Savvy shopper shares unusual tactic she uses to dodge scams in Temu!
- Replies 32
In the digital age, where online shopping has become as commonplace as a trip to the local supermarket, the convenience of clicking to purchase can sometimes be overshadowed by the lurking threat of cyber scams and data privacy concerns.
However, fear not, because there are ways to navigate these digital waters safely, and one Newcastle native has a peculiar yet effective strategy to share.
Kim Cowan, a self-proclaimed Temu enthusiast from Newcastle, NSW, became somewhat of a pioneer in crafting her own method to sidestep potential scammers on the increasingly popular shopping platform.
Temu, which has been around for just over a year, quickly became a go-to source for ultra-affordable household items, clothing, and more.
However, with great deals often comes great scepticism, especially following recent cybersecurity warnings that have put millions of shoppers on high alert.
During a segment with consumer expert Shaun White on the Sunrise show, Cowan revealed her unique approach to maintaining her online safety.
Her trick? She uses PayPal or Afterpay for transactions and makes a point of deleting the Temu app after each purchase.
‘I actually just Google first what I like and if I want to buy anything, I’ll download the app (for each purchase),’ Cowan explained.
‘I’ll go into the app then and purchase the items, but I will sit them in my cart for a couple of days. You will get an email to say that stock is low. So if I go on then, and I buy it, I pay by Afterpay or PayPal.’
‘I wait until I get a tracking number for Australia Post, then I delete the app,’ she continued.
While this method is not endorsed for shoppers with security concerns, it's an interesting tactic that underscores the lengths some consumers will go to protect their personal information.
It's worth noting that Cowan has snagged some impressive bargains through Temu, including dresses for around $40, which speaks to the allure of the platform's budget-friendly offerings.
‘The dresses, you’re not buying anything really over $40. This dress, $13.86. And I think it’s nice, it’s bright, it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s obviously what I like,’ Cowan said.
Temu's business model, which allows consumers to buy directly from manufacturers, certainly helps keep prices low; however, the recent scrutiny over security concerns cannot be ignored.
The company, owned by PDD Holdings and originally started in Shanghai before moving its headquarters to Ireland, has faced growing concerns about the data it collects from purchases.
Cybersecurity expert Susan McLean expressed her worries about the privacy risks for customers.
‘I think every time you use online purchases or online shopping, there is a risk—we’ve seen that with other platforms being hacked over the years,’ she said.
‘We know that Temu, for example, is collecting a lot of data—it’s not hard to find that out.’
‘But the problem is people simply download the app and click “I accept” without understanding what they’re actually accepting,’ she added.
McLean also criticised the bombardment of customers with follow-up emails post-purchase.
‘I think that is one of their methods of keeping you engaged,’ she speculated.
‘Once you’ve made that one purchase, then you are bombarded, and it’s in the hope that the next product they send you might spike an interest.’
In response to these concerns, Temu stated that it does not sell customer data and that its data practices are ‘in line with industry standards’.
‘Temu collects information for the sole purpose of providing and enhancing its e-commerce service to users. Temu does not ask for system permissions to access things like your photos, contacts, or location. Temu does not share financial data with vendors,’ the company explained.
‘At Temu, we prioritise the protection of privacy and are transparent about our data practices.’
Temu stated that it collaborates with its online marketplace sellers to eliminate items that do not correspond to their descriptions.
‘Temu is an online marketplace connecting consumers directly with manufacturers. We work closely with these sellers to ensure that their products are as described, and we have a comprehensive vetting, monitoring and reporting system to ensure that non-compliant products are identified and promptly taken down at any stage of the purchase journey,’ Temu added.
Temu boasts over 80,000 suppliers and stands as the rapidly expanding online retail leader in Australia.
Introduced to the Australian market in April 2023, the app has swiftly ascended to become the eighth-largest online retail brand based on audience size.
Ipsos data revealed that in June alone, Temu garnered over 9.2 million registered users.
