify genuine purchases.
• Mark suspicious messages as spam (this feature is available on desktop).

2. False “Etsy Support” Messages

Scammers posing as “Etsy Support” may claim issues with your account, such as verification problems or shop suspensions. They’ll ask for sensitive information like your email or prompt you to click suspicious links.

How to Get in Touch With Etsy Customer Support: The Ultimate Guide

Identifying legitimate Etsy messages:

• Real Etsy messages appear in the “From Etsy” tab on your desktop inbox.
• Etsy will never ask for personal information, verification, or QR code scans via messages.

Still doubtful? Stop and don’t click anything! It’s usually a case of better safe than sorry.

3. QR Code Scams

Recently, scammers have begun sending QR codes, claiming they are for account reactivation or shop verifications. Scanning these codes can lead to phishing sites that steal your information.

How to handle it:

• Do not scan QR codes sent via messages.
• Block and report the sender immediately.

4. Gift Card Requests

A scammer may ask you to purchase a gift card and send it to them as part of the “purchase.” This is a classic scam and should always be ignored.

Rule of thumb: Never buy a gift card for a stranger online, no matter the excuse.

5. Unrealistic “Looking to Buy Your Shop” Offers

Some scammers might approach sellers, claiming they want to buy their shops. However, Etsy does not allow shop ownership transfers, making this an impossible ask.

What to do:

• Ignore these messages and mark them as spam.

Why Do Scams Often Target New Sellers?

New sellers or those with fewer sales and reviews often become targets because scammers perceive them as less experienced.

While established sellers might rarely encounter scam attempts, being proactive from the start can save you a lot of hassle.

Tips for new sellers:

• Mark every scam message as spam immediately.
• Never respond to suspicious requests.
• Build your reviews and sales steadily—scam attempts typically decrease over time.

How Etsy Is Combating Scammers

Etsy is actively working to eliminate scams by implementing strict filters that detect and block common scam tactics. For example, words like “email” are flagged, and scammers resort to variations like “e//mail” or “emeil.” Etsy also includes banner warnings and reminders in seller conversations, urging caution against suspicious links and external communications.

Despite these measures, scammers constantly adapt. However, you can maintain a secure and successful business by recognizing their tactics and leveraging seller protections.

The “Red Flags” Checklist for Etsy Sellers

If a message includes any of the following claims or requests, it’s likely a scam attempt:

• Asking for your email address.
• Sending QR codes or unfamiliar links.
• Claiming your shop is suspended or needs verification.
• Offering questionable services like “improving your shop” or “building a free website.”
• Requesting unusual shipping instructions, like sending to alternate addresses alongside a gift card.

What You as a Seller Can Do to Stay Protected

To safeguard your shop against scams, follow these actionable steps daily within your workflow:

• Report & Block Scammers: Use Etsy’s spam-marking tool (desktop only) to prevent future messages from the same user.
• Keep Conversations on Etsy: Never take discussions or payments off the platform. This ensures Etsy’s seller protection applies to your transactions.
• Enable Order Tracking: Ship items with valid tracking numbers, especially for high-value orders over $250. Consider signature confirmation for extra security.
• Fill Out Shop Policies: Complete your store policies to comply with Etsy’s seller protection program.

A Reminder on Legitimate Buyer Behavior

Most Etsy buyers are genuine and trustworthy. Remember not to confuse poorly written or unfamiliar requests with scams, as many buyers may need guidance navigating the platform. Here’s how to differentiate legitimate behavior from suspicious actions.

Likely legitimate:

• Newly created guest accounts placing an order.
• Buyers with grammatical mistakes in their questions or messages.

Definitely a scam:

• Requests to download links/files they can’t send via Etsy Messages.
• Offers to buy your shop or handle transactions outside Etsy.
• Building a Safe and Successful Etsy Shop

Vigilance against scams is part of running a successful online shop. Taking extra precautions will build a resilient business and foster trust among your customer base.

At Craftybase, we’re dedicated to supporting sellers like you with tools to simplify your Etsy inventory management and scale your business confidently.

For more insights into Etsy best practices, tutorials, and expert advice, explore our other blog posts!