10 most common Temu scams, and how to avoid them

What are Temu scams?

Temu scams are fraudulent schemes that target shoppers on the popular online shopping platform Temu. As the platform has grown in popularity, it’s attracting not just deal hunters but also scammers. Temu scams can happen both inside and outside the Temu app or website.

Inside the app or website, scammers may set up fake listings or offer deals that seem too good to pass up. They may trick you into sharing personal details like credit card details or login credentials.

Outside the app, scammers might use fake Temu websites, social media accounts, or even phishing emails to get you to reveal sensitive information. If you fall for these tactics, they can steal your payment details or make unauthorized purchases using your information.

Types of Temu scams

Scammers know that people are always on the lookout for deals, and they use that to their advantage. From fake texts from Temu to copycat websites, scammers have several ways to try and trick you. In this section, we’ll break down some of the most common types of Temu scams.

1. Temu text scams

Temu text scams are a growing problem. Cybercriminals send fraudulent messages pretending to be from Temu in hopes of luring you into clicking a phishing link. These texts often claim there's an issue with your package, such as “parcel not received” or “wrong address.”

The message will usually include a phishing link that looks like it’s from a legitimate courier or package tracking site. If you click it, you’ll likely be directed to a fake website and asked to enter personal details like your name, email, or bank card number. A few days later, your bank card information could be stolen.

To avoid falling for a Temu text scam, always check your order details on Temu's official website if you have any delivery concerns. Temu also lists the couriers they work with and provides tips on how to spot fake SMS messages.

🚩 Red flags to look out for:

• The sender’s phone number looks suspicious.
• The message includes a link that doesn’t lead to the official Temu website (check for misspellings or unusual domain names).
• The message creates a sense of urgency, such as “Your parcel is stuck” or “Immediate action is required to claim your package.”

2. Temu email scams

Temu email scams are another way scammers try to steal your personal details. These fraudulent emails often look like they’re coming from Temu, but they are not. Scammers use these emails to direct you to fake websites that look like the official Temu site.

Once you enter your login details, such as your email address and password, on a fraudulent site, scammers can steal and exploit them for further malicious activities. Some phishing emails may also contain viruses or malware, which can compromise your device and steal even more sensitive data.

🚩 Red flags to look out for:

• The email asks for sensitive information, such as your Temu password, credit card number, security code, PIN, or social security number (SSN).
• The email asks you to pay unexpected fees for promotional items like "free gifts" or "surprise boxes."
• The email contains unexpected attachments. Temu will never ask you to open attachments for order confirmation.

3. Temu affiliate link scams

Temu has a legitimate affiliate and influencer program, but scammers sometimes pretend to be affiliates to trick you into clicking harmful links or using their referral codes. These scammers often post videos or ads with tempting images of cash, luxury items, or “exclusive offers” to lure you in.

Their goal is to get you to click a malicious link or use their referral code when signing up for Temu, which earns them rewards. These schemes are also known as Temu code scams. While using the referral code itself isn’t harmful (though it can be misleading), the links they provide may lead to malicious websites that steal your personal information.

🚩 Red flags to look out for:

• The link directs you to a website that doesn’t match Temu’s official domain.
• The message promises too-good-to-be-true offers, like free items or cash rewards for using the referral code.
• The referral code is shared in a way that pressures you to act quickly, creating a sense of urgency.

4. Temu gift card scams

Temu gift card scams are popping up all over social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter). Scammers often promise free Temu gift cards or merchandise, but these promotions are too good to be true.

Scammers behind these promotions might ask you to download apps, play games, or shop through certain links to “earn” your gift card. These tasks can take days or even weeks, and in the end, you're likely to never receive the promised reward.

In other cases, scammers might try to trick you into giving away personal information or paying for a fake gift. While Temu does offer some genuine promotions, like free gifts for referrals, they rarely give away gift cards.

