Online commerce through international platforms such as Shein has encouraged thousands of people to start shopping for fashion and accessories from the comfort of their homes. However, along with the rise of these portals, it is increasingly common to hear warnings about new forms of fraud affecting both experienced users and those making their first purchases.
In the last months, Dozens of consumers have reported fraud attempts related to alleged Shein shipments.Text messages, emails, and even WhatsApp calls impersonating official courier companies like Correo Argentino have generated concern and confusion, especially in countries where the store has established itself as a favorite.
How Shein scams work
One of the most repeated frauds begins when the user receives an SMS claiming to come from the national parcel serviceThe text usually reports a failed delivery attempt and requests the recipient to Make a payment through a link included in the same message to release the merchandise.
Clicking on the link redirects you to a website that mimics the official Shein and email design. There, the user is invited to complete a survey and provide personal and banking information, with the promise of unlocking the package or receiving a "mystery box" gift.
The real goal is to steal confidential information and sometimes sign the victim up for unwanted subscription services, where periodic charges are made without the person initially noticing.
Testimonies and scope of the problem
Journalist Daniela Chueke recounted on social media how she was almost a victim of this type of fraud.He received an SMS notifying him of two failed delivery attempts and that he would have to pay by card to complete the third. Before proceeding, he decided to contact the courier company directly, who confirmed that the message was completely fake and that it was a scam. phishing attempt.
This situation has been replicated among many other users, who share similar or identical experiences on social media. Cybercrime experts They claim that, although formal legal complaints aren't always filed, these practices are spreading rapidly, taking advantage of the lack of knowledge about how international shipping and order tracking work.
Reaction of the companies involved and authorities
Faced with the wave of fraudulent messages, Courier companies and platforms like Shein have reinforced their security recommendations.The Argentine Post Office, for example, reminds users that it never requests payments or confidential personal data via SMS, links, or social media messages. All official transactions should be carried out exclusively using verified company websites and channels.
Shein, for its part, warns its users about the importance of paying attention to URLs and being wary of any messages that don't come directly from the app or official website. Furthermore, The company usually reports on real promotional campaigns exclusively through its own channels., without external intermediaries.
Scam or just frustration with Shein's games and promotions?
Not everything that looks like a trap necessarily is one: Some of the most common criticisms revolve around the games, roulettes and mini-games that Shein itself launches. to encourage its customers to share links and invite friends to the platform. Although the mechanics can be frustrating and some users call it a scam, technically There is no scam as such as long as there is no request for payments outside the system.
In these cases, the worst thing that can happen is wasting time or feeling that the system is unfair, since many advertised prizes are almost impossible to obtain and require the participation of other users, which leads to unsuccessful code sharing and a feeling of being cheated.
Tips to avoid falling for Shein-related scams
- Never provide your bank or personal details. from links that arrive via SMS, WhatsApp, email or social networks, even if they appear official.
- Always check the sender from any communication regarding your shipments. If you have any questions, please log in to your Shein account or contact us through official channels.
- Do not make payments outside the official platform under no circumstance.
- Do not share your codes or links on unofficial websites or forums., as scams impersonating Shein to obtain personal information are being detected.
- Keep your software and apps updated and, if possible, enable two-step authentication on the platforms where you regularly shop.
What to do if you have received a suspicious message?
If you receive an SMS, email or notification asking you for payment or information to release a Shein order, Do not click on links or provide any dataAlways contact the official company through their website or the phone number listed on official channels. Companies never charge additional fees or request banking information using instant messaging or social media.
To protect yourself against fraudulent practices, remember to always communicate through official channels of the brand and avoid responding to unverifiable messages. Participate in promotions or games only through official platforms and always verify the URL before entering personal or banking information. Prevention is key to avoiding falling victim to increasingly sophisticated online scams.
