Is Temu Safe in 2026? Honest Security & Privacy Assessment

Is Temu Safe in 2026?

Quick Verdict: Temu is generally safe for basic transactions — you’ll receive real products and your payments are encrypted. However, Temu’s aggressive data collection practices have triggered lawsuits from multiple U.S. state attorneys general, and a $2 million FTC penalty in September 2025 raises real transparency concerns. Product quality remains a gamble.

Safety Rating: 5.5/10 Main Risk: Extensive data collection with unresolved privacy lawsuits alleging the app functions as spyware. Our Advice: If you shop on Temu, use a virtual card or PayPal, enable 2FA, and avoid granting unnecessary app permissions.

Last verified: February 2026

---

Temu Safety Scorecard

Category	Rating	Details
Data Privacy	❌ High Risk	Multiple state AG lawsuits allege excessive data harvesting; app permissions far exceed shopping needs
Payment Security	✅ Strong	PCI DSS-compliant encrypted payments; supports PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay
Scam Risk	⚠️ Moderate	Third-party sellers enable counterfeit goods and bait-and-switch tactics; phishing scams exploit Temu’s brand
Product Quality	⚠️ Inconsistent	Items range from decent bargains to products that fail basic safety tests
Account Security	⚠️ Weak Defaults	2FA available but not enforced; only 12% of accounts have it enabled per NCC Group’s 2025 audit
Customer Support	⚠️ Mixed	24/7 live chat exists but Trustpilot reviews consistently report unresolved tickets and bot-like responses
Legal Compliance	❌ Under Scrutiny	$2M FTC penalty (Sept 2025); active lawsuits from Arkansas, Nebraska, Arizona, and Kentucky AGs
Overall	5.5/10	Functional marketplace with serious unresolved privacy and transparency concerns

---

What Is Temu?

Temu is an online marketplace launched in September 2022 by PDD Holdings (NASDAQ: PDD), the same Chinese commerce group behind Pinduoduo, one of China’s largest e-commerce platforms. PDD Holdings is valued at approximately $128 billion and is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, though its operations are deeply rooted in China.

The platform connects consumers directly with manufacturers — primarily based in China — to offer products at prices typically 60–80% below traditional retailers. This direct-to-factory model eliminates middlemen and traditional retail markups.

Temu now operates in over 90 countries, with the United States representing its largest market outside of China (over 40% of global app downloads in 2025, according to Business of Apps). The platform surpassed 100 million active U.S. users within its first year and was the world’s most downloaded shopping app in July 2025 with 27 million global downloads that month alone. In 2024, Temu began onboarding U.S.-based sellers to complement its overseas supply chain, enabling faster local delivery options.

Data Privacy: What Temu Collects — ❌ High Risk

This is where Temu’s safety story gets genuinely alarming. According to lawsuits filed by the attorneys general of Arkansas (June 2024), Nebraska (June 2025), Arizona (2025), and Kentucky (July 2025), the Temu app allegedly goes far beyond standard e-commerce data collection.

The Nebraska AG’s complaint alleges that Temu’s app, once downloaded, secretly installs software that bypasses device security and grants unrestricted access to sensitive phone data — including information from other apps, precise location, microphone, and camera access — without meaningful user consent. The complaint states the app is “purposely designed to evade front-end security review” using multiple layers of encryption to shield its processes from forensic inspection.

The Arizona AG’s lawsuit goes further, alleging that Temu’s code is designed to edit itself after being downloaded to a consumer’s phone, potentially allowing it to exploit personal data in ways that are difficult to detect or audit.

Temu’s privacy policy explicitly permits the collection of device identifiers, browsing behavior across non-Temu sites, and partial contact list access. Independent audits confirmed the app collects SDK integrations that track activity beyond the platform itself.

However, there is a counterpoint worth noting: a November 2025 study by Tenscope reviewing the privacy practices of the top 100 U.S. shopping apps ranked Temu as the seventh least invasive app, with an invasiveness score of just 2 out of 100. A July 2025 report from the UK consumer group Which? found that Temu requested fewer permissions than many other popular Android shopping apps. Temu’s app has also been certified by DEKRA, a German testing institute, for meeting the MASA cybersecurity standard.

The contradiction between what state attorneys general allege in court filings and what independent testing firms report creates a genuinely confusing picture for consumers. The lawsuits remain ongoing, and Temu has categorically denied all allegations of wrongdoing.

