How to Avoid Scams on Temu?

avoid temu scams

Temu is now one of the most popular online marketplaces in the world. While it gets criticism about its data gathering and sharing policies, it is generally considered safe to download the Temu app to your device, and the payment platform is somewhat secure, although its perceived ties to the Chinese government raise concerns.

However, like many online marketplaces, Temu is a middleman that provides a large marketplace for individual retailers to list their products, using the same model as Amazon or eBay. Therefore, just because the marketplace is legitimate does not mean that all the providers of the products listed are.


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Many people have reported buying a pair of brand-name sneakers only to find they are fakes. Others have purchased a piece of tech from a seller only to discover the product is fake.

In addition, just like with Amazon, scammers take advantage of the popularity of Temu to send some buyers convincing phishing emails or make fake phone calls.

How can you avoid Temu scams and figure out if what you are buying is fake or legitimate?

What Are Common Temu Scams?

How to Avoid Scams on Temu 1

Scammers use a variety of strategies to use Temu to trick people out of their hard-earned money.

When you are in the app itself, the biggest scam is fake products. Some sellers may list items using photos and descriptions of real products, luring you in with a low price, but what they send you is a counterfeit product. They will also often create fake reviews to add legitimacy to the product.

They’re counting on you not going to the trouble of following up in earnest. In addition, a seller might update the listing after you make your purchase to display the actual product in the fine print. In doing so, they can label your claims as fake and can also point to the recently added photo as “proof” if you complain.

Scammers will also use the popularity of Temu to scam you outside the app environment. They send emails with deals they claim relate to your recent purchase, but the link they attach to the email leads to a convincing but fake site. There, they will encourage you to enter your personal details and credit card information, which they then steal. These scams are also done over the phone, by callers pretending to be Temu customer service. There are even stories of scammers messaging Xbox Live users while they are online.

Avoid Temu Scams With These Tips

How to Avoid Scams on Temu 2

There are things you can do to check Temu for scams and avoid falling prey to these tricks.

  • Always make sure you are using the legitimate Temu app or website. Any variation in the URL should be a red flag.
  • Review products carefully, look for stores with a blue verified tick, and check reviews of the products and the store very closely. Do your research: if a product is significantly cheaper than it is elsewhere, it is probably counterfeit.
  • Temu does email its clients about orders and deals, so it can be challenging to identify fake emails. If you are being emailed about a product you did not purchase, ignore the link, go into the app, and investigate directly. Also, change your password.

Online shopping always comes with a level of risk, but you can avoid Temu scams by using the same common sense you use to avoid scams on other marketplaces, and identify phishing emails and fake phone calls.


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Tom WattonFraud Prevention Specialist at - Scam Detector

When my sweet old grandmother got caught up in an Amazon gift card scam, I decided then and there that I needed to do whatever I could to inform as many people as possible about the grifters of the world. That’s what I do here – writing about modern scams so you don’t get caught out.

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