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Temu promises to help you “shop like a billionaire” with its low-priced products, but are its budget deals actually too good to be true? Here, we explore whether Temu is a legit company that’s safe to buy from or if it’s a scam. Then, protect your device and shop more safely online with a comprehensive security app.
Temu is a rapidly growing and widely used e-commerce platform that connects consumers with merchants. Temu operates through the temu.com website and Temu app, where individual vendors list various items — from clothing and homeware, to electronics and toys. Products are shipped to shoppers directly from manufacturers in China to help keep prices low.
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In June 2024, Temu was downloaded more than 50 million times, making it more popular than the Amazon marketplace app.
Temu is a legitimate company owned by PDD Holdings, a Chinese company based in Shanghai. PDD Holdings also owns Pinduoduo, Temu’s Chinese sister site.
Temu takes advantage of tax exemption for low-priced goods that helps keep prices down for US consumers. This legislation, called the De Minimis Tax Exemption, allows foreign companies to ship to US consumers packages worth less than $800 without paying certain duties or taxes.
As of August 2024, Temu’s website had a Trustpilot score of 2.8 out of 5. For comparison, the low-cost clothing company SHEIN held a score of 4.2 and Amazon 1.7. Complaints about Temu typically include late deliveries, items arriving broken or missing, and delays in getting refunds.
Research has shown that some of the brands on Temu sell fake products, such as knock-off Air Jordans. However, Temu uses a blue tick scheme to help shoppers identify verified products and sellers.
Temu is as safe to buy from as many other online shops — it has policies and measures in place to protect your consumer rights and online safety. However, there are risks you should be aware of, particularly around how your personal data is collected and shared with data brokers.
Temu has a Mobile Application Security Assessment (MASA) Certification, which is awarded to apps after tests prove they have passed certain safety requirements. These tests are carried out by DEKRA, a respected global safety organization.
Here are some ways Temu prioritizes security:
Purchase protection program: Users have the right to a full refund within 90 days for items that don’t match descriptions, arrive damaged, or are lost.
Payment handling: Temu uses HTTPS, TLS, and SSL encryption to help secure online transactions.
Proactive security investigations: Temu engages with HackerOne’s Bug Bounty Program to detect and address vulnerabilities.
Verified seller’s tick: Temu highlights vendors that are officially verified with a blue badge with a tick.
The main risks of using Temu are centered around data privacy and security. The more your data is shared online, the more at risk it is of being caught up in a security breach. So, whenever you sign up for an online account, it’s important to consider the brand’s data policy and how trustworthy you consider them to be.
Here are some key points to know about Temu regarding privacy and security:
Temu shares data with third parties: According to Temu’s privacy policy, your personal data (name, email address, purchase history, etc.) may be shared with third-party advertisers, service providers, and business partners. This is common practice for many online companies, but it makes it harder for you to browse the web anonymously.
Temu may have political influences: While there’s no concrete evidence that Temu or its sister app Pinduoduo have sold data to the Chinese government, US lawmakers have voiced concerns about potential misuse of data collected via spyware that was found in the Pinduoduo app in 2023.
Malware was found on Temu’s sister app: The Pinduoduo app was pulled from Google Play when some versions of the app outside the official store were found to contain malware that was used to spy on its users by exploiting an Android vulnerability.
Of course, malware can find its way onto your devices through many means, not just through infected apps. That’s why you should always use a reliable online security app like Avast One to help stay safe online. Whether you’re shopping up a storm on Temu, reading the news, or scrolling through a friend’s photos, use Avast One to help block malware and other online threats.
Temu itself is not a scam, but as with Amazon and other popular online marketplaces, scammers can take advantage of its popularity and large number of potential targets. If you shop on Temu, it’s important to stay vigilant and be aware of the types of scams that may be found there.
Here are a few Temu scams to be aware of:
Fake Temu codes and promotions: Scammers may use social media advertising to promise huge discounts or free money. These malicious ads are traps designed to get your personal details. Always verify codes through the official Temu website or app.
