Etsy Scams Targeting You Daily and How to Stay Safe

Etsy is one of the most popular e-commerce websites. It offers unique items that can complement your image or interior. Unfortunately, it also attracts the attention of scammers who are looking for ways to take advantage of unsuspecting shoppers. 

Unsurprisingly, users are seeking answers to questions such as "Is Etsy safe?" or "How common are scams there?" There are more than 14,000 Etsy reviews on the PissedConsumer platform, with 80% of customers unsatisfied with the online marketplace. Many users find it challenging to contact Etsy customer service and get the necessary assistance. Only 10% would recommend it to their friends, family, or colleagues.

This article discusses the most common Etsy scams, ways to spot and avoid them, and steps to take when you're scammed.

Key Insights

• The number of active buyers who purchased goods through the Etsy platform was approximately 96.48 million in 2023, while the number of active sellers was about 9 million. 
• The most common Etsy scams include counterfeit products, wrong address scams, order issues, and phishing.
• To spot any fraudulent activity on the platform, pay attention to red flags that can help you avoid falling victim to scams on Etsy, for example, unrealistically good prices, off-platform transactions, suspicious links in the messages, poorly written descriptions of goods or stock photos, and more. 

How to Spot Etsy Scams

So, is Etsy safe? Scammers often catch their victims unawares. However, if you are keen, there are easily identifiable telltale signs. Below are typical warning signs of Etsy scams to watch out for:

• Too-good-to-be-true prices. If an item is priced significantly lower than similar products, there is a chance that it is counterfeit or substandard. You may also fall for a fake Etsy shop scam or ghost seller scam. 
• Many negative reviews on an item or shop. If, when checking online reviews and seller ratings, you find many complaints about the shop or products there, be wary. Negative feedback can be a red flag indicating potential issues. 
• Poorly written product descriptions and unclear product photos. When scammers set up fake shops, they do so hurriedly and do not take the time to proofread and check their content. That's why stock photos, poor grammar, or overlaid generic details are red flags and signals to pay more attention and be careful. 
• Off-platform transactions. Etsy scammers may ask you to complete a transaction outside the platform because they are difficult to track in this case. Also, fraudsters may use this opportunity for phishing to acquire your bank details.
• Unresponsive or evasive communication by the seller or buyer is a major Etsy red flag that indicates the buyer or seller is not reliable.
• Unsolicited/spam messages and links from sources posing as Etsy. Scammers on Etsy may try to deceive you by sending a message with links to click on, which will lead to revealing your personal information and bank details. They usually contain urgent-sounding requests, warnings about Etsy account issues, or congratulations for being chosen for some often unrealistic rewards.

Common Types of Etsy Scams

Though Etsy scams may have various forms and scammers are improving their tactics every day, we've singled out the most common based on customer experience. 

Fake Etsy sellers

While the online marketplace has policies and onboarding structures to ensure only legitimate sellers are listed on the platform, a few fake Etsy sellers may manage to get through. In most cases, they list items and take payments from customers, but the buyers never receive the items. Sometimes, the Etsy fake sellers close the shop after making a few sales.

In one of the Etsy complaints, the customer placed an order for a custom book, but the order status never changed, and the seller became unresponsive. A few days later, the platform showed the shop had been closed, and Etsy customer service advised the customer to reach out to the seller for any assistance:

Etsy now states the "shop is closed" and any issues pertaining to my order should be settled by contacting the seller. 5 messages later to the "seller" with no response.

Fake Etsy customer service phone numbers

On their website, Etsy categorically states that they do not have a phone to call for customer service and warns customers against calling Etsy phone numbers they find online. Etsy notes that the only way to safely access phone support is by requesting a callback through the Etsy customer support form.

Source: Etsy Help Center

However, some Etsy customers are still looking for ways to find a legitimate phone number to reach the marketplace directly. As such, customers search the internet for phone numbers and unintentionally fall victim to fake Etsy customer service phone numbers.

For example, in review #5899862, the customer purchased an item in December 2023 but has since not been delivered. They found an Etsy customer service number that they called but ended up getting scammed for more money:

Called a customer service number, the call was intercepted by a scammer and was scammed for more money. At this time Im out of 577.95 with no way to get any of it back.

Counterfeit products on Etsy

When you buy an item, you want it to be unique and genuine. Unfortunately, you can encounter counterfeit products on Etsy, which can become a significant issue. Sellers use misleading descriptions and images to deceive buyers.

There have been some incidents of counterfeit products on Etsy that have been reported, particularly for collectibles. For example, one Etsy user was sold counterfeit sports cards.

