Etsy would like our community to be safe, both online and offline. When using the Internet we should all take precautions to ensure our safety and privacy. Here are a few safety guidelines to keep in mind when using Etsy and the Internet in general:
Personal Information: Take care when posting personal information about yourself or someone else on the Internet — including the public places on Etsy. Public spaces include your Etsy shop, the forum, Online Labs, and comments to blog articles. In many cases the information you post is permanent. Please do not post any personal information that you do not want the world to know (for example, your phone number, credit card number, and passwords). Before posting private information about someone else, make sure you have appropriate permission.
Specific Location Information: Avoid posting information that would make it easy for a stranger to find where you live or work.
Embarrassing Information: Opening up to the Etsy community can give you a sense of closeness. It’s just plain fun. However, avoid posting anything that would embarrass you later. Remember, the forum is not your diary. If you do not want your mom, boss, friend, or child to learn about certain information or see a photo, do not post it on Etsy or link to it in a public area.
Real Life: It is fun to connect with people on Etsy, but be wary about meeting someone in person whom you do not know. Use common sense and good judgment because unfortunately, people aren’t always who they say they are. If you must meet someone, do it in a public place and bring a friend or trusted adult. Also, it’s a good idea to bring a mobile phone if you have one.
Abusive Behavior: Please treat each other with respect. Harassment, hate speech and inappropriate content should be reported. If you feel someone’s behavior is inappropriate, contact Etsy. Always trust your gut: immediately stop corresponding with someone if you feel threatened. If you feel unsafe, contact your local authorities.
Email and Your Computer: There are a number of ways to protect information on your computer. For example, a spam filter might reduce the number of unwanted emails (but check it, just in case an Etsy email gets stuck in there). Anti-virus software can be used to scan incoming messages for troublesome files, and anti-spyware software looks for programs that have been installed on your computer to track your online activities. Firewalls can prevent unauthorized communications from entering your computer. If you don’t recognize the sender of a downloadable document or file, delete the file without opening it to avoid getting a virus.
Passwords: Choose a password that uses a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using obvious words, for example your last name or nickname, or dates like your birthday. Never share or email your password to anyone. Avoid using the same password on many websites, this way if someone discovers one password that person won’t have access to all your online accounts.
Internet Fraud: From phony lotteries and bogus employment and business opportunities to investment fraud and phishing, there are many Internet scams. Sometimes it’s hard to determine when an opportunity is legitimate. On Etsy, ask questions concerning consignment opportunities, requests for free samples, and solicitations for craft fairs. Be wary of requests to take transactions off Etsy. Do your homework and ask for references, full names, and contact information. Keep your personal information, password and credit card information secure and never send this information via email.
Remember, the public spaces on Etsy are indexed and searchable by major search engines.
The United States Department of Justice has a great article about Internet fraud and PayPal has an article about how to protect yourself from fraudulent emails. Take a look at Etsy’s Privacy Policy for information on how Etsy keeps your information secure. Also, check out the Storque’s articles on consignment, scams and custom orders.
We at Etsy love our community and hope you will take these tips into consideration in order to stay safe online. Please share any additional Internet safety tips in the comments below.
Sarah Feingold is Etsy's in-house attorney. She is also a jeweler with an extreme sweet tooth.
29 comments
Sign in to add your ownlittleputbooks says:
this is a smarticle. a smart, article. :)
4 years ago
beyondtherockz says:
smarticle, astute-icle.
4 years ago
ClaudiaLord says:
This is a very good article. Thanks!
4 years ago
CourtneyWatson says:
Thank you for this article- feeling safe & secure here @ Etsy (:
4 years ago
LycheeKiss says:
This is a very good advice, I've learn something better. Thanks SarahSays.
4 years ago
Jenarter says:
Great article, thanks! I thought of something else. Be sure to always log out of Etsy or any account if your on a computer in a public place, like work, or a cafe or library. I know I don't log out often at home, so I might for get if it was me. :)
4 years ago
raghousenternational says:
Thanks for this article. I will look into it!
4 years ago
jamieleto says:
good job with this ! useful info.
