I got this message today and thought it was legit I clicked on the link but was still skeptical especially when they sent me to WhatsApp to communicate, but had telegram in the message. I blocked the person and stopped communicating with them.
Topic summary
Merchants are receiving fraudulent emails claiming their Shopify stores will be closed due to policy violations or compliance issues. These phishing attempts use fake sender addresses—typically Gmail accounts like contactshopifyservice@gmail.com, shopifymaintenancefunction@gmail.com, or similar variations—and often direct recipients to communicate via WhatsApp or Telegram.
Key warning signs:
- Shopify never uses @gmail.com addresses for official communication
- Legitimate support doesn’t operate through WhatsApp or Telegram
- Emails create urgency with threats of immediate store closure
If you receive suspicious emails:
- Do NOT click links or provide personal information
- Forward phishing emails with headers to safety@shopify.com
- Contact support directly through the official Shopify Help Center (not via email links)
- Change passwords for both email and Shopify accounts
- Enable two-step authentication
- Run virus scans if you clicked any links
- Review banking details and account settings
Ongoing issue: Multiple users report receiving these scam emails daily, even after closing their stores. One merchant lost $250 to scammers posing as Shopify experts offering to fix fabricated “backend issues.” The community emphasizes vigilance and reporting all suspicious communications to Shopify’s safety team.