What Temu collects (per its privacy policy and legal filings):

• Device identifiers, IP address, and approximate location data
• Browsing behavior including activity on non-Temu websites via SDK integrations
• Information about other apps installed on your device
• Contact list data (if granted during onboarding)
• Standard shopping data: purchase history, search queries, payment information

How this compares: Amazon and other major U.S. retailers also collect extensive data, but the key difference is jurisdictional — PDD Holdings is subject to Chinese law, which can compel data sharing with the government. Multiple AG lawsuits cite this as a fundamental concern.

Dimension verdict: ❌ High Risk — The volume of active lawsuits and the severity of allegations make this Temu’s most critical weakness.

Payment Security: Is Your Money Safe? — ✅ Strong

Temu’s payment infrastructure is one of its strongest safety points. The platform uses encryption protocols that comply with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), meaning your card information is encrypted during transactions.

Temu supports a wide range of secure payment methods: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Afterpay/Affirm for “Buy Now, Pay Later” purchases. The availability of third-party payment processors like PayPal is important because it adds an additional layer of buyer protection — you can dispute charges through PayPal without relying solely on Temu’s customer service.

That said, there are documented complaints. Users on Reddit and review platforms have reported unauthorized charges appearing on their cards after shopping on Temu. While some of these may be authorization holds (which Temu’s support page addresses), others appear to be legitimate fraud. This is why security experts consistently recommend using a virtual card, prepaid card, or PayPal instead of entering your primary credit card directly.

Buyer protection policies include:

• Full refunds for undelivered, damaged, or misrepresented orders
• Free returns on most items within 90 days (some sellers limit to 45 or 60 days)
• Price match policy within 30 days of purchase
• Refunds typically processed within two business days

These policies are more generous than Amazon’s standard 30-day return window, though the actual experience of getting a refund depends heavily on the specific seller and how responsive Temu’s support team is.

One caution with Affirm/Buy Now Pay Later: Temu doesn’t verify item authenticity before funds go to sellers. As a result, you could end up paying off installments on counterfeit or non-functional goods, with Affirm holding you responsible for the financing regardless of product quality.

Dimension verdict: ✅ Strong — The payment infrastructure itself is solid, but use PayPal or a virtual card as an extra precaution.

Scam Risk: Common Temu Scams — ⚠️ Moderate

Temu itself is not a scam — it’s a legitimate, publicly traded company. But the platform’s massive scale and third-party seller model create fertile ground for scams both on and off the app. Here are the most common ones, based on reports from Trend Micro, NordVPN, and Norton/LifeLock:

1. Phishing texts and emails: Scammers impersonate Temu by sending fake messages about package issues, account problems, or refund opportunities. These messages contain phishing links that harvest your login credentials and payment information. They often use urgency language like “your package couldn’t be delivered” or “your account will be suspended.”

2. Fake Temu websites: Fraudulent sites mimic Temu’s interface with near-identical URLs (often with minor misspellings). These copycat sites capture payment and personal data. They’re promoted through social media ads and phishing emails.

3. Counterfeit and misrepresented products: Because Temu relies on third-party sellers, some vendors advertise high-quality images but ship inferior products. Items may look nothing like the listing. In 2024 and 2025, independent investigations found items that failed basic safety tests — including children’s products in Seoul containing toxic chemicals above legal limits, and fake car seats that didn’t meet U.S. safety standards.

4. Gift card and promo code scams: Social media promotions claim to offer free Temu gift cards or exclusive promo codes in exchange for completing surveys or sharing personal information. These promotions are almost always fraudulent and designed to harvest data.

5. Brushing scams: Sellers send unsolicited packages to random addresses to inflate sales numbers and generate fake positive reviews. If you receive a Temu package you didn’t order, your personal information may have been compromised.

6. Fake customer service: Scammers pose as Temu support representatives through social media, email, or SMS, requesting account details or payment info to “resolve issues.”

Dimension verdict: ⚠️ Moderate — The platform is legitimate, but third-party scams are widespread. Vigilance is required.

Account Security: How Well Does Temu Protect You? — ⚠️ Weak Defaults

Temu offers two-factor authentication (2FA), but the problem is in the defaults. According to NCC Group’s 2025 e-commerce platform audit, Temu earned a “Medium Risk” rating — not because of data breaches, but because of insufficient 2FA enforcement. Only about 12% of Temu accounts have 2FA enabled, and the platform does not prompt or require it, even after repeated failed login attempts.

