The logo of short-form video hosting service TikTok is seen on an escalator on the grounds of the Frankfurt Book Fair, on the first day of the world's biggest book fair on October 18, 2023 in Frankfurt am Main, western Germany. The Frankfurt Book Fair, in its 75th edition in the year 2023.
BBB (Better Business Bureau) issued a new TikTok Shop scam alert to warn consumers about the rising number of fake, faulty, and non-existent products sold in this online marketplace.
The giant video platform recently released its e-commerce business in the United States on Sept. 12. Before it arrived, many experts already warned that users should be careful when using this platform for shopping.
This is because TikTok wasn't originally created as a shopping platform. Now, here's what BBB said in its latest warning.
TikTok Shop Scam Alert Issued by BBB
According to NBC 5 Chicago, BBB revealed that ever since the TikTok Shop arrived, around 55% of the social media platform's users have been using it to buy numerous products.
Most of them purchased items just after seeing them on the app. BBB President and CEO Steve Bernas warned that using the TikTok Shop comes with a lot of risks.
"Consumers should vigilantly follow online shopping safety tips when using TikTok Shop," he explained.
"With any new service comes the potential for scams, especially with online shopping, where it could be difficult to verify a seller's identity or vet their background," he added.
When TikTok released its e-commerce business, the social media company promised that it would closely watch the activities of TikTok sellers and remove products that violate the platform's Terms of Service.
However, Bernas warned that some scammers can still "slip through" the restrictions of TikTok. He added that malicious sellers can do this by selling fake, faulty, and non-existent products.
Read Also: EU Launches Probe Into TikTok, Meta for Disinformation on Israel-Hamas War
How to Avoid TikTok Shop Scam
In this photo illustration, the social media application logo, TikTok is displayed on the screen of an iPhone on an American flag background on August 3, 2020 in Arlington, Virginia. - The US Senate voted on August 6, 2020, to bar TikTok from being downloaded onto US government employees' telephones.
BBB provided some tips that users can follow to avoid becoming one of the victims of TikTok Shop scams. These include the following:
- Always read the return policy.
- Read the reviews and comments before purchasing.
- Make thorough research about the seller and the product.
- Check the seller's verification.
- Use your credit card when shopping so transaction issues can be disputed easily.
Aside from these, CBS News also shared other tips to help you avoid online shopping scams on TikTok and other social media platforms:
- Try shopping with companies you already know, especially during holidays.
- If the offer is too good to be true, find another product.
- When purchasing products from the TikTok Shop, check it on other more reliable shopping sites, such as Amazon and Best Buy.
Related Article: Top Online Marketplaces With the Most Fake Products-Here's How to Spot Counterfeits