🚩 Red flags to look out for:

• The offer comes from an unofficial social media account or suspicious website.
• The link directs you to a website that doesn’t match Temu’s official domain.
• You’re asked to download apps, play games, or shop through certain links to "earn" the gift card.

5. Fake Temu app scams

Scammers create fake versions of the Temu app to trick users into downloading malware or stealing personal information. These fake apps often look identical to the real Temu app, but their goal is to capture your login credentials, credit card details, and other personal information.

Scammers promote these apps through phishing emails, fake ads, or social media posts. Some scammers also set up fake websites that resemble Temu’s official site, using small changes in the URL to make them hard to notice.

🚩 Red flags to look out for:

• The app isn’t listed on official app stores like Google Play or the Apple App Store.
• The app has mostly negative reviews. If a review says, “This app is a scam,” don’t test it — trust the review.
• The app asks for unnecessary permissions, such as access to your contacts, camera, or microphone.

6. Temu job scams

Scammers use names of popular e-commerce platforms to trick people into fake job offers. These fraudsters often pretend to be Temu recruiters, claiming they found your resume through recruitment agencies and want to offer you a well-paying remote job. They know how to use social engineering to make you feel like you're missing out on a great opportunity.

One common scam involves a fake job offer that promises earnings of $50 to $500 a day simply for helping Temu merchants with tasks like updating data or increasing visibility. Scammers will usually ask you to contact them via WhatsApp or another encrypted messaging app, which should be an immediate red flag. 

🚩 Red flags to look out for:

• The job offer promises an unrealistic income, like earning $50 to $500 a day for minimal work.
• You’re asked to pay upfront for training materials or tools.
• The offer pressures you to act quickly and "secure your spot."

7. Temu pallet scams

Temu pallet scams are a form of online fraud, in which scammers offer bulk deals for Temu products, often at unbelievably low prices. These scams promise large quantities of products in exchange for upfront payments.

Once you pay, the products either never arrive or are of significantly lower quality than promised. Scammers may claim these bulk deals are part of a special offer or clearance, making it hard to resist the temptation of a “great bargain.”

🚩 Red flags to look out for:

• Prices are significantly lower than those found on the official Temu app or website.
• The scammer asks for payment through untraceable methods like wire transfers or gift cards.
• The scammer hides details about the product quality, shipment information, or return policies.

8. Temu credit card scams

Temu credit card scams occur when scammers trick you into entering your payment details on fake or unsecured websites. You may also receive fake emails or ads asking you to “verify your payment details.”

These scams can lead to unauthorized purchases or the theft of your financial information, which may then be sold or used for other fraudulent activities. Scammers may also combine stolen data from previous breaches to commit identity theft.

🚩 Red flags to look out for:

• The checkout page looks unprofessional (features broken links or strange formatting).
• The website doesn’t provide clear security policies or customer protection information.
• The website isn’t secure (look for the padlock icon or "https://" before entering payment details).

9. Temu customer service scams

Scammers often pretend to be Temu customer service representatives to steal your personal or account information. They may reach out to you through unsolicited messages, emails, or phone calls, claiming they need your details to fix an issue with your account or order. Their goal is to trick you into handing over sensitive information, which they can later use for fraud or identity theft.

To protect yourself, always contact Temu’s customer support through official channels. If someone contacts you claiming to be from customer service, exercise caution and verify their identity before sharing any details.

🚩 Red flags to look out for:

• The communication pressures you to act fast, claiming you need to provide your details immediately to solve a problem.
• The contact method looks suspicious, such as a personal phone number or email instead of official Temu channels.
• The message has typos, poor grammar, or strange phrasing that doesn’t match official customer service communications.

10. Temu fraudulent seller or product misrepresentation scams

Even when you use the official Temu app, you’re not fully protected from scams. Since Temu allows third-party sellers, some dishonest vendors may try to sell counterfeit products. While Temu uses a "verification badge" to help you spot trustworthy sellers, it’s not always foolproof.