The password reset process relies solely on SMS verification, which makes it vulnerable to SIM-swap attacks — a growing method of account takeover.

On the positive side, there have been no confirmed large-scale data breaches of Temu’s systems as of February 2026. This is notable for a platform of its size. Temu’s app has been certified by DEKRA for meeting the MASA cybersecurity standard, and independent testing by Cure53 has reviewed its infrastructure.

However, the class action lawsuits in New York and Illinois allege that Temu’s app itself functions as a data-harvesting tool — effectively arguing that the security threat comes from the platform’s own code rather than external hackers.

Dimension verdict: ⚠️ Weak Defaults — The infrastructure appears solid, but user-facing security settings prioritize conversion over protection.

Customer Support: Can You Get Help? — ⚠️ Mixed

Temu provides 24/7 customer support through live chat on its app and website, as well as through social media channels. However, it does not offer a phone support line or publish official support hours.

In terms of policy, Temu was named to USA TODAY’s 2025 America’s Best Customer Service List, which suggests some positive experiences. The platform’s refund policies on paper are consumer-friendly: full refunds for undelivered, damaged, or misrepresented items, with a 90-day return window.

The reality on review platforms tells a different story. On Trustpilot, Temu holds a 2/5 rating from over 47,000 reviews. On Sitejabber, the rating is 2/5 from approximately 1,760 reviews. Common complaints include: customer service representatives providing generic, bot-like responses; support tickets being closed without resolution (sometimes multiple times for the same issue); difficulty obtaining refunds for clearly defective items; and extremely slow response times on complex issues.

Many users report a frustrating cycle: open a ticket, receive an automated response, ticket closed without resolution, reopen, repeat. The gap between Temu’s stated policies and users’ actual experiences of claiming those policies is a significant trust issue.

For comparison, Amazon has a Trustpilot score of 1.7/5, which is actually lower than Temu — but Amazon offers phone support, a more established dispute resolution process, and a longer track record of honoring buyer protections.

Dimension verdict: ⚠️ Mixed — Policies are generous on paper, but enforcement is inconsistent and support quality varies widely.

Legal & Regulatory: Where Does Temu Stand? — ❌ Under Scrutiny

Temu’s legal landscape in the United States has intensified significantly through 2025.

FTC action (September 2025): The Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice brought the first-ever enforcement action under the INFORM Consumers Act against Temu. The company agreed to pay a $2 million civil penalty for failing to provide consumers with required transparency tools: no telephonic mechanism for reporting suspicious seller activity, missing seller identity disclosures on gamified shopping features, and hard-to-find seller information across the platform.

State attorney general lawsuits: As of early 2026, at least four states have filed lawsuits against Temu:

• Arkansas (June 2024) — First state to sue, alleging data privacy violations and deceptive practices. Temu has submitted multiple motions to dismiss; Arkansas formally opposed the most recent motion in August 2025.
• Nebraska (June 2025) — Alleges the app functions as malware, harvests data from minors, enables IP infringement, and involves forced labor.
• Arizona (2025) — Alleges the app secretly infiltrates devices, misappropriates intellectual property of Arizona brands, and uses forced labor.
• Kentucky (July 2025) — Alleges secret collection of personally identifiable information and code designed to evade forensic detection.

International regulatory actions:

• The Netherlands banned Temu’s targeted ads to children under 16 in March 2025.
• Belgium’s Data Protection Authority issued a formal reprimand in January 2026 for unlawful biometric data harvesting via Temu’s “Try-On” AR feature.
• EU researchers found that 18 of 19 toys purchased on Temu violated safety rules.
• Seoul authorities discovered children’s products on Temu with toxic chemicals exceeding legal limits.

De minimis exemption: In May 2025, the U.S. government suspended the de minimis trade exemption for China, which previously allowed packages under $800 to enter the country duty-free. This change directly impacts Temu’s pricing model and has prompted the company to accelerate its shift toward U.S.-based warehouses and domestic sellers.

Class action lawsuits: Multiple class action suits are pending in New York and Illinois federal courts, alleging the Temu app collects personal and biometric data without consent and embeds spyware-like functionality. A New York federal judge ruled in September 2025 that some claims must go to arbitration.

