BBB advises consumers to be safe when using Tik Tok Shop

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (KBSI) – The Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises consumers to follow tips for safe online shopping when using Tik Tok’s new e-commerce feature, Tik Tok Shop.

The video based social media app has a reputation for trend setting and is used often for marketing. Sprout Social estimates that more than half of users bought something after seeing it on the app.

Tik Tok removes products that violate their terms of service, however, scammers can occasionally be missed, according to Tik Tok.

According to the BBB, consumers should follow these tips when using Tik Tok Shop:

• Research the seller before you buy. Just because you see a product on TikTok doesn’t mean it’s legit or that the seller is trustworthy. Do your research:
  • Read comments and reviews. User comments and reviews are a great way to get a pulse check on new sellers. Check for any negative experiences. You can also use TikTok’s search bar to check to see if previous customers have uploaded videos of the products they purchased.
  • Check the seller’s website. Check for red flags of a scam website. Read reviews on the website if they’re available.
  • Check businesses with BBB. At BBB.org, you can search information about a business’ track record and their BBB rating to determine whether it’s safe to shop with them.
  • Check out the platform hosting the sellers. If you can’t find information about every individual seller, it can help to read about the app or website that hosts them (in this case, TikTok) to see if customers generally have good experiences.
• Protect your personal information. Read a site’s privacy policy before you shop – you can find TikTok’s here. TikTok also provides information about safety and purchase security in its press release about the new TikTok Shop. Always set strong passwords for your social media accounts, and avoid sharing personal information with strangers.
• Know the return policy. TikTok Shop’s return policy states that customers have 30 calendar days after a package is delivered to request a return or refund.
• Check if sellers are verified. If someone is selling brand-name items at outrageously low prices, it might be a scam. Check brand accounts to make sure they have a blue check mark symbol – this means TikTok has verified the account owner is who they say they are. Remember that if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
• Think before you buy. It’s great that TikTok shop is so convenient, but if you rush to buy something cool from a video, you might not stop to notice red flags. Pause before you buy and follow the above tips to make sure the seller and product are legitimate.
• Shop with a credit card. This makes it easier to dispute a transaction if something goes wrong.