What are Etsy scams?
Etsy scams are deceptive tactics designed to trick buyers or sellers into handing over money, goods, or personal information under false pretenses. While these scams aren’t carried out by Etsy itself, they do happen on the platform — much like scams that happen on other e-commerce platforms.
So is Etsy legit? Yes, it is a secure online shopping site, but like any other major platform, Etsy can be exploited by bad actors who find creative ways to bypass safeguards. Some pose as legitimate sellers, but they offer products that never arrive or look nothing like the photos. Others target shop owners, pretending to be customers or even Etsy support, to gain access to online accounts.
Both buyers and sellers on the Etsy platform are vulnerable. Buyers risk losing money or receiving counterfeit goods, while sellers may deal with suspicious activity, fake orders, phishing attempts, or chargeback fraud.
How do Etsy scams work?
Most Etsy account scams start with someone pretending to be a real buyer or seller. Scammers set up fake shops or pose as interested customers to manipulate their targets.
They often bait victims with deals that seem too good to pass up, then ask for payment outside of Etsy’s secure system (usually via PayPal, Venmo, or cryptocurrency). Some include external links in listings or messages, leading users to phishing sites or malware traps.
To appear legitimate, scammers may steal product images from real sellers or load their pages with fake seller reviews after purchasing their own items from faux customer accounts. Others go a step further by hijacking existing Etsy accounts, using a previously trusted seller to trick new victims. In some cases, scammers impersonate Etsy staff through spoofed emails or messages to harvest sensitive details, financial information, or other personal data.
How to spot Etsy scams
Spotting a scam on Etsy isn’t always easy, especially when scammers go out of their way to look legitimate. Some create polished listings, use real-looking photos, and even copy the product descriptions used by legitimate sellers. Still, certain patterns tend to repeat. Watch out for these key red flags that can help you steer clear of trouble.
Unprofessional or inactive profiles
Be cautious of profiles with generic usernames, no profile picture, or empty bios. These shops often lack any trace of a personal story, branding, or history, which are common among real creators on the platform. To avoid scams, look for complete bios, verified seller info, and a clear brand identity.
Pricing that’s too good to be true
Deep discounts on hot-ticket items can be a trap. Compare prices of similar items across several shops. If one listing seems unusually cheap, especially from a seller with little to no history, it could be bait to draw in unsuspecting shoppers. Be extra cautious with flash sales or “limited stock” claims combined with super-low pricing.
Requests for personal details
Legitimate sellers rarely ask for sensitive information beyond details necessary for a transaction. Be wary if a seller requests your passwords, bank account details, or other private data.
Off-platform payment requests
Any seller asking for payment via PayPal (a common method used in PayPal scams), Venmo, or cryptocurrency outside of Etsy is breaking the rules. Never complete a purchase outside Etsy’s checkout system.
Questionable product descriptions
A real seller knows their product inside and out. If the description feels vague, has poor grammar, or doesn’t match the photos, that’s a red flag. Some scammers also copy descriptions from other listings word for word, hoping you won’t notice.
Other warning signs include missing size information, unclear shipping address details, or promises that sound exaggerated. If you find yourself reading a listing and still wondering what exactly you're getting, it’s best to look elsewhere.
Links to external sites
Messages or product listings with external links are a red flag. These links may lead to fake pages or sites loaded with malware. If someone asks you to complete a purchase off-site, it’s safest to walk away.
Defensive or delayed communication
Watch out for suspicious behaviors like sellers avoiding questions, giving vague replies, or getting defensive when asked for details. Genuine sellers are usually transparent and responsive when messaged through Etsy.
Excessive shipping fees or delays
Scammers sometimes list items for free or cheap, then tack on high shipping fees. They may also promise fast delivery but take weeks or never ship the item at all.
Fake or negative reviews
Be wary of shops with oddly perfect ratings or a string of one-star reviews sharing the same complaints. Inconsistent reviews or generic feedback could also indicate fake or manipulated reviews.
Stolen or fake images
Be cautious of listings with only studio-quality, AI-generated, or stock-style images and no photos showing the item in a real setting. If you’re unsure, run a reverse image search to see where else the photo appears online. If the same image shows up on multiple unrelated sites, it’s a good sign the listing isn’t genuine.
9 common Etsy scams
Whether you’re shopping or selling on the platform, here are some of the most widespread Etsy scams to watch out for in 2025.
1. Counterfeit products scam
Scammers list luxury or handmade items, but what arrives is a cheap imitation. It’s common with branded jewelry, homeware, or “artisan” products that turn out to be mass-produced knockoffs.