One user on X.com also shared a similar complaint: he bought a box set of seasons 1-9 of Archers only to receive a “bootlegged copy.”

Source: x.com

Etsy wrong address scams 

Sending items to the wrong address happens quite often on Etsy. It is not regarded as a scam when it happens unintentionally and only once. However, some sellers may intentionally send goods to the wrong addresses. 

For example, in review #6015499, the customer’s package was not delivered to their address. Instead, it was delivered to a person in San Francisco and “given to a random stranger,” though the receipt shows Los Angeles as the point of destination:

My receipt shows going to Los Angeles andinstead it was delivered to a random man in San Fran . Etsy scammed me 

Etsy phishing scams

Not only buyers but also sellers on Etsy fall victim to scammers. The main aim of all types of phishing scams is to access your personal or financial information. Phishing scams on Etsy take different forms, including:

• fake Etsy emails;
• unsolicited direct messages purportedly from Etsy;
• payment redirection;
• suspicious order or payment confirmation;
• account, listing, or order verification requests.

One Reddit user encountered a phishing scam when they received a message asking them to authenticate a newly published listing, which appeared legitimate since it included their shop logo and name. The scammer provided a link, and upon clicking on it, the seller was redirected out of Etsy and asked to provide their bank details. Fortunately, their bank blocked a suspicious transaction attempt.

Source: reddit.com

This is not an isolated case, as indicated in the comments below the post:

Source: reddit.com

According to the Etsy Help Center, authentication messages from Etsy always appear in a From Etsy inbox on Etsy.com and have a “From Etsy” badge below the subject line.

How to Avoid Etsy Scams

When you navigate the marketplace, staying cautious is crucial to avoid Etsy scams. Here are steps you can take to safeguard your shopping experience:

• Educate yourself on common forms of Etsy scams. Take time and examine what Etsy frauds are prevailing, understand their key features, and lookout for telltale signs. 
• Examine the seller and product details. Start by checking seller ratings and reviews. Then, examine product descriptions and photos. Pay attention to any discrepancies, mistakes, and stock photos. 
• Read online reviews. Ensure that you read customer feedback left on review platforms like PissedConsumer.com, social media, and forums like Quora and Reddit. This helps identify potential issues, assess product quality, and improve customer service.
• Do not make any payments outside of the Etsy platform. Scammers often insist that you make payment through a link they provide. Do not fall for their persuasion. Any Etsy payments made out of the platform are not eligible for the Etsy Purchase Protection. 
• Mark suspicious messages as Spam. You should not respond to any suspicious messages. Etsy Help Center recommends marking them as "Spam" and blocking the member who sent you the message. To do it, go to messages in your profile, select the suspicious message, and choose "Mark as spam." 
• Join consumer communities. Consumer communities like the PissedConsumer Club offer valuable information and tips to help you avoid falling victim to scammers. They also provide the needed help and support in case you were scammed.
• Be wary of any pressure from sellers. If the seller is creating urgency and pushing you to make payment immediately, it may be a sign of a scam. You should take the time to consider a purchase and make payment at your own pace.
• Only communicate with sellers or buyers within the platform. Some scammers on Etsy pretend not to be able to go through with some steps, such as adding more items to their order or checking out. They may ask for your email or other details to complete the process. Do not provide them with such information; insist they complete the platform process. 

Steps to Take if You're Scammed on Etsy

In the unfortunate case that you fall victim to scams on Etsy, here are the steps you can take:

• Report the incident to Etsy. If the item you bought doesn't comply with Etsy's policies, you can report it. According to the article for consumers on the platform, you can do it both on the official website and the Etsy app. If you are using the site, go to the page where this item is listed and choose "report this item to Etsy." Then, choose a reason from the dropdown list, add a note with more details, and submit a report. If you are using the Etsy app, press and hold the image of the item. Then select "Report this item to Etsy" from the dropdown menu. Choose the reason and submit a report. To report an Etsy shop, log into your account at the official website and select "Report this shop to Etsy" on the left. Then, add details and submit a report. 
• File an official complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). File your complaint at reportfraud.ftc.gov to report Etsy scams.
• Reach out to your bank or credit card company. If the scamming incident resulted in you providing your banking details or a charge, contact your bank or credit card company to block or reverse transactions.
• Change your Etsy account password. If you suspect that scammers have gained access to your profile, change your passport instantly. Such actions can significantly reduce the risk of potential fraudsters taking over your account again.

In your experience, is Etsy safe? Have you ever encountered Etsy fraud? You may write a review on Pissedconsumer.com to share your consumer insights and details. It may help other buyers and sellers learn about potential issues and red flags.