How to Avoid Scams as a New Etsy Seller (Your Simple Guide)

You’ve finally done it.

You opened your Etsy shop, uploaded your first digital product, and hit “Publish.”

That moment? Pure adrenaline. You’re proud, hopeful, and maybe a little nervous.

And then, within minutes, it happens.

A message hits your inbox: “Confirm your Etsy order here.” Your heart skips. You got a sale already? It feels too good to be true.

That’s because it is.

Welcome to your first scam. And sadly, it probably won’t be your last.

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Why New Etsy Shops Get Targeted First

Scammers love new sellers because new sellers haven’t built their defenses yet.

You don’t know what a real order looks like. You’re not familiar with Etsy’s official email formats. You’re still in that fragile headspace where every ping might mean success.

They know this. So they prey on that early-stage excitement.

These scams are not random. They’re automated. Bots track new listings and send scripted messages disguised as official Etsy communication. They’ll use urgent language. They’ll try to trick you into clicking links. And sometimes, they’ll look almost legitimate.

One seller I know got five fake order confirmations in their first 24 hours. Another almost gave away her login credentials, thinking Etsy needed her to “verify her store.”

I wish I could say that’s rare. It’s not.

The Most Common Etsy Scams (and What They Look Like)

Let’s break them down.

These are the top scam formats targeting new sellers:

The “Confirm Your Order” Phishing Email

You get an email that looks like Etsy. It says something like “Order #ETSY8472 Confirm Now” and includes a button. But when you look closer, the sender’s address is shady, the language is slightly off, and there’s no corresponding order in your dashboard.

Fake Customer Messages with Links

Someone pretends to be a buyer. They’ll say they have a “problem downloading the file” or “want to confirm shipping details,” and ask you to click a link. That link may install malware or lead to a fake Etsy login page.

Requests to Communicate Outside Etsy

This one sounds innocent at first. A “customer” asks to continue the conversation via WhatsApp, Telegram, or email. Then the scam escalates. Suddenly, you’re being asked for payment processing help or bank details.

Payment Processing Scams

These usually involve claims that Etsy’s payment system is down and the buyer wants to send money directly through PayPal or Zelle. The goal? Bypass Etsy’s protections and scam you out of both your product and your money.

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How to Spot the Red Flags (Before You Click)

Scam messages have a vibe.

Once you learn to read them, they’re easy to spot. Here’s what to watch for:

• Urgency: “Confirm within 24 hours or the order is canceled.”

• Bad grammar or odd phrasing: “Your sell ID need confirmation now.”

• Links that don’t go to Etsy.com: Hover before you click.

• Strange sender addresses: “[email protected]” is not Etsy.

• Orders that don’t appear in your Etsy dashboard: If it’s not there, it’s not real.

The rule is simple: If it’s not in your Etsy dashboard, it didn’t happen.

What Etsy Will Never Do

• Ask you to click links in an email to confirm an order.

• Request that you log in through any site other than Etsy.com.

• Urge you to contact a buyer through third-party platforms.

• Require “additional confirmation” outside of your seller dashboard.

If you ever feel unsure, go to your Etsy dashboard. That’s your truth source.

What to Do If You’re Targeted

Scammers are relentless, but you can protect yourself.

Here’s how:

• Ignore and delete scam messages. Don’t reply.

• Mark phishing emails as spam. It helps your provider block future ones.

• Report the message to Etsy. Use their “Report this Message” tool.

• Change your Etsy password if you ever click a suspicious link.

• Warn other sellers. Share screenshots. It helps the community.

Most importantly? Don’t let this stuff rattle you.

Scams are annoying, but they’re also beatable. Etsy can be a great platform. The key is to stay smart, skeptical, and calm.

If you’ve already clicked something shady or responded to a scammer, take a breath.

This happens to a lot of new sellers.

It means you’re learning. The scammers are skilled manipulators. The good news is, one mistake doesn’t define your shop.

You’re creating something of value. And once you know how to spot the traps, nothing can stop you from growing.

So go ahead, list that next product.

Promote your shop. Just don’t click anything that says “Confirm Your Order” unless Etsy shows that order in your dashboard.

Have a nice day,

Miroslav from The Design Nexus

TOOLS YOU SHOULD TRY

Even if you sell products other than mugs or t-shirts, it doesn't mean it will cost you more.

There are tools that can help you with the tasks, and most of them have free versions.

• Research: Alura

• Graphic Designs: Creative Fabrica

• Design Editing: Canva, Kittl

• Vectorizing: Vectorizer AI

• POD Fulfillment: Printful, Printify

Disclaimer: Within the article, you will find affiliate links. If you decide to purchase through these links, I want to sincerely assure you that I will receive a commission at no extra cost to you.