2. Wrong address scam
A scammer sends a package to a random local address and marks the order as completed. The tracking looks legitimate, but the buyer never receives anything while Etsy’s support team sees it as delivered.
3. Account hijacking
Hackers gain control of a real Etsy account and use it to post scam listings or send phishing messages. Because the account appears legitimate, buyers are more likely to trust it.
4. Phishing or spoofing
Victims receive emails or messages claiming to be from Etsy support, often mimicking the emails used by actual support staff. These phishing and spoofing attacks link to lookalike login pages designed to steal credentials or money and can even lead to identity theft.
5. Misleading product descriptions
The product arrives looking nothing like the listing. It could have the wrong size, poor quality, or missing promised features. Sellers often blame misunderstandings or refuse to issue refunds.
6. Fake reviews
Scammers fill their shops with five-star reviews of products purchased from fake customer accounts. These reviews are used to build false trust and drown out real complaints that show the true conditions of the product or the seller.
7. Off-platform transaction scam
Scammers urge buyers or sellers to complete transactions outside of Etsy, often through PayPal or crypto. Doing so strips away Etsy’s protections and makes it easier for them to disappear with your money.
8. Fake shop scam
Entire shops are set up with stolen photos, too-good-to-be-true prices, and fake reviews. They usually vanish shortly after making a few quick sales, and buyers are unable to get recourse or solutions.
9. Malicious website scam
Some listings or DMs contain links that lead to a malicious web address or fake websites posing as the Etsy website. Clicking them could expose your device to malware or lead to identity theft attempts.
How to protect yourself against Etsy scams
It's important to shop smart when using e-commerce sites. Follow these simple, effective ways to protect yourself from Etsy scams:
- Stick to verified sellers with an established sales history and positive, detailed reviews.
- Avoid off-platform communication or payment. Always use Etsy’s built-in messaging and checkout systems.
- Don’t click on shortened URLs or suspicious links, especially in direct messages or the ones that request credit card details.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your Etsy seller app and email accounts for extra login security and identity theft protection.
- Use a strong and unique password that you don’t use elsewhere.
- Be skeptical of urgency tactics, like messages claiming “limited stocks” or “24-hour sale,” especially if the price feels off.
- Read product descriptions carefully. Look for inconsistencies, incorrect grammar, or missing details.
- Check the seller’s shop history, branding, contact details, and how often they’ve made recent sales.
- When browsing on public Wi-Fi, use a VPN to protect your data and keep your online activity encrypted.
What to do if you got scammed on Etsy
If you think you’ve been scammed on Etsy, don’t panic. You can still take steps to try to recover your money and protect your information.
- 1.Start by messaging the seller directly through Etsy. Misunderstandings do happen, and some issues can be resolved quickly.
- 2.If you don’t get a response, escalate the issue using Etsy’s Help Center.
- 3.Make sure to open a case within 180 days of your purchase.
- 4.Keep a record of everything. Take screenshots of listings, messages, receipts, and tracking info.
- 5.Contact your payment provider, bank, or credit card company to ask about a chargeback if Etsy is unable to resolve the issue.
- 6.If you received a suspicious message or email, report it to Etsy support and your email provider.
- 7.If you’ve clicked on a phishing link, run a malware scan on your device.
- 8.Turn on Threat Protection Pro™ to help detect scam websites, block trackers, and reduce your risk of falling for a similar scam in the future.
These steps can’t undo the scam, but they can help you recover quickly and prevent it from happening again.
Tips for Etsy sellers to prevent scams
Can you get scammed on Etsy as a seller? Unfortunately, yes. Etsy scams for sellers also exist. Here’s how to stay one step ahead:
- Never accept payments outside Etsy, even if the buyer insists. It voids your protections and may flag your account.
- Double-check buyer names and addresses before shipping high-value or custom items.
- Publish clear return and refund policies to protect yourself in disputes.
- Use watermarks on original product photos to stop copycats from stealing your listings.
- Always use tracked and insured shipping, especially for expensive orders.
- Watch for buyers who message with urgent or unusual requests, especially if they’re asking for personal details.
- Log in to your Etsy seller account dashboard regularly to monitor for unusual account activity.
- If something feels off, report it to Etsy right away. It has systems in place to investigate fraudulent behavior, and it can monitor your seller dashboard.
Running an Etsy shop can be rewarding, but it pays to be cautious. Etsy scammers don’t just target buyers. Sellers need to stay vigilant, too.
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