{"id":16810,"date":"2025-02-24T09:10:35","date_gmt":"2025-02-24T14:10:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/?post_type=is-it-scam&#038;p=16810"},"modified":"2025-02-24T09:10:36","modified_gmt":"2025-02-24T14:10:36","slug":"is-shein-a-scam","status":"publish","type":"is-it-scam","link":"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/is-it-scam\/is-shein-a-scam\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Shein a Scam?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h2>Table of Contents<\/h2><nav><ul><li><a href=\"#what-is-shein\">What Is Shein?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#is-shein-a-scam\">Is Shein a Scam?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#so-should-you-shop-on-shein\">So, Should You Shop On Shein?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#how-to-use-shein-safely\">How to Use Shein Safely<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re thinking of shopping on Shein, you need to know: Is Shein a scam?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Below, we explain whether Shein is a scam and discuss some steps you can take to improve your safety when shopping on this online platform.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-is-shein\">What Is Shein?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Shein is a fast-fashion e-commerce company that sells clothing, accessories, and lifestyle products.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"522\" src=\"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/shein-2-1024x522.png\" alt=\"Shein\" class=\"wp-image-16811\" srcset=\"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/shein-2-1024x522.png 1024w, https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/shein-2-300x153.png 300w, https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/shein-2-768x391.png 768w, https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/shein-2.png 1168w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s one of the largest fashion retailers today. It\u2019s also an online-only retailer (i.e., it has no physical stores).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The company was originally founded in 2008 in China as a drop-shipping company (a company that does not do its own designing or manufacturing) but became a fully integrated retailer by 2014. It has warehouses and supply chain operations all over the world.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Compared to traditional fashion brands, Shein is known for extremely low prices.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"is-shein-a-scam\">Is Shein a Scam?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>No, Shein is not a scam. It\u2019s a legitimate retailer that gets most of its products from China.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, it is known for product quality inconsistencies and long shipping times. Overall, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/femalefashionadvice\/comments\/ljknjh\/thoughts_on_shein\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">consensus online<\/a> seems to be that \u201cyou get what you pay for.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"734\" height=\"238\" src=\"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/sheinreddit.png\" alt=\"Shein Reddit feedback\" class=\"wp-image-16812\" srcset=\"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/sheinreddit.png 734w, https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/sheinreddit-300x97.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 734px) 100vw, 734px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>According to Shein\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/m.shein.com\/us\/Return-Policy-a-281.html?lang=us\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">return policy<\/a>, you can return most items within 30 days from their delivery date (though some products, like accessories and pet products, are non-returnable). If you receive a defective or damaged item, you need to contact Shein within 24 hours.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sheingroup.com\/our-business\/operating-responsibly\/#data-security-and-privacy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u2018Operating Responsibly\u2019 page<\/a>, Shein says it immediately globally removes products that are determined to violate compliance with safety requirements in any country\/jurisdiction. It also says it regularly conducts automated and manual checks on products.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Shein has been involved in quite a few controversies.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, even though it says it <em>\u201crespects and protects intellectual property (IP) rights,\u201d <\/em>it has been accused of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/chinas-fast-fashion-giant-shein-faces-dozens-of-lawsuits-alleging-design-theft-11656840601\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">stealing designs<\/a> from independent artists and major brands, with multiple lawsuits filed for copyright infringement.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A 2021 investigation by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation found <a href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/toxic-chemicals-in-shein-and-other-fast-fashion-clothing-2022-8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">unsafe levels<\/a> of lead, PFAs, and phthalates (chemicals connected to health problems) in children\u2019s and maternity clothing. However, other fast fashion brands were also found to have toxic chemicals in their clothes.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Shein\u2019s extremely low prices have resulted in questions about how Shein can produce merchandise so cheaply and suggestions of possible labor exploitation, unethical sourcing, or unfair business practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/time.com\/6247732\/shein-climate-change-labor-fashion\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Investigations<\/a> by advocacy groups and journalists revealed that Shein\u2019s clothing was produced in unsafe factories with poor working conditions. Workers reportedly had 17-hour shifts (earning as little as $20 per day) with pay deductions for mistakes. Many of them didn\u2019t have any contracts or minimum wage protections. A Channel 4 documentary exposed these conditions with undercover footage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After public backlash, Shein admitted to these labor violations, saying it launched an internal investigation into two suppliers with &#8220;unacceptable working conditions.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to its latest sustainability report, Shein found two cases of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/business\/article\/2024\/aug\/23\/shein-fashion-retailer-child-labour-supply-chain\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">child labor and minimum wage violations<\/a> in its supply chain in 2023.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the past, Shein said on its website that its factories were &#8220;certified&#8221; by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and complied with SA8000 fair labor standards.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, both ISO and Social Accountability International (SA8000\u2019s administrator) said Shein\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/business\/retail-consumer\/exclusive-chinese-retailer-shein-lacks-disclosures-made-false-statements-about-2021-08-06\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">claims were untrue<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>ISO said it does not certify companies. It only sets industry standards, and companies must hire external bodies for certification.