Is Etsy safe? 8 Etsy scams and tips for safer shopping

Etsy is an online marketplace that connects independent sellers with buyers looking for unique, customized, or handmade products. But the platform’s popularity attracts scammers, who try to sell fake items, phish for personal information, or carry out other schemes.

Keep reading to learn about the most common Etsy scams and how to avoid them.

Is Etsy legit and safe?

Yes, Etsy is legitimate and generally safe to use. It’s an established online marketplace for independent sellers where you can find handmade, vintage, or bespoke items. In operation since 2005, the platform offers safety features to protect buyers, including a purchase protection program that provides full refunds for fraudulent orders.

8 Etsy scams to look out for

While Etsy’s safety features go a long way to keep you safe on the platform, it’s still important to understand how some common scams on Etsy work so you can look out for them as you shop.

1. Counterfeit goods scam

Some Etsy scammers use the platform to sell knock-off items disguised as high-quality, branded products. Often advertised as “vintage” finds, these counterfeit goods often feature logos or designs stolen from popular brands like Nike or Chanel, but they lack the finished quality of the items they’re imitating.

Here are a few ways to spot a counterfeit goods scam on Etsy:

• The seller doesn’t include clear pictures of the item’s logo and tags.
• There are subtle differences between the logo on the product and the official brand.
• The product is being sold for a suspiciously low price.
• The seller has few positive reviews.

2. Fake Etsy shop scam

In this scheme, a scammer creates fake Etsy shops solely to collect payments or steal personal information from buyers, with no intention of delivering any products.

By the time you realize you’ve made a purchase from a fake Etsy shop, the seller might have removed it from the platform, potentially leaving you out of pocket and vulnerable to identity theft with limited options for recourse.

There are several things to keep in mind when looking out for fake Etsy shops, including:

• Limited or otherwise suspicious reviews
• Incomplete shop details lacking basic information like a description, policies, or banner images
• Poor grammar and spelling in the shop details
• A lack of detailed product descriptions and low-quality images

3. Wrong address scam

In this scam, the seller intentionally ships an item you’ve bought to an address they have access to, instead of yours. When your purchase doesn’t arrive and you file a claim, the seller can provide proof of delivery to Etsy. This makes it more difficult to secure a refund for your order, giving the seller time to disappear with your money.

Here are a few ways to spot a wrong address scam on Etsy:

• The shipping address on the order appears incomplete or incorrect.
• Reviews mention other buyers experiencing delivery issues. 
• The seller provides vague or evasive answers when you ask about your package.
• The tracking information shows your package was delivered, but you never received it.

4. Off-platform payment scam

Some Etsy sellers may ask you to pay off-platform using methods like Cash App or PayPal. Doing this puts you at risk because Etsy only provides purchase protection for transactions made on the site. If you make a payment off-platform and there’s an issue with your order, you won’t be able to open a valid support case.

Paying a scammer using an off-platform method means you’re unlikely to receive what you bought. To try and get a refund, you’ll have to contact your bank’s antifraud department, which doesn’t guarantee a successful resolution.

Here are some of the warning signs of an off-platform payment scam:

• The seller asks you to pay through a platform that isn’t Etsy
• A promise of better deals and discounts if you pay off the platform
• Requests for unusual payment forms like gift cards, cryptocurrency, or a wire transfer

5. Account hijacking scam

Etsy account hijacking attempts can target both buyers and sellers, with cybercriminals often relying on phishing tactics to get the credentials they need. Scammers might phish for your details via email or the Etsy messaging system, generally impersonating an Etsy representative trying to “help” you.

As a buyer, a hacked account can expose your sensitive information like credit card details and addresses, leaving you vulnerable to credit card fraud or identity theft. If a scammer gets access to your seller account, they can redirect payments, lock you out by changing your password, and even steal your customers’ data to run more scams.

A few ways to spot an account-hijacking scam include:

• Suspicious unsolicited emails or messages from “Etsy representatives”
• Requests for login credentials
• Messages containing grammar mistakes or spelling errors
• Messages that create an undue sense of urgency
• Messages containing suspicious links

6. Misleading descriptions scam

In this scam, a seller will send you a product that doesn’t exactly match what they advertised or intentionally mislead you about the product’s details.

They might send something that looks similar to the images in the product listing but is of lower quality, made with different materials, or available elsewhere for much lower prices.

Alternatively, they might misrepresent the item in the description, like dropshipping sellers who fulfill an order for a “handmade” ceramic pot with a mass-produced lookalike.

There are a few effective ways to spot a misleading description scam, including:

• Identical items that are listed for a much lower price elsewhere
• Customer reviews noting discrepancies between the product listing and the item delivered
• Overly polished or generic product photos, possibly sourced from stock images
• Vague or inconsistent responses from the seller when you ask for more information about the item

7. Personal information scam

Scammers may pose as Etsy support representatives and send messages or emails requesting sensitive information like your credit card details, Social Security number, or home address. Once they have this information, they can try to steal your identity or sell your data on the dark web.

