How to avoid TikTok Shop scams

TikTok Shop scams have become harder to ignore as more users fall for shady sellers, fake job offers, or copycat profiles posing as legit brands. Scammers have been quick to take advantage of the platform’s growth, especially as it continues expanding into more countries.

In this guide, we’ll break down how TikTok protects buyers, some common scams you might run into on TikTok Shop, and how to avoid them. We’ll also explain what to do if you’ve already been scammed and how to report fraudsters to TikTok.

Is it safe to order from the TikTok Shop?

Ordering from TikTok Shop can be as safe as shopping on other online platforms, as long as you’re careful. The platform features a verification badge to help you identify legitimate sellers and offers secure payment options. Here’s how that works for buyers:

• Your payment info isn’t shared with sellers: TikTok Shop uses third-party processors and doesn’t store your personal data after the purchase.
• Transactions are encrypted: Services like PayPal and Stripe handle payments, using encryption to keep your financial info unreadable by snoopers.
• TikTok Shop follows PCI DSS standards: In other words, it meets global rules for how payment data should be handled and protected.

Moreover, TikTok Shop buyer protection policies include a 30-day return window for returnable items and a 90-day period to file disputes for undelivered or misrepresented products.

These protections lower the risk of TikTok Shop scams, but don’t fully prevent them, so it still pays to be cautious.

Are there scams on the TikTok Shop?

We’ve previously covered all sorts of TikTok scams, whether it’s the classic romance scams, fake giveaways, common cryptocurrency scams, or others.

Naturally, TikTok Shop is no different, and the platform’s relatively recent launch (2023) means scammers are having a field day compared to more established stores. Read on for a list of TikTok Shop scams and how to spot them before it’s too late.

TikTok Shop scams list

Some of the typical TikTok Shop scams are ones you see on every e-shop: scammers selling fake or low-quality products, impersonating celebrities to sell you bogus items, or outright not delivering anything.

Others are more complex and lead to stealing your logins and/or payment data, or luring you into dangerous Ponzi schemes with the promise of easy money. Here’s what to watch out for.

1. Low-quality or fake items

Some sellers on TikTok Shop list products that look great in videos but show up completely different (or don’t work at all). They use vague listings or copied photos to make cheap knockoffs seem legit. Buyers usually find out too late, after the item arrives.

Even when reviews are shown, they can be bought or AI-generated. This makes it harder to tell what’s real. If a deal looks too good, or the seller is unverified and doesn’t have clear product details, it’s best to skip it. Always check reviews on outside platforms if possible.

2. Items not being delivered

A common scam involves sellers who take your money but never send the product. They might even provide a fake tracking number or stall with excuses. TikTok may eventually step in, but it’s still a hassle to get your refund and your time back.

Scammers often vanish before their store gets flagged. Since new shops pop up all the time, it’s hard to keep track. To avoid this, only buy from verified sellers who have customer photos in their reviews, not just flashy videos or aggressive promo deals.

3. Impersonation/Identity theft scams

As with any identity theft scam, fraudsters create fake profiles that copy real brands or influencers. They’ll use similar names, logos, and videos to look legit. If you search for a product instead of going through a verified page, you might end up on one of these copycat accounts.

These impersonators often push limited-time deals to pressure you into buying fast. But once you pay, the product never shows up, and the account either blocks you or disappears. Always double-check the profile before buying and stick to verified pages only.

4. Phishing scams

Phishing scams on TikTok Shop usually start with a message or email that looks official. It might say there’s a problem with your order or account and ask you to log in through a link. That link leads to a fake site meant to steal your password or payment info.

Some scammers even clone real TikTok pages to look legit. They rush you to act fast so you don’t stop to think. Always double-check the link address and never enter any sensitive details unless you’re sure it’s the official site. If you’re unsure, go through the app directly.

5. Fake job scams (aka task scams)

This scam tricks people into thinking they’re fulfilling real TikTok Shop orders as “merchants” (as one victim points out in their Reddit post).

In reality, they’re really just sending money to the scammers. Early “profits” are faked to hook the victim. Later, they’re pushed to deposit more, always with the promise of a big payout just one order away. Unsurprisingly, this never happens.

This TikTok Shop scam can be especially distressing because:

• The “job” feels legit at first (some money does come back).
• Victims think they’re in control, not realizing it’s a rigged loop.
• It leans heavily on guilt-tripping and not wanting to walk away after putting in so much.

Read more: How to spot fake job scams

How to avoid TikTok Shop scams

TikTok Shop scams are avoidable if you follow a few simple tips before making a purchase or sharing any info:

• Check seller details: Look for verified badges, solid ratings, and customer reviews that include photos.
• Stick to in-app payments: Avoid off-platform payment requests and stick to TikTok’s built-in checkout. That means no Cash App, Venmo, or other ways of sidestepping TikTok’s protections.
• Watch out for unrealistic prices: If something seems way cheaper than it should be, it’s probably a scam—though you get the occasional story on Reddit of someone getting a quality product at a low price.
• Refuse to share any personal info: Never send payment details, ID info, or anything sensitive to sellers through chat.
• Don’t click sketchy links: Unsolicited messages with links or attachments are often phishing attempts, so ignore and delete them.
• Lock down your account: Generate and store unique passwords for TikTok and other accounts with a trusty password manager and turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) through your account settings to prevent unauthorized access.
• Report scammers: If something feels off or you get scammed, report the seller’s profile to TikTok right away.

What to do if you’ve been scammed on TikTok Shop

If you’ve been scammed on TikTok Shop (whether it’s through a shady seller, fake page, or scammy job offer), there are still steps you can take to limit the damage. Act fast, keep the receipts, and don’t panic.

• Cut off all contact: Stop messaging the scammer and don’t send more money or info, even if they pressure you.
• Save all evidence: Take screenshots of chats, profiles, payment history, links, job postings, and so on. This helps with reports and investigations.
• Call your bank: If you’ve shared your payment info, call your bank or card provider as soon as possible. They may reverse any charges or offer further help.
• Report the scam: Use TikTok’s in-app reporting tools. If you lost money, consider contacting your local authorities or fraud agencies (you can try the FBI’s IC3 site or the FTC in the US).
• Alert any company being impersonated: If the scam involved a fake version of a known brand or TikTok itself, let them know.
• Change your passwords: Especially if you shared any or used the same ones elsewhere. This is where 2FA is really useful as a safety net.
• Watch your accounts: Keep an eye on your bank, email, and TikTok activity in the following weeks for anything suspicious.

How to report a scammer on TikTok

Here’s how you can report TikTok Shop content in the app:

1. For videos, tap the Share button on the side or press and hold the screen.
2. For livestreams, tap the Share button in the bottom-left corner or press and hold the stream.
3. Tap “Report” and choose a reason like “Shopping-related,” “Selling counterfeits,” “Inaccurate promotions,” or “Intellectual property and counterfeits.”
4. Pick the sub-topic that best fits what happened.
5. Add any extra info that might help explain the issue.
6. Tap Submit to send your report to TikTok.

Alternatively, use the steps below to report the scammer account directly:

1. Go to the person’s profile in the TikTok app or in your browser.
2. Tap the Share button (in the app) or More options (on the web).
3. Select Report, then choose Report account.
4. Pick a reason that fits the situation.
5. Tap Submit to finish the report.

TikTok Shop Scams FAQs

Further reading: