Do you make purchases online? You have surely heard of Temu, a Chinese platform that is causing a sensation on social networks, since many of the products you find have incredible discounts. Although it is an excellent alternative to AliExpress, eBay, Mercado Libre, among other similar websites, you must be very careful when purchasing, as you could be a victim of a scam.
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What is Temu?
Temu is an e-commerce website that belongs to the Chinese giant Pinduoduo. Like AliExpress and other similar stores, it acts as an intermediary between the buyer and the seller. That is, the things you find on the platform are offered by people (or companies) from various parts of the world, mostly from China and other Asian countries.
According to Xataka, a portal specialized in technology, Temu users can find all kinds of products. From gadgets for your cell phone to peripherals for your computer. You can also find collectible figures from your favorite anime, clothing, shoes, fashion accessories, household items, as well as various items for your beloved pets.
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Buying on Temu is quite simple, as it is available on several platforms. You can access its official website from your computer or download the application found in the Play Store and App Store. You will have to create an account using an email, although it will also be possible to register using your Google, Facebook or Apple account.
This is what Temu's website looks like. Photo: Temu
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What are the main scams related to Temu?
Temu has become one of the most popular shopping apps in the world; However, that doesn't mean it's perfect. Currently, many users on Trustpilot have rated the platform with 1 star, saying that it sends too much SPAM to their inbox. Also that it is very difficult to request refunds or that some products arrive in poor condition.
Camilo Gutiérrez, head of ESET's research laboratory in Latin America, assures that the aforementioned criticisms do not make Temu a fraudulent website. However, the popularity of this platform has sparked interest in many scammers, who have created accounts with the aim of scamming consumers using the following methods:
1.- Phishing: It is a social engineering technique that seeks to trick victims into revealing their banking passwords themselves. What cybercriminals do is send you a link (via email, for example) that takes you to a page with a design similar to Temu. On this website, you will be asked to enter your card number and other personal information.
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Many do not suspect that it is a cloned website and end up entering the information that will later be used to empty your bank account. It is worth noting that malicious links cannot only reach you via email. Some cybercriminals publish ads that show offers that are not to be missed. By clicking on them, it will take us to the fake Temu site.
2.- False celebrity advertising: Many hackers take advantage of the image of an athlete, politician, singer, among other celebrities, to make their victims believe that a certain offer from Temu is real. If you fall into the trap and get carried away, you will end up on a cloned website and being part of a list of people who were scammed.
3.- Counterfeit technological products: Before buying a cell phone, be sure to check the seller's track record. If you are a new account and are selling an iPhone 15 at an excessively low price, it is most likely a Chinese knockoff. Preferably, buy from users who have a good rating, as this way you will avoid a scam.
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How to avoid falling for these scams?
The ESET expert made some recommendations for users who are thinking about purchasing from Temu, but fear being scammed in the process. If you find yourself in this situation, you can take a look at the following tips:
- Do not click or enter Temu links that have been sent to you by email, especially if they are in the spam folder.
- Avoid entering suspicious Temu ads. The best thing is to go to the official site and look for this offer.
- Do not save payment details to the account. Preferably, always enter them
- Do not believe Temy offers announced by celebrities, unless they have been published on their official social networks
- Be wary of big discounts. For example, if you find a cell phone with a 90% discount, it is most likely a scam.
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