I am having issues with my store and I have been spending most of my time answering emails from people wanting me to pay them to help me. I spoke with one tonight but it seemed sketchy to me. First they said I would have to purchase a CN ET Code from UPWORK for $100-200. Is this a scam? why am I paying Shopify if I have to purchase codes so customers can purchase products from me?
When you sign up for Shopify, your contact information is public. Scammers scrape data to get your email and try to get you to pay them money. If that’s what is going on, quit now. Delete your info, block all people, remove all users, and secure your account.
If you’re not specifically seeking out help, there is absolutely zero reason to be responding to anyone.
If you are, there are better ways to go about it, like asking for help here in a public forum.
Yes, that is a scam. No code purchase is ever needed for customers to buy from your store. Your Shopify plan already includes the full checkout, so there is nothing extra to activate before people can place an order. The CN ET Code demand for $100-200 is the tell: real developers never sell activation codes through Upwork or email. If you already paid, dispute it with Upwork and your bank right away.
Hi,
Please do not pay for the “CN ET Code.” It does sound like a a scam.
For your safety:
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Do not send money to the person.
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Do not share your Shopify password, email password or verification code.
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Do not allow them to install unknown apps or code.
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Contact Shopify Support through the official Shopify Help Center.
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Save screenshots of the conversation, then report and block the person.
Best of luck.
Thank you all very much. I thankfully have not given away any information or money. I thought it was a scam but I am very new to this. However, it felt wrong from the beginning so when she asked for money I told her I paid Shopify monthly no way was I paying anymore. Again thanks bunches
That definitely sounds suspicious. You shouldn’t have to buy a “CN ET Code” from Upwork or pay anyone just to accept orders on your Shopify store. I’d avoid sending any money until you verify what they’re asking for. If you’re having store issues, it’s much safer to contact Shopify Support directly or hire a verified Shopify Expert through the official marketplace.
That definitely sounds suspicious.
To my knowledge, there is no such thing as a required “CN ET Code” from Upwork that you need to buy in order to accept orders on a Shopify store. Upwork is a freelancing platform—it doesn’t issue codes that Shopify merchants need to process customer purchases.
Unfortunately, new store owners are often targeted by people trying to sell unnecessary services or fake requirements. I’d be very cautious about sending money unless you can verify the request through official Shopify or Upwork documentation.
If you’re having issues with your store, I’d recommend asking in the Shopify Community or contacting Shopify Support directly before paying anyone. And if someone tells you that you must buy a code or certificate before customers can purchase from your store, that’s a major red flag.
If you’re comfortable sharing exactly what problem you’re trying to solve, the community may be able to point you in the right direction without you spending money unnecessarily.
Hi,
You handled this situation correctly! Trusting your instincts was the right call. To confirm : this is a scam. There is no such thing as a “CN ET Code,” and no code purchase is ever required for customers to complete checkout. Your Shopify plan already includes everything needed to sell.
As a general safeguard : legitimate developers and Shopify staff will never ask you to pay through Upwork, purchase activation codes, or share your password or verification codes. If you require assistance, please post here or contact the official Shopify Help Center directly.
I’m glad no money or information was lost. Hope this helps 
You are welcome 
The community is always there to help, all you have to do is to say it out.
HI @WandaB28
That definitely sounds suspicious. I’ve never heard oof a legitimate requirement to purchase a “CN ET Code” through Upwork in order to run a Shopify store or accept customer payments.
Be very cautions of anyone who contacts you unsolicited and asks you to pay for special codes, certificates or setup fees outside of Shopify. Unfortunately, new store owners are often targeted by scammers who claim they can “fix” their store for an upfront payment.
If you’re already paying for Shopify, you shouldn’t need to buy any additional code just so customers can place orders. If checkout isn’t working, the cause is much more likely to be related to your payments provider, shipping settings, or another store configurations, not because you’re missing some paid code.
My advice would be to avoid sending money to anyone until you’ve confirmed the issue with Shopify Support. If you can describe the actual problem you’re experiencing (for example, what happens when customers try to check out or any error messages you see), the community can probably help point you in the right direction without you having to pay someone first.