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Social Accountability International said that Shein has never been SA8000-certified and has never had contact with the company.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Shein&#8217;s ultra-fast fashion model also contributes significantly to environmental degradation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Security<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In its<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sheingroup.com\/privacy-policy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> privacy policy<\/a>, Shein says it<em> \u201cmaintains physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards designed to guard and prevent misuse of your personal information\u201d <\/em>and that its security measures include \u201c<em>industry-standard physical, technical and administrative measures.\u201d <\/em>It does not describe what these measures are.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"858\" height=\"140\" src=\"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/sheinsecurityprecautions.png\" alt=\"Shein security precautions \" class=\"wp-image-16813\" srcset=\"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/sheinsecurityprecautions.png 858w, https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/sheinsecurityprecautions-300x49.png 300w, https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/sheinsecurityprecautions-768x125.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 858px) 100vw, 858px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>On its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sheingroup.com\/our-business\/operating-responsibly\/#data-security-and-privacy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u2018Operating Responsibly\u2019 page<\/a>, Shein says it aligns its systems and controls to the standards set by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the International Standards Organization (ISO), and the Payment Card Industry\u2019s Digital Security Standard (PCI DSS).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to Shein\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/datasafety?id=com.zzkko&amp;hl=en_GB\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Google Play page<\/a>, the Shein app encrypts your data in transit and has been independently validated against a global security standard. It also allows users to request that their data be deleted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"414\" src=\"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/sheinsecuritypractices.png\" alt=\"Shein security practices according to its Google Play page \" class=\"wp-image-16814\" srcset=\"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/sheinsecuritypractices.png 750w, https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/sheinsecuritypractices-300x166.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2018, Shein experienced <a href=\"https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/shein-notifies-customers-who-may-have-been-affected-by-data-breach-300717103.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a breach<\/a>. It was initially reported that the breach affected 6.42 million customers, with the intruders acquiring customers\u2019 email addresses and encrypted password credentials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, in 2022, Shein\u2019s parent company, Zoetop, was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/technology-63255661\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">fined $1.9 million<\/a> by the New York Attorney General for mishandling a 2018 data breach that actually exposed 39 million Shein accounts.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"254\" src=\"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/sheindatabreach-1024x254.png\" alt=\"Headline - &quot;Shein owner fined $1.9 for failing to notify 39M users of data breach&quot; \" class=\"wp-image-16815\" srcset=\"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/sheindatabreach-1024x254.png 1024w, https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/sheindatabreach-300x74.png 300w, https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/sheindatabreach-768x190.png 768w, https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/sheindatabreach.png 1211w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Privacy&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sheingroup.com\/privacy-policy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">privacy policy<\/a>, Shein outlines the kind of personal information it collects and for what purposes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, in order to provide you with their services, support, and service-related communications, it collects contact information (e.g., email address, phone number, etc.), location data at an IP address-based level, and communication history.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"842\" height=\"796\" src=\"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/sheindatacollection.png\" alt=\"Shein data collected, purpose, and legal basis for processing table \" class=\"wp-image-16817\" srcset=\"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/sheindatacollection.png 842w, https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/sheindatacollection-300x284.png 300w, https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/sheindatacollection-768x726.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 842px) 100vw, 842px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Shein says it may disclose or share your personal information within their corporate organization, with third-party service providers, with entities as necessary to maintain legal and regulatory compliance, with a buyer\/prospective buyer\/corporate affiliate\/other successor in the event of merger, restructuring, etc., and for any purpose with your content.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It can disclose your information without restriction in an aggregated\/anonymized form.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to Shein\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/datasafety?id=com.zzkko&amp;hl=en_GB\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Google Play page<\/a>, the Shein app may collect personal information, device or other IDs, app information and performance, app activity, financial information, and photos and videos.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"789\" height=\"693\" src=\"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/sheindatacollected-1.png\" alt=\"Data collected by Shein according to its Google Play page\" class=\"wp-image-16818\" srcset=\"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/sheindatacollected-1.png 789w, https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/sheindatacollected-1-300x263.png 300w, https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/sheindatacollected-1-768x675.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 789px) 100vw, 789px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The same page also says that the app may share personal information, device or other IDs, app information and performance, app activity, and photos and videos with other companies or organizations.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2023, it was reported that <a href=\"https:\/\/news.sophos.com\/en-us\/2023\/03\/10\/shein-shopping-app-goes-rogue-grabs-price-and-url-data-from-your-clipboard\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a bug in Shein\u2019s Android app<\/a> (version 7.9.2) caused it to periodically capture and transmit clipboard data to a remote server, which raised privacy concerns.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In January 2025, Austrian privacy group Noyb <a href