I’ve seen advertisements about Temu in every single place in the previous few months. And, you recognize, seeing one thing repeatedly sparks curiosity to strive it. So, final week, I downloaded Temu to my iPhone.
They made me spin a wheel, and I received a 100% voucher. I spun once more and received one other 100% voucher. I did this 5 instances and received 5 100% vouchers. Is that this actual?
I used to be additionally stunned, excited, and suspicious. I observed that each product on the web site in each class was too low cost. I ended immediately and typed ‘Is Temu legit?’ on Google. I learn plenty of evaluation articles and Reddit posts. I even talked to my pals about it and received combined solutions.
On this article, I’ll share all the pieces I found about Temu. Like is Temu actual? Is Temu a legit web site? Is Temu protected? Let’s break it down ⬇️
So, what’s Temu?
Temu is an internet procuring megastore with an internet site and an app. It’s making buzz all over the world due to its closely discounted merchandise. Virtually any product you’ll be able to think about might be on Temu for lower than $10. These low costs, large bargains, and insane reductions make many consumers ask: Is Temu protected to order from?
The largest concern: Is Temu protected?
First, Temu is a respectable on-line procuring platform owned by PDD Holdings, a Shanghai-based Chinese language firm. Nevertheless, it isn’t accredited by the Higher Enterprise Bureau (BBB), an ordinary typically sought by main retailers.
Additionally, the web site has limitless buyer suggestions pointing in direction of poor-quality gadgets, pretend manufacturers, and duplicate merchandise. I observed that many tech gadgets on the web site seem like they’re from Dell or HP however aren’t genuine. Solely sellers with a blue tick with their listings are verified as official manufacturers by Temu.
Knowledge privateness is one other concern with Temu. Is Temu a protected web site to share your information with?
What information Temu collects?
I learn Temu’s description on the App Retailer and noticed a listing of information it might accumulate:
- Purchases
- Monetary data
- Location
- Contact data
- Person content material
- Search historical past
- Identifiers
- Utilization information
- App diagnostics
Whereas nothing is suspicious right here, and all on-line retailers collect the identical information, it’s best to know that Temu has been repeatedly accused of privateness violations.
What are the dangers of Temu web site and app??
Earlier than you click on that “Place Order” button on Temu, simply bear in mind there are some dangers to remember. There are worries about information privateness, safety points, and people sneaky hidden prices. Understanding what to look out for may also help you store smarter and safer. So, try these details earlier than you dive into these tempting offers:
Does Temu steal or promote your information?
Perhaps! Whereas there have been no main information leaks reported in opposition to Temu, warnings from buyers put Temu’s safety into doubt. As I discussed, Temu collects plenty of information about its customers. As well as, cybersecurity consultants counsel that Temu doubtlessly extracts info by way of customers’ profiles, akin to pictures, procuring conduct, pursuits, social media profiles, and even authorities IDs. Knowledge breaches, that are so frequent lately, may expose this information to hackers and scammers.
Additionally, Temu’s privateness coverage states that Temu doesn’t promote your information. However, it shares the knowledge with delivery associates, advertising suppliers, and third-party promoting, advertising, and analytics corporations for various causes. That is commonplace follow for a lot of e-commerce platforms, however customers must be cautious about how broadly their information could be shared.
One other frequent concern is…
Is Temu protected to make use of bank cards?
Temu says (on its official web site) that it makes use of superior socket layer (SSL) know-how and complies with the Cost Card Trade Knowledge Safety Customary (PCI DSS) to guard your card info. However, there have been many experiences and warnings from folks noticing unfamiliar transactions on their bank cards after use on Temu.
How can I test if the Temu app has leaked my particulars?
I don’t suppose there’s any good solution to test this. However, there are indicators indicating your information has been compromised, for instance:
- Receiving password reset requests you didn’t provoke
- Getting an uptick in spam emails, textual content messages, cellphone calls
- Uncommon bank card transactions.
By the point you discover these indicators, it could be too late. So, take each safety measure to keep away from being scammed or turning into a sufferer of information leaks.
Private expertise: I’m fortunate to be a Mac person. It has many built-in security measures that maintain my information protected from unauthorized entry. However, manually checking whether or not each function is ON will be exhausting, and it’s straightforward to overlook a few of these settings.
However that’s not a priority for me as a result of I exploit Pareto Safety. The app can rapidly test if I’ve utilized all safety options obtainable on my Mac. In case I overlook to activate any function on the app’s guidelines, it can spot it and spotlight it in orange circles. Superior, no?
To make use of Pareto:
- Set up and open Pareto.
- Click on on the Pareto icon within the menu bar.
- Right here, you’ll see a listing of safety settings. Those marked with inexperienced are alright, as are those with orange — you should repair them.
- When you click on on one of many “orange” options (people who require safety setup), it’ll direct you to the repair web page, the place yow will discover out the right way to repair the problem.