Temu categorically denies all allegations of wrongdoing across these proceedings, stating the claims are based on an unsubstantiated report by a short-selling firm with commercial interest in spreading negative information.

Dimension verdict: ❌ Under Scrutiny — The volume of simultaneous legal actions from federal regulators, state attorneys general, and international authorities is significant and ongoing.

Red Flags When Using Temu

Watch out for these warning signs that indicate a potential problem:

1. Products priced suspiciously below manufacturing cost — If an electronic device or branded-looking item costs less than the raw materials would, it’s likely counterfeit or dangerously low-quality. Seoul authorities found children’s products on Temu containing lead and toxic phthalates above legal limits, and investigations in 2025 uncovered fake car seats that failed U.S. safety standards. Never buy safety-critical items (car seats, helmets, electronics that plug in, children’s toys) from unverified Temu sellers.

2. Sellers without a blue “Temu Verified” checkmark — As of early 2026, only about 39% of active Temu listings are part of the “Verified Seller Plus” program. Products from unverified sellers have weaker return protections and a higher likelihood of quality issues. Before purchasing, tap the seller name beneath a product listing — if it shows “Temu Verified” with a blue checkmark and “Ships from U.S. Warehouse,” your delivery speed and return eligibility improve significantly.

3. Unsolicited texts or emails claiming to be from Temu — Phishing campaigns using Temu’s brand have surged. Messages about “undelivered packages,” “account suspensions,” or “exclusive promo codes” that include links are almost always scams. Temu will never ask for your password, full credit card number, or Social Security number via text or email. If in doubt, open the official Temu app directly — never click links in unsolicited messages.

4. Gamified shopping experiences pushing impulse buys — Temu’s spin wheels, coupon games, and countdown timers are designed to create urgency and override careful decision-making. The FTC’s September 2025 enforcement action specifically cited Temu’s gamified features for lacking proper seller disclosures and reporting mechanisms until late 2024. Treat gamified deals with extra skepticism — the “discount” you’re seeing may not be a real markdown from a legitimate price.

5. Reviews that all sound generic or overly positive — Fake review manipulation is a documented problem on Temu. Look for “Verified Purchase” labels, reviews that include specific details and photos, and patterns of complaints. If a product has hundreds of 5-star reviews but the language is repetitive or vague (“great product, love it, fast shipping” repeated), those reviews may be manufactured. Cross-reference with reviews on other platforms when possible.

6. Requests to communicate or pay outside the Temu platform — Any seller asking you to complete a transaction via WhatsApp, email, wire transfer, or gift cards is running a scam. Temu’s buyer protections only apply to purchases made through the official platform. Going off-platform eliminates your ability to dispute charges or get refunds.

How to Use Temu Safely: 8 Actionable Tips

1. Use PayPal, Apple Pay, or a virtual card — never your primary debit card. Third-party payment processors add a layer of buyer protection between Temu and your bank account. Services like Privacy.com let you generate disposable virtual card numbers with spending limits, so even if your card details are compromised, damage is limited.

2. Enable two-factor authentication immediately. Open the Temu app → tap “You” (profile) → Settings → Account Security → Two-Factor Authentication. Only 12% of Temu accounts have 2FA enabled. Activating it is the single most effective step to prevent unauthorized account access.

3. Deny unnecessary app permissions. On Android: Settings → Apps → Temu → Permissions. On iOS: Settings → Temu. Revoke access to your contacts, camera, microphone, and location unless you are actively using a feature that requires them (like scanning a return QR code). Temu does not need access to your contacts or microphone to function as a shopping app.

4. Never buy safety-critical products on Temu. This includes car seats, children’s toys for ages 0–3, electrical items that plug into mains power, supplements, and cosmetics applied near eyes or mouth. Investigations across the U.S., EU, and South Korea have repeatedly found Temu products in these categories failing safety standards.

5. Filter by “Ships from local warehouse” and “Temu Verified” sellers. Products shipped from U.S.-based warehouses arrive faster, are easier to return, and are more likely to comply with domestic safety regulations. Verified sellers have been vetted to a higher standard than the general marketplace.

6. Read reviews with a critical eye — focus on 2- and 3-star reviews. These “middle ground” reviews are the most useful because they typically come from real buyers offering balanced feedback. Filter reviews by “With Photos” to see what the product actually looks like versus the listing images.

