Medium riskSocial Media

TikTok Shop Scam

In this scam, a short-video shop or DM advertises cheap products or a 'special deal' but pushes you to pay through an outside link, sending counterfeits, nothing at all, or stealing your card details.

Quick verdict

Risk level
Medium risk
Scam type
Fake seller / off-platform phishing
Main red flag
A video-app deal that pushes you to pay through an outside link or messaging app.
What to do first
Keep payment inside the app's official checkout and avoid outside links from DMs.

What this scam usually looks like

In this scam, a short-video shop or DM advertises cheap products or a 'special deal' but pushes you to pay through an outside link, sending counterfeits, nothing at all, or stealing your card details.

Social media scams spread through direct messages, ads, hacked friends' accounts, and fake profiles. They range from account-takeover phishing and fake giveaways to investment and romance fraud, exploiting the trust and reach of your own network.

The single clearest warning sign to remember is this: A video-app deal that pushes you to pay through an outside link or messaging app. Keep payment inside the app's official checkout and avoid outside links from DMs.

Not sure this matches what you received? Compare it with the Social Media Shopping Ad Scam or the Fake Online Store Scam, browse the Social Media Scams guides, or paste the exact message into our free scam checker.

By the numbers

$1.4B
reported lost to fraud that began on social media in the US in 2023
Source: US Federal Trade Commission
Top channel
social media was among the most common ways scams reached people in 2023
Source: US Federal Trade Commission

Example message pattern

Example pattern, not a real report
Example pattern: 'This deal is only on our website, not in-app! 80% off today. Tap the link in bio and pay by bank transfer to claim before it sells out.'

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

Why this is a red flag: A video-app deal that pushes you to pay through an outside link or messaging app.

Red flags to watch for

  • Pressure to pay through an external link instead of the in-app checkout
  • Prices far below normal for popular products
  • Requests for bank transfer or gift cards rather than protected payment
  • Brand-new shops with no real reviews or history
  • DMs claiming you won a product and must pay shipping

What to do

  • Buy only through the app's official in-platform checkout
  • Check seller ratings, reviews, and how long the shop has existed
  • Use a payment method with buyer protection
  • Report sellers who push you to pay off-platform

If you already clicked or replied

  • If you paid off-platform, contact your bank or payment provider to dispute it
  • If you entered card details on a linked site, watch for or block charges
  • Keep screenshots of the listing and chat as evidence
  • Report the seller or account to the platform

What not to do

  • Do not pay through links sent in DMs or bios
  • Do not use bank transfer or gift cards for unknown shops
  • Do not trust a deal just because it has many views or likes

Similar scams

Medium risk Online Shopping

Social Media Shopping Ad Scam

This scam uses eye-catching, heavily discounted product ads in social media feeds to lure you to fake or dishonest online stores that take your payment and deliver nothing, or send a cheap counterfeit instead.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Online Shopping

Fake Online Store Scam

This scam sets up a convincing but fake store with very low prices, takes payment, and delivers nothing, a counterfeit, or a cheap substitute.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Medium risk Online Shopping

Knockoff Brand Store Scam

This scam runs a website posing as an official brand outlet or 'clearance' store. It sells counterfeit goods, or takes your payment for heavily discounted items and never ships anything genuine.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team

Frequently asked questions

Why do scam shops want me to leave the app?
In-app checkout has protections and oversight. Pushing you to an outside link or transfer removes those safeguards and makes refunds far harder.
The shop had lots of views. Is it trustworthy?
Views and likes can be bought or faked. Check genuine reviews, the shop's age, and whether payment stays within the app's protected checkout.
I paid by transfer to an outside site. Can I get a refund?
Contact your bank or payment provider quickly to try to dispute it, keep your evidence, and report the seller to the platform.
How can I shop safely on these apps?
Stick to official in-app checkout, use protected payment methods, and be wary of deals that require leaving the platform to pay.

Last reviewed June 2026 · Written & reviewed by the

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.