The right way to keep away from information leaks
The next items of recommendation may forestall or decrease the danger of information leaks not solely on Temu however on any platform on-line:
-
Use an alias or secondary electronic mail for to guard your fundamental electronic mail account from cyber threats.
-
Create a robust, distinctive password and retailer it securely in a password supervisor. To do that, I exploit Secrets and techniques 4, a incredible password supervisor for Macs and iPhones. In reality, the app locks up your bank card particulars, information, and different delicate info protected with 256-bit encryption. It could additionally create sturdy passwords that might be remembered by you.
-
Use two-factor authentication (2FA) to guard your accounts. However be sure you use a trusted and confirmed instrument to allow 2FA. When you ask me, I counsel Step Two. The app makes organising and managing 2FA on a number of accounts simpler. It makes use of iCloud to routinely sync two-step codes throughout all of your obtainable macOS and iOS units. And the Safari extension permits you to autofill the codes for quicker and safer login.
-
Rigorously evaluation Temu distributors and their rankings. Keep away from distributors with minimal or principally damaging evaluations. Solely select sellers with a blue badge with their listings.
-
Be cautious when granting permissions to the Temu app and web site to restrict the information you are sharing with it. In any other case, you would possibly get malware contaminated. To keep away from this, use CleanMyMac. It’s nice for app malware safety because it scans all of your Mac and detects potentials threats which you can take away immediately.
-
Conceal your IP handle whereas shopping, or briefly, use a VPN for personal shopping to cease internet trackers. My most trusted VPN instrument is ClearVPN, which makes it tremendous straightforward to change between totally different areas. ClearVPN makes use of the industry-standard encryption AES-256 which is trusted by monetary group, so that you will be certain in your on-line security. Small tip: You too can change your geolocation to take a look at native costs in a selected nation.
Why is Temu controversial?
From poor customer support, undelivered packages, and inexplicable prices, Temu has reportedly acquired 3000+ complaints to the Higher Enterprise Bureau and at present has a BBB buyer score of lower than 3 stars.
Some consultants from totally different international locations warn in opposition to utilizing merchandise offered on Temu as a result of they presumably comprise dangerous substances akin to phthalate plasticizers, lead, and cadmium.
The web is flooded with such controversies in opposition to Temu.
Is Temu protected and legit: The decision
The problems with Temu apply to any on-line retailer, together with even the massive ones like Amazon and Alibaba. As knowledgeable buyers, it’s as much as us to remain vigilant when utilizing the web, particularly when it requires your private info. So, to remain additional protected type any attainable threats use the next:
- Pareto Safety to immediately checck all of your safety settings from the menu bar.
- Secrets and techniques 4 to retailer and handle passwords and delicate info securely.
- Step Two to do 2FA protected and fast
- CleanMyMac to remain protected type any malware.
- ClearVPN to securely conceal your IP handle whereas shopping
With these highly effective apps you’ll be able to take pleasure in protected shopping and on-line procuring. You may get began with these (and 250+ extra) apps on Setapp with a 7-day free trial, so that you don’t need to strive them individually.
FAQ:
Are Temu free merchandise legit?
Temu’s free merchandise are respectable, however they’re often low-cost gadgets provided as a part of referral packages or promotions.
Is Temu a rip-off?
It’s protected to say that Temu isn’t a rip-off. However scammers have not gone unnoticed by its success. As with Amazon and different large on-line procuring websites, scammers can exploit its reputation, success, and enormous buyer base. Keep vigilant when procuring on-line on any web site and use a high-encrypted VPN like ClearVPN.
How do I do know if a scammer texte me?
Being conscious of the commonest Temu scams. These contains:
- Temu emails scams: Pretend emails promising reductions or free merchandise.
- Pretend Temu present card promotions: Well-liked on social media platforms.
- Temu affiliate hyperlink scams: Tricking folks into clicking a harmful hyperlink exhibiting attractive photos of money or luxurious gadgets.
- Temu counterfeits: Even a “verification badge” isn’t foolproof.
- Temu Xbox scams: Flooding Xbox customers with false guarantees of free present playing cards.
- Temu customer support impersonators: Scammers posing as Temu customer support representatives.
Is Temu a Chinese language firm?
Temu is owned by PDD Holdings, a Chinese language e-commerce firm. Whereas Temu says the corporate was based in Boston in 2022, PDD relies in Shanghai, China.
Why is Temu so low cost?
Temu is so low cost as a result of it sources the merchandise immediately from producers, reducing down on middlemen’s prices. It additionally maintains a low revenue margin and infrequently slashes tariffs by delivery small packages which can be topic to “de minimis” import exemption.
Is it protected to order from Temu?
Temu is as protected to order from as different on-line shops. However it’s best to nonetheless concentrate on the dangers, like gadgets misplaced in transit, stolen out of your doorstep, or damaged or poor-quality gadgets, and significantly be cautious about how Temu handles your information. To remain protected on-line, use ClearVPN.