Gift card scams: Scammers may offer fake Temu gifts or gift cards to trick you into revealing personal information or making payments. If you want to buy a Temu gift card, buy it directly from the source on Temu.com or in the Temu app.
Affiliate link scams: Temu has legitimate programs for affiliates and influencers, but a scammer may pretend to be an affiliate to get you to click a dangerous link. Always verify that the source is trustworthy before clicking on Temu affiliate links off the platform — they could take you to a spoofed site.
Temu customer service impersonators: Tech support scams involve scammers posing as customer support representatives to trick you into sharing your account details or other personal information. Always use official channels for Temu support.
If you get scammed on Temu, you should protect your finances, check your device for malware and signs of hacking, and report the fraud to authorities. Here’s how to report the scam:
Notify Temu customer service to report the incident or vendor.
Notify your bank and ask them to reverse the transaction and get your money back, if possible.
Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
File a complaint at the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) website.
Use the Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker to report fraud.
To use Temu safely, you should follow online shopping best practices, such as checking vendor reviews, using secure payment methods, and installing a good online security app. Before creating an account, review Temu’s privacy policy so you can better understand how your personal information will be handled.
Here are some other ways you can improve your safety when using Temu:
Check Temu vendor reviews: Avoid vendors with mostly negative feedback or minimal reviews.
Look for verified sellers: Sellers with a blue badge with a tick next to their listings have been verified as an official brand by Temu.
Adjust your device settings: Use your app permissions to limit the data you're sharing with Temu.
Use an anti-tracking browser: Download and use a secure browser to help prevent web tracking.
Limit costly purchases: Avoid spending large sums of money on the platform to minimize your losses if you fall victim to a scam or other unforeseen event.
Protect your account: Create a strong, unique password for your Temu account.
Hide your email: Use an alias or secondary email address to protect your main email account from phishing emails that may target Temu customers.
Use secure payment methods: Avoid directly adding card details to your Temu account and opt for payment methods like Google Pay, Apple Pay, and PayPal.
Stay informed about Temu: Stay on top of news regarding Temu, its partner apps, and their business practices.
Use privacy and security tools: Hide your IP address with a VPN while you browse online for greater privacy, and use a reputable antivirus to help detect and remove viruses.
While it’s up to you to decide where you shop and why, here are several factors to consider: environmental footprint, product quality, ethical working conditions, and quality of service.
Temu claims to reduce retail waste with its reverse-manufacturing model — a strategy that sees vendors producing items according to customer demand.
However, the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission reports that “Temu’s lack of affiliation with established brands has brought concerns of product quality as well as accusations of copyright infringement”. It also notes that the Better Business Bureau received 235 complaints about the e-commerce site and app in the 12 months prior to April 2023.
UK documentary “The Truth About Temu: Dispatches” found that certain items purchased through Temu had harmful levels of chemicals, such as lead and cadmium. In response, the company said it “will continue to devote significant resources to improving consumer protection” and “immediately remove any product listings in question pending a review.”
Temu has also stated a zero-tolerance policy for forced labor, although the U.S. government’s Select Committee on the CCP says “Temu is doing next to nothing to keep its supply chains free from slave labor.”
Lastly, Temu has been accused by users of spamming practices. Some Trustpilot reviews note the high volume of unwanted emails after a purchase, although it should be possible for users simply to unsubscribe.
No matter where you shop online, you need a reliable online security app. While you can avoid many digital threats just by being cautious, others are harder to detect. That’s why fighting technology with technology gives you extra protection.
Download Avast One, our free, all-in-one privacy and security app that strengthens your online safety. It includes a VPN to encrypt and protect the data you send and receive online, a powerful antivirus to help block malware, and data-breach technology to help you find out if your passwords have been exposed. Get Avast for 24/7 protection so you can browse and shop online with greater peace of mind.