Real Etsy messages appear in the “From Etsy” inbox with a “From Etsy” badge. If a message claiming to be from Etsy doesn’t meet these criteria, don’t reply and report it as spam. This moves the message to your “Spam” folder, blocks new messages from that member, and prevents replies in existing threads.

Red flags that you’re being targeted in a personal information scam include:

• Messages from people claiming to be Etsy representatives that don’t appear in the “From Etsy” inbox or feature the “From Etsy” label
• Requests for sensitive personal information
• Emails or messages containing suspicious links that don’t lead to the official Etsy site
• Messages with urgent demands or threats, such as account suspension warnings

8. Fake reviews scam

Some Etsy sellers post or purchase fake reviews to make their shop appear more trustworthy and their products seem higher quality than in reality. These fraudulent reviews can mislead buyers into purchasing based on false feedback, leaving them disappointed with products that fall short of expectations.

A few ways to spot fake reviews include:

• Generic, repetitive, or suspiciously similar-sounding reviews on the same buyer’s profile
• A pattern of lots of reviews posted within a short time frame, with large breaks in between

How to protect yourself from Etsy scams  

Taking precautions can help you spot Etsy scams and protect yourself against falling victim to a fraudulent scheme.

Use the following best practices to help keep yourself safer while shopping on Etsy:

• Review product images: Scammers may steal photos from other sources to cover up fake products. Use a reverse image search to identify if a product photo originates from another website or listing.
• Read customer reviews: Before making a purchase, read through customer reviews. Look for reviews that include specific details about the item and the buyer’s experience to get a clearer picture of what to expect.
• Research the seller: Reliable sellers should have professional-looking Etsy shops with images, thorough descriptions, and multiple reviews. For additional peace of mind, look for sellers with the Star Seller badge, which indicates a seller has a proven track record of quality customer service. 
• Use two-factor authentication: Two-factor authentication reduces the likelihood that a scammer can access your Etsy account, even if they happen to get your password.
• Stay on the Etsy platform: To ensure you qualify for Etsy’s payment protection program, never leave the Etsy website or app to communicate with or pay an Etsy seller.
• Block suspicious messages: Don’t respond to suspicious messages on Etsy. Report any suspected scam messages as spam to flag them to the Etsy support team and auto-block the sender.
• Create strong passwords: A strong and unique password is one of the best defenses against scammers trying to hack into your Etsy account.
• Use a VPN: A VPN (virtual private network) encrypts your internet connection and hides your IP address. This added security can help protect your personal information from hackers when you browse or make purchases online.

What to do if you fell for an Etsy scam

Fell for an Etsy scam? Use the following strategies to take action and help protect your Etsy account, your finances, and your identity.

• Contact the seller: If there was an issue with your purchase or it never arrived, a legitimate seller should issue a refund.
• Report the scam to Etsy: If the seller refuses to issue a refund, open a case with Etsy.
• Change your password: If you gave a scammer your login information, change your password as soon as possible and set up two-factor authentication to help resecure your account
• Freeze your credit: If you shared sensitive information like your bank details or Social Security number with a scammer, freeze your credit with all three major bureaus to stop new credit accounts from being opened in your name.
• Monitor your financial statements: After being scammed, check your bank and credit card statements regularly for unauthorized transactions or use a credit monitoring service to get quick warnings of suspicious activity.
• Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission: Filing a complaint with the FTC can help authorities track scam trends, helping protect other users in the future.
• Get identity theft protection: An identity theft protection tool like LifeLock Ultimate Plus can help you safeguard your personal information and financial accounts. By monitoring for fraudulent use of your personal information as well as for suspicious banking and credit card activity, LifeLock can help you spot potential threats early and provide the critical support you need to respond and recover.

Shop safely on Etsy

Understanding how Etsy scams work and what steps you can take to help protect yourself can keep you safer from fraud risks. Get LifeLock Ultimate Plus for added protection, including alerts for potentially fraudulent banking or credit card activity, as well as stolen funds reimbursement of up to $1 million.

FAQs

Is Etsy reliable?

For the most part, Etsy is a reliable marketplace that’s great for buying unique items. However, like any online marketplace, it’s important to take precautions and verify the legitimacy of sellers and products before making a purchase. Etsy’s payment protection plan offers full refunds for qualifying scam orders, but it’s better not to fall for one in the first place.

Does Etsy support send customers messages?

Yes, Etsy support sends messages that always appear in the “From Etsy” folder with a “From Etsy” badge. If a message claiming to be from Etsy isn’t in this folder, it may be a phishing scam and you should report it as spam.

Does Etsy offer protection for buyers?

Yes, Etsy has a Purchase Protection program. This program typically grants refunds in the following scenarios:

• Your item doesn’t arrive
• Your item arrives damaged
• Your item arrives late
• Your item differs significantly from the description

How can I report a scam on Etsy?

To report a scammer on Etsy, go to the listing or shop page in question and select either “Report this item to Etsy” or “Report this shop to Etsy.” You can also report suspicious messages directly from your Etsy inbox by choosing “Report as Spam.”