Some sellers might misrepresent the size, quality, or authenticity of their products, or they may not deliver at all. For example, in 2023, counterfeit Air Jordans were being sold on Temu for under $50, while real versions typically sell for over $100.

🚩 Red flags to look out for:

• The price is much lower than what the product usually sells for.
• The seller lacks a "verification badge" or has poor reviews. In other cases, the reviews may be generic, overly positive, or don’t provide specific details.
• The seller lists no clear return or refund policies.

How to shop on Temu without getting scammed

Is Temu safe to shop at? Temu is a legitimate online shopping platform, but like any marketplace, it can become a breeding ground for scammers. It's important to take steps to protect yourself from becoming their target:

• Use a separate email address. Create a dummy email for your Temu account to keep your personal inbox safe from potential phishing attempts or fake promotions.
• Protect your account. To prevent unauthorized access, use a unique and strong password for your Temu account and enable two-factor authentication (2FA).
• Check seller reviews and ratings. Always read reviews and ratings for sellers before making a purchase. Stick to well-rated sellers, especially those with the "verified" badge on Temu, to ensure you're buying from trusted vendors.
• Avoid unsolicited links. Temu scams often involve phishing links in emails or social media ads. Never click on links from unknown sources and use a link checker to verify their legitimacy. Also, ensure the website URL starts with "https" and has a padlock symbol for security, especially when providing your payment information.
• Use secure payment methods. When shopping on Temu, stick to secure payment options like credit cards or virtual cards to avoid fraud and chargeback issues. A secure online shopping experience will likely make you feel comfortable buying from the shop again.
• Download the Temu app only from official sources. To avoid fake apps designed to steal your information, only download the Temu app from trusted sources like the Google Play store or Apple App Store.
• Use security software. Consider using anti-phishing software to block phishing emails before they reach your inbox. NordVPN’s Threat Protection Pro™ is an anti-phishing solution that automatically scans URLs while you’re browsing and blocks phishing sites before they can cause harm.

What to do if you get scammed on Temu

Unfortunately, scams can happen, even on trusted platforms like Temu. If you find yourself a victim of fraud, it’s important to act quickly to minimize damage and prevent further issues.

1. 1.Secure your accounts. Immediately change your passwords for your Temu account, email, and any other accounts where you use similar login details.
2. 2.Alert your bank. If you made a payment or shared financial information, contact your bank or credit card provider immediately to report the fraudulent transaction. They may be able to help you reverse charges or monitor for suspicious activity. Even if you didn’t make a payment, keep a close eye on your bank and credit card statements for any unauthorized transactions and alert your bank if you spot anything suspicious.
3. 3.Report the scam to Temu. Include details like transaction dates, amounts, and any communication received. Temu staff can help investigate the situation and potentially remove the fraudulent seller or listing.
4. 4.File a report with authorities. If relevant, file a report with your local authorities, especially if you have suffered financial loss or if the scam involves identity theft. You can also file a report with the FTC to help protect others from falling victim to the same scam. Also, consider reporting the fraud through the BBB Scam Tracker tool to warn others about the scam and prevent it from spreading.
5. 5.Warn others. Share your experience on social media, online forums, or with friends and family. The more people who know about the scam, the less likely others will fall for it.

Latest news on Temu scams

Temu has recently been linked to several scams targeting users. One major issue involves deceptive TikTok videos that promote fake celebrity photo leaks to encourage people to use specific Temu referral codes. These videos often feature doctored images of celebrities with scandalous captions, tricking viewers into downloading Temu and using the scammer's referral codes (BleepingComputer, 2023).

While not a scam in the traditional sense, Temu has also faced serious concerns over the safety of some products sold on its platform. Investigations found that certain clothing and shoes contained harmful substances. 

For example, South Korean authorities discovered that some children’s clothes sold on Temu had up to 622 times the legal limit of toxic chemicals. In addition, a pair of shoes sold by Temu contained phthalates at 229 times the legal limit, and sandals were found to have lead at 11 times the allowed level (Business Insider, 2024; EHN, 2024).