4 years ago
eclipse says:
"Specific Location Information: Avoid posting information that would make it easy for a stranger to find where you live or work. " "Strangers" can get your address without you posting it. All they have to do is buy an item from you. Since Etsy's primary function is buying and selling merchandise, people do have to give out their address, so it may be useful to use a P.O. Box instead of home or work address. "If you don’t recognize the sender of a downloadable document or file, delete the file without opening it to avoid getting a virus." You shouldn't open an unexpected file attachment even if you *do* recognize the sender. Most virus programs will hijack an infected computer's email program and send the file to everyone in that person's address book. The "sender" may be your best friend's address but if you don't know what the attachment is, you should ask them before opening it.
4 years ago
herbanelements says:
important info, but you scared me because i received kind of a weird convo just last week from someone who "lived near me" and wanted to "get his hands on my things"! creepy.
4 years ago
APunkinCardCompany says:
Great advice!
4 years ago
jewelscurnow says:
Be careful with your birthdate!
3 years ago
LynnDaz says:
This is great advice to all even those not on the net. One can never be too careful where strangers are concerned. Net Safety is the first thing my children learned before being allowed on the computer.. and this is also true for adults just learning as well.
3 years ago
LoraneR says:
I'm just starting.....and got a lot to learn.
3 years ago
GardenAngels says:
Thank you for all the info....I will sift through it somehow!
3 years ago
niceartthings says:
Thank you for that article, it is very useful indeed :)
2 years ago
pogoman6 says:
I have liked what you have disclosed to your readers. I have just read a book published by Eloquent Books called ' Scammers Among Us Beware'. It is a self help guide of compiled data from US agencies, Canada, the UK, and Interpol regarding various scams, scam protection, shopping online, chat rooms, art paintings and their protection as told by Interpol. There are many other important information facts with web pages and cite pages along with the writer's personal testimony of his involvement with some scam shysters. Please view Amazon.com, BN.com and www.eloquentbooks.com/ScammersAmongUsBeware.html. Thank you.
2 years ago
LoraneR says:
I wrote in February (4 above) and I've learned a lot since then. The article was scarry/creepy and I just can't fathom people like that. So I know this article (is great) and very necessary. I'm thinking about Facebook and the like. I don't think I want to be on there anymore.
2 years ago
wildewud says:
Thanks for the reminders - it's awfully easy to become complacent...
2 years ago
RomanceCatsAndWhimsy says:
Another thing to be careful with is money orders. They can actually be from the post office and still be fraudulent. The scammer can either be a former employee or know someone at the post office in order to get the money order. So even if you call the USPS money order verification system - the money order will be in their system. The post office advises that it's not a guarantee and can still be a fake. Take ALL money orders directly to the post office and have an EXPERIENCED postal worker confirm whether or not the money order is legitimate. If they just hold the money order up to the light to see the Ben Franklin watermark - this is not enough because fake mo's will have this as well. But what they don't have is all of the official information completed that can only be done at the post office itself. Let the post office decide and cash your money orders there.
2 years ago
flutterbyby7 says:
Great advise! Also think twice before doing anything you're not sure of..
2 years ago
jewelryshop88 says:
Dear VIP customer: As Christmas is in the corner, I would like to avail myself of this chance to wish you Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Wishing you every happiness and expressing appreciation for your cares and concerns during the year. I sincerely wish that I will have better and more cooperation during new year 2010! ALL THE BEST TO YOU!! Cheer chen chufen
2 years ago
UrbanGraffiti says:
good advice
2 years ago
bellapovera says:
Great advice, thank you!
1 year ago
LoriMarie says:
Great Article..Thank You !!
1 year ago
quitewoman says:
Very good article.I recently started to learn how to protect my privacy and identity on line. Now I am using http://behidden.com for most mine online activities. It took me a while to realize that we need to pay an attention to this issue.
1 year ago
flowuur says:
Great information I have read today on protecting our identity online, I always try to be careful on line, but you never know.
1 year ago
angelina104 says:
HDMI supports standard video formats, enhanced video and high-definition. It is also backwards compatible with DVI (Digital Video Interface). High-end graphics cards featuring a DVI port can connect to a HDMI interface via a DVI/HDMI cable. This is simply a cable with a DVI connector on one end and a HDMI® connector on the other. As a rule, HDMI® cables should not run longer than 15 feet (5 meters), or degradation of the signal could occur.
1 year ago
cooperhome says:
Better safe than sorry! Thanks for the information.
328 days ago