New York – The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning consumers about a new scam circulating on TikTok.
The BBB Scam Tracker, a free online tool people can use to report suspected fraudulent activity, has received multiple reports of an online jewellery shopping scam on the popular social media platform.
“It’s a sneaky one. It starts with a disgruntled employee allegedly seeking revenge and ends with victims ordering hundreds of dollars worth of fake merchandise,” the organisation said.
Scrolling users will come across a TikTok video featuring a person claiming to be a recently fired employee of a high-end jewellery store.
One such TikTok video directs viewers to an online jewellery store called TruGala.
The scammer says they didn’t deserve to be fired and are angry about the situation.
In revenge, they share a “top secret employee discount code”. This code will supposedly give shoppers up to 100 per cent off their purchase.
The video claims that customers can get jewellery for free if they’re willing to pay for shipping.
One consumer reported that as they added more items to their cart, the shipping costs “disproportionately increased”.
“However, this still seems like a ‘deal’ because you are getting a 100 percent discount on (fake) jewellery that costs $100-200,” the consumer wrote.
There is no way to cancel the order, the shopper said, and there is no order confirmation email.
There are also no social media accounts, address or phone number for the jewellery store. The seller can only be contacted by email.
Those who fall for the scam, the BBB said, will not receive “high-end” jewellery. They may receive a “cheaply made knock-off” or nothing at all, in addition to losing the money spent on shipping.
“The current version of this scam involves a jewellery store, but watch out for other variations as scammers change their schemes to avoid detection,” the BBB said, adding that the scam could also work for other high-value items, such as electronics or designer handbags.
The BBB shared some tips for avoiding online shopping scams.
Don’t fall for deals that seem too good to be true, it warned.
“Scammers love to lure people in with this kind of bait. If a deal seems exceptionally good, remain sceptical,” the organisation said, adding that shoppers should thoroughly research a company before making a purchase, especially if it is an unfamiliar company.
The BBB recommends looking up the company’s website, physical address and contact information. Read customer reviews on third-party websites and look for comments left on the company’s social media pages.
Another helpful trick is to search for the company name followed by ‘scam’.
When shopping online anywhere, pay with a credit card, says the BBB, as this makes it easier to deal with fraudulent charges and can help shoppers get their money back if they have been scammed.
