Beware of Squarespace Email Scams
Important: Fake “compliance” and “renewal” emails are targeting website owners
If you’ve recently received an “urgent”, “compliance”, or “renewal” email about your website recently, it’s very likely a scam.
I want to be absolutely clear: These emails are not from me. And they are not from Squarespace or any legitimate website professional.
What’s happening
There’s been a noticeable rise in scam emails targeting website owners.
They typically claim:
Your website is “non-compliant”
You need a “compliance setup” or “license key”
Your site is at risk of being suspended
None of this is real.
There is no such thing as a “compliance licence” for your website.
These messages are being sent both by email and through website contact forms, often impersonating real designers or agencies.
Why this catches people out
These scams are getting more sophisticated.
They often:
Pretend to be your designer (or someone credible in the industry)
Use friendly, professional language
Reference your website or previous work
Create urgency - “act now”, “avoid suspension”
Ask for payment or access to your site
Some even follow up multiple times or send invoices to increase pressure.
It’s designed to feel believable and personal.
The reality is…
If you take one thing from this, let it be this:
I will never contact you from a Gmail address
Squarespace will not send compliance warnings via third parties
You will never be asked to pay for something like a “compliance licence”
If something genuinely needs attention, you’ll see it inside your website dashboard
How to spot it quickly
If you’re unsure, look for these red flags:
The email creates urgency or fear
It comes from a generic email address (e.g. Gmail)
You’re asked to make a payment outside normal channels
You’re asked to grant access to your website
The tone feels slightly off or unfamiliar
If something feels off — trust that.
What to do if you receive one
Do not click on the links
Do not reply
Do not pay anything
Do not grant access to your website
Instead:
Mark the email as spam/phishing in your inbox
If needed, forward it to phishing-report@squarespace.com
If you’re unsure- stop and think
You don’t need to react immediately.
If you ever receive a message like this… Take a breath, don’t click anything, contact me directly using the details you already have. A professional will never rush you into action or pressure you to pay on the spot.
Why I’m sharing this
I’m seeing more and more clients receive these emails and understandably, it causes panic.
You’ve done nothing wrong if you received one of these.
But the impact is real: confusion, stress, and in some cases, financial loss.
If this post helps even one person pause before clicking or paying, it’s worth putting it out there.
Please share this
If you know someone with a website, especially on Squarespace, send this to them.
The more awareness there is, the harder it becomes for these scams to work.
Thanks, Lucy