7. Monitor your bank statements after every Temu purchase. Multiple users on Reddit and review platforms report unauthorized charges appearing after Temu orders. Set up transaction alerts with your bank so you’re notified immediately of any charge, and dispute unfamiliar transactions within 60 days.

8. Use a separate email address for your Temu account. Create a dedicated email (via Gmail, Proton Mail, or any provider) exclusively for Temu. This isolates any potential data exposure from your primary email — which is likely linked to your banking, work, and social media accounts.

Safer Alternatives to Temu

If Temu’s privacy concerns or product quality risks worry you, consider these alternatives that offer stronger protections:

• Amazon: Higher prices, but far more robust buyer protection, a proven A-to-Z Guarantee, phone support, and stricter seller vetting. Best for electronics, safety-critical products, and items where quality consistency matters.
• eBay: Offers a Money Back Guarantee on most items, established dispute resolution, and a long track record of handling third-party seller issues. Useful for finding deals on both new and used items with more transparency about seller identity.
• AliExpress: Similar direct-from-China model but with a longer track record (launched 2010), generally more transparent seller reviews, and an established buyer protection program. Prices are comparable to Temu on many items. Note: AliExpress shares similar data jurisdiction concerns as it is owned by Alibaba Group.
• Walmart Marketplace: U.S.-based with strong consumer protections, in-store return options, and stricter seller requirements than Temu. Prices are competitive on household goods and basics.

For shoppers specifically concerned about privacy, pairing any marketplace with a reputable VPN service can add a layer of protection by masking your IP address and encrypting your browsing activity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Temu safe to use in 2026?

Yes, but with significant caveats. Temu is a functioning e-commerce platform where millions of transactions complete successfully every day — your payments are encrypted, and most orders arrive as expected. However, multiple U.S. state attorneys general have filed lawsuits alleging that the app secretly harvests extensive personal data beyond what is necessary for shopping. The FTC fined Temu $2 million in September 2025 for transparency failures. If you choose to use Temu, protect yourself by enabling 2FA, using PayPal or a virtual card, and restricting app permissions on your phone.

Is Temu legit or a scam?

Temu is a legitimate company. It is operated by Whaleco Inc., a subsidiary of PDD Holdings (NASDAQ: PDD), a publicly traded company valued at approximately $128 billion. Temu is not a scam in the traditional sense — it sells real products and processes real payments. However, the platform hosts third-party sellers, some of whom engage in deceptive practices like selling counterfeit goods, misrepresenting product quality, and manipulating reviews. The platform itself is real, but individual transactions carry varying levels of risk depending on the seller.

Does Temu sell your data?

Temu’s privacy policy states it collects a wide range of personal data and may share it with third parties for advertising and operational purposes. Multiple state attorney general lawsuits allege Temu’s data collection goes far beyond what is disclosed — including harvesting information about other apps on your device, tracking activity across non-Temu websites, and accessing contacts without meaningful consent. Because PDD Holdings is subject to Chinese law, which can compel companies to share user data with the government, the data jurisdiction concern is real and unresolved. Temu denies these allegations.

Has Temu ever been hacked?

No confirmed large-scale data breach of Temu’s systems has been publicly reported as of February 2026. Temu’s app has been certified by DEKRA for meeting the MASA cybersecurity standard, and its infrastructure has been reviewed by security firm Cure53. However, class action lawsuits in New York and Illinois allege that the app itself functions as a data-harvesting tool — effectively arguing the security threat comes from Temu’s own code rather than external attackers. Individual users have reported unauthorized credit card charges after shopping on Temu, though it is unclear whether these result from Temu’s systems or from separate phishing scams exploiting the brand.

Can you get scammed on Temu?

Yes, scams associated with Temu are well-documented. The most common include phishing texts and emails impersonating Temu, fake websites mimicking the platform, counterfeit products from unverified sellers, fraudulent gift card promotions on social media, and brushing scams where unsolicited packages are sent to inflate seller reviews. To minimize risk, stick to verified sellers with blue checkmarks, use secure payment methods like PayPal, never click links in unsolicited messages, and monitor your bank statements for unauthorized charges after purchases.

Is Temu safe for kids and teens?

