Can you get scammed on Etsy? (Everything is known!)
Etsy is popular as a one-stop shop for convenient online shopping. From selling handmade items, vintage products, jewelry, home decorations, the list goes on! Etsy’s global reach attracts millions of buyers and sellers, creating a massive online marketplace.
Online shopping is a growing trend and people love it. However, doing anything online comes with the fear of being scammed. This is understandable as scams on online shopping platforms are not unheard of.
So, can you get scammed on Etsy? What if I get scammed? Now is the time to find out!
Can you get scammed on Etsy?
In short, yes. As with all online marketplaces, you can get scammed on Etsy, but it’s still a safe site. No need to worry too much about being scammed.
Unfortunately, it is nearly impossible to eliminate the existence of scammers waiting to extort online buyers. Many large online retailers face the same problems as scammers, not just Etsy. There are inherent risks in buying something online, but you don’t need to worry too much.
There are millions of sellers on Etsy, and the number of scammers posing as legitimate sellers is only a small fraction of the total. So statistically, the likelihood of being extorted by a bad seller is very low. rest assured, Most sellers are reliable and trustworthy.
If you really want to be sure, check out Is Etsy Legit?
Is Etsy Safe for Credit Cards?
Naturally, the security of credit card information is a major concern for people when buying products online. We often hear a lot of stories about credit card scams, so it’s no surprise if you’re hesitant to pay with your credit card.
The good news is that Etsy is safe for buyers who want to pay by credit card. Etsy has security protocols to keep your credit card information private. Your credit card information is encrypted using Etsy’s Transport Layer Security (TLS). Basically, your credit card information is safe and sellers cannot view your information.
Etsy strictly regulates the security of your sensitive information according to its Privacy Policy.
How do scammers blackmail buyers on Etsy?
Scammers on Etsy often employ similar tactics to deceive unsuspecting online buyers. Based on the experiences shared by scam victims, this is usually how scams happen.
First, a buyer scrolling through a product will land on the store. Then go ahead and buy the product. As with standard purchases, payment will go through and estimated delivery time or shipping information will appear.
After a while, maybe a few days, you’ll wonder why you haven’t received your purchase. That’s when you’re likely to be deceived. “Sellers” remove their store on Etsy. In the end, no purchases are delivered, and you have no money and no purchases.
This is a typical tactic used by scammers on Etsy. They masquerade as real sellers by including pictures in their “store” to get people to buy. Once you take your money, they disappear as if they never existed on Etsy.
What if I get scammed on Etsy?
If you suspect you’ve been scammed, the first thing to do is — don’t panic. Next, try contacting the seller. In the best case, you can resolve the issue directly with the seller. However, if that doesn’t work (which is usually the case), you can open a case with Etsy.
Filing a case with Etsy means engaging Etsy in trying to get your money back. Etsy is known to be customer-centric, so they do their best to help you. On the other hand, if you are a seller who has been scammed by a buyer, Etsy has you covered as well. Use Etsy to view the seller’s case.
Another way to open a case is request one Chargeback from your credit card company. A chargeback is when you report an unwanted transaction and funds are returned to your credit card. In the event of a scam, a refund may be a quicker solution than out of the box.
However, please note that once you file a chargeback request with the credit card company, you cannot open a case with Etsy. Likewise, if you have filed a lawsuit with Etsy for a refund, your lawsuit on Etsy will be closed immediately. So it’s best to weigh your options and decide which solution to use.
How to avoid getting scammed on Etsy?
As the saying goes, “prevention is better than cure”. If you’re an Etsy user or considering using Etsy for your shopping needs, you need to take precautions for a safer online shopping experience.Here are some tips To avoid scams on Etsy:
- Check store reviews
Nothing beats customer reviews. This is the best way to ensure that you are buying from legitimate sellers. If the reviews are generally positive, that’s a good sign. Try not to buy from stores with few or no reviews.
- Message to seller
Please contact the seller if you are considering purchasing from their store. Ask any questions. If the seller can answer your questions satisfactorily, go ahead and buy. However, if you don’t hear back, you need to look for another store. Good sellers understand the importance of customer service and communication, so keep an eye out for these stores.
- Do not share credit card information via messages
This is an obvious precaution. Be aware of the information you share through Etsy’s messaging system. Do not send any sensitive or private information, especially credit card related information.
- Check Refund Policy
Refund policies vary by seller. Please make sure you have read the refund policy in the store before purchasing. If a seller doesn’t have a refund policy in their store, that’s a clear red flag. The seller may not be a real scammer, but avoid it as scammers also rarely have a refund policy.
- Always pay via Etsy
Never go through a medium of exchange other than Etsy. As mentioned earlier, Etsy has security protocols in place to ensure transactions are safe for buyers and sellers. Scammers often try to convince you to trade on another platform and may lure you with a discount. This could expose you to security and privacy threats, and if you do get scammed, your case will be void on Etsy.
in conclusion…
Scams are rare and shopping online on Etsy is safe. Still, with any online shopping platform there is a risk of scams and bad sellers. To shop with confidence, you can take precautions to avoid falling victim to a scam.
As a rule of thumb for online shopping, Do not share any personal and sensitive information with the seller. Etsy keeps your private information private, and so should you. Be mindful when shopping and keep an eye out for responsive stores with positive reviews.
Be careful and you should be fine. Keep calm and keep shopping on Etsy.
Have you been scammed on Etsy before? Share your experience in the comments below!