Have you tried buying a product from Temu? Have you ever encountered a scam, or do you have your own unique methods for ensuring your online shopping is secure? Share your stories and advice in the comments below!
However, fear not, because there are ways to navigate these digital waters safely, and one Newcastle native has a peculiar yet effective strategy to share.
Kim Cowan, a self-proclaimed Temu enthusiast from Newcastle, NSW, became somewhat of a pioneer in crafting her own method to sidestep potential scammers on the increasingly popular shopping platform.
Temu, which has been around for just over a year, quickly became a go-to source for ultra-affordable household items, clothing, and more.
However, with great deals often comes great scepticism, especially following recent cybersecurity warnings that have put millions of shoppers on high alert.
Kim Cowan, shared her method to avoid scams when buying from Temu during a segment on the Sunrise show. Credits: Facebook / Sunrise
During a segment with consumer expert Shaun White on the Sunrise show, Cowan revealed her unique approach to maintaining her online safety.
Her trick? She uses PayPal or Afterpay for transactions and makes a point of deleting the Temu app after each purchase.
‘I actually just Google first what I like and if I want to buy anything, I’ll download the app (for each purchase),’ Cowan explained.
‘I’ll go into the app then and purchase the items, but I will sit them in my cart for a couple of days. You will get an email to say that stock is low. So if I go on then, and I buy it, I pay by Afterpay or PayPal.’
‘I wait until I get a tracking number for Australia Post, then I delete the app,’ she continued.
While this method is not endorsed for shoppers with security concerns, it's an interesting tactic that underscores the lengths some consumers will go to protect their personal information.
It's worth noting that Cowan has snagged some impressive bargains through Temu, including dresses for around $40, which speaks to the allure of the platform's budget-friendly offerings.
‘The dresses, you’re not buying anything really over $40. This dress, $13.86. And I think it’s nice, it’s bright, it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s obviously what I like,’ Cowan said.
Temu's business model, which allows consumers to buy directly from manufacturers, certainly helps keep prices low; however, the recent scrutiny over security concerns cannot be ignored.
The company, owned by PDD Holdings and originally started in Shanghai before moving its headquarters to Ireland, has faced growing concerns about the data it collects from purchases.
Cybersecurity expert Susan McLean expressed her worries about the privacy risks for customers.
‘I think every time you use online purchases or online shopping, there is a risk—we’ve seen that with other platforms being hacked over the years,’ she said.
‘We know that Temu, for example, is collecting a lot of data—it’s not hard to find that out.’
‘But the problem is people simply download the app and click “I accept” without understanding what they’re actually accepting,’ she added.
McLean also criticised the bombardment of customers with follow-up emails post-purchase.
‘I think that is one of their methods of keeping you engaged,’ she speculated.
‘Once you’ve made that one purchase, then you are bombarded, and it’s in the hope that the next product they send you might spike an interest.’
In response to these concerns, Temu stated that it does not sell customer data and that its data practices are ‘in line with industry standards’.
‘Temu collects information for the sole purpose of providing and enhancing its e-commerce service to users. Temu does not ask for system permissions to access things like your photos, contacts, or location. Temu does not share financial data with vendors,’ the company explained.
‘At Temu, we prioritise the protection of privacy and are transparent about our data practices.’
Temu stated that it collaborates with its online marketplace sellers to eliminate items that do not correspond to their descriptions.
‘Temu is an online marketplace connecting consumers directly with manufacturers. We work closely with these sellers to ensure that their products are as described, and we have a comprehensive vetting, monitoring and reporting system to ensure that non-compliant products are identified and promptly taken down at any stage of the purchase journey,’ Temu added.
Temu boasts over 80,000 suppliers and stands as the rapidly expanding online retail leader in Australia.
Introduced to the Australian market in April 2023, the app has swiftly ascended to become the eighth-largest online retail brand based on audience size.
Ipsos data revealed that in June alone, Temu garnered over 9.2 million registered users.
.png){kind=icon}