No — this is a serious concern. The Nebraska and Kentucky attorney general lawsuits specifically allege that Temu harvests data from minors without parental consent. The platform’s gamified shopping interface — with spin wheels, countdown timers, and reward mechanics — is designed in ways that closely resemble mobile games, which critics describe as “dark patterns” that exploit younger users’ impulse-control vulnerabilities. The Netherlands banned Temu’s targeted advertising to children under 16 in March 2025. Parents should not allow children or teens to use the Temu app without close supervision, and ideally should handle all transactions through their own protected accounts.

Should I give Temu my credit card?

No — not directly. Use PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or a virtual/prepaid card instead. These methods create a buffer between Temu and your actual financial information. If fraud occurs, it is much easier to dispute a PayPal transaction or cancel a virtual card than to recover funds from a compromised primary credit or debit card. Multiple users across Reddit, Trustpilot, and the BBB have reported unauthorized charges following Temu purchases, making this precaution essential rather than optional.

Is Temu safe to use with a VPN?

Yes, and it is actually recommended by multiple cybersecurity experts. A VPN encrypts your internet connection and masks your IP address, which limits the amount of data Temu (and its third-party tracking SDKs) can collect about your browsing habits and location. A VPN does not protect against all data collection — Temu can still gather data through app permissions and in-app activity — but it adds a meaningful privacy layer, especially when shopping on public Wi-Fi networks. <!– lien interne Axis : /cybersecurity/vpn/best-vpn-services/ –>

What happens if you get scammed on Temu?

First, report the issue through Temu’s in-app customer service (live chat). Request a refund under their Purchase Protection Program — you’re eligible for a full refund if items arrive damaged, don’t match the listing, or are never delivered. If Temu’s support does not resolve the issue, escalate through your payment provider: file a PayPal dispute or initiate a chargeback through your credit card issuer. For broader fraud, file a complaint with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and with the BBB. You can also report to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) if the financial loss is significant.

Is Temu legal in the United States?

Yes, Temu operates legally in the United States. It is registered as Whaleco Inc. and operates through established logistics partners including UPS, FedEx, and USPS. However, operating legally and operating without controversy are different things. The FTC fined Temu $2 million in September 2025 for INFORM Act violations, and attorneys general in at least four states have active lawsuits against the company. No state or federal authority has moved to ban the app in the U.S., though the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition with China has proposed legislation (H.R. 2287) that would require Temu to disclose supply chain origins for electronics sold above $25.

Does Temu use forced labor?

This is an unresolved but serious allegation. The Nebraska, Arizona, and Kentucky attorney general lawsuits all include accusations that Temu’s supply chain involves forced labor, citing a 2023 Los Angeles Times investigation and the U.S. House Select Committee on the CCP’s interim findings on fast fashion and the Uyghur genocide. In February 2025, the Trump administration reportedly considered adding Temu and Shein to the U.S. forced labor entity list, though this had not occurred as of late 2025. Temu has not publicly addressed these allegations in detail. The opacity of its supply chain makes independent verification extremely difficult.

How long does Temu shipping take in 2026?

Shipping times depend on whether the product ships from a local U.S. warehouse or from overseas. Items from U.S.-based warehouses can arrive in 1–7 business days. Items shipped directly from China typically take 10–25 days, though some users report delays of a month or longer. The end of the de minimis trade exemption in May 2025 has increased customs processing for China-shipped goods, potentially adding further delays. Temu provides compensation credits if delivery exceeds the latest estimated date — these are automatically applied within 48 hours after the deadline passes, according to Temu’s published policies.

The Bottom Line: Is Temu Safe?

Temu is a functional, legitimate marketplace where millions shop successfully every day — but it carries more risk than most mainstream alternatives.

Use it if: You’re shopping for low-cost, non-essential items (phone cases, kitchen gadgets, craft supplies, seasonal decor), you’re comfortable with variable product quality, and you take active steps to protect your data and payment information.

Avoid it if: You need safety-critical products (children’s items, car accessories, electronics that plug into mains power), you’re highly concerned about data privacy, or you prefer consistent product quality and reliable customer support.

Protect yourself by:

1. Using PayPal or a virtual card — never your primary debit card
2. Enabling 2FA and restricting all unnecessary app permissions
3. Sticking to Temu Verified sellers shipping from U.S. warehouses

Our Safety Rating: 5.5/10