Is Temu Safe?

Updated on April 7, 2025.

Since Temu is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), it is not as secure as other online marketplaces. BBB accreditation requires businesses to establish trust and demonstrate ethical advertising, honesty, transparency, integrity and a commitment to customer privacy. Because Temu lacks this certification, online shoppers should be cautious when purchasing from the platform.

Keep reading to learn more about Temu and tips to shop safely on the platform.

What is Temu?

Temu is an e-commerce platform founded in 2022 in Boston by a Chinese commerce group called PDD Holdings. Temu sells a range of affordable products from millions of brands and partners. With prices as low as $1 to $50, many of Temu’s items are knock-offs of name-brand products, which can result in lower quality. Temu offers a wide selection of products, including clothing, cosmetics, home decor, electronics, pet supplies and jewelry shipped from large Chinese vendors. While the low prices attract shoppers to Temu’s platform, they also raise questions and suspicion about Temu’s legitimacy.

Is it safe to order from Temu?

Although Temu isn’t accredited and offers very inexpensive items, it can still be safe to shop on the platform if you take the proper precautions. Most of the time, you will receive your order from Temu, though it may take 10 days or multiple weeks after your order has been marked as shipped. However, products sometimes don’t match their online descriptions, so it’s important to check reviews before purchasing anything from Temu. In the rare instance that you don’t receive your packages, you can request a refund.

Despite its legitimacy as a business, there are many concerns about Temu’s safety, specifically involving how the company handles customer data. The main controversy about Temu’s safety surrounds its parent company, Pinduoduo, which was accused of containing malware in 2023. While Pinduoduo is based in China, Temu operates in the United States, making it less of a privacy risk for customers. 

How to shop safely on Temu

You can shop safely on online marketplaces like Temu by visiting official websites, using strong passwords and being aware of common phishing scams. 

Shop on the Temu website instead of the app

Shopping on the Temu website is much safer than using the app, as most privacy concerns are related to Temu’s app. Even though the app is available in the App Store, using the website is generally more secure. If you shop on Temu’s website, you should use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to encrypt your data and secure your privacy.

Use a unique password for your Temu account

Avoid reusing passwords online, especially for your Temu account. Using weak or reused passwords makes it easier for cybercriminals to guess your password and access your private information. Create a password that’s just for your Temu account. It’s best to create a strong, unique password for every one of your accounts. This way, even if one account is compromised, your other accounts remain secure.

Hide your email address or create an alias

iPhone users can enhance their privacy on Temu by selecting the Hide My Email option when creating an account with your Apple ID. This feature produces a random email address that forwards to your inbox, protecting your actual email address.

For non-iPhone users, create a separate email address or set up an alias specifically for Temu. An alias forwards emails to your main inbox, protecting your personal email and filtering out spam. Many email providers allow you to create aliases through their settings.

Don’t link your accounts to Temu

Avoid linking your social media profiles or bank accounts to Temu. This additional layer of separation helps protect your personal information in the event of a data breach. If your accounts aren’t connected, cybercriminals will have a much more difficult time accessing sensitive details, including your financial data or private social media activity. This significantly reduces the risk of identity theft and fraud.

Carefully read reviews

Since some Temu products may not match their descriptions, it’s important to carefully read reviews of products you are interested in before making a purchase. Some companies incentivize users with free products or a small payment in exchange for positive reviews. Here are some red flags to watch out for when reading reviews on Temu:

• A disproportionate number of five-star reviews
• A sudden surge of reviews within a short period of time
• Whether the reviewer has left multiple reviews
• The use of technical jargon instead of more relatable feelings or personal experiences

Pay with a credit card instead of a debit card

When shopping on Temu, always use a credit card instead of a debit card. Credit cards offer better fraud protection than debit cards since the credit card company is responsible for covering fraudulent charges. However, if you become a victim of debit card fraud, the stolen funds come directly from your bank account and are much more challenging to recover. Make sure never to save your credit card information on Temu. If Temu suffers a data breach, your saved payment details could be exposed to cybercriminals, putting your financial information at risk.

Be cautious not to overpay for non-branded items

Temu offers a wide variety of products, but it’s important to avoid overpaying for non-branded items. When browsing, look for a blue checkmark next to a product. If a product has this, it’s branded. Items without a blue checkmark are sold by third-party vendors and are typically knockoffs of branded products. In general, avoid making large purchases on Temu, as there may be a greater risk of not receiving the highest quality item on the platform, regardless of the cost.

Stay safe when buying from Temu

Shop safely on Temu by following the recommendations above to protect your personal data from being stolen or shared. While Temu may not be BBB-accredited, these precautions can help you mitigate security risks. Always be cautious when making online purchases, regardless of a platform’s accreditation, and take the necessary steps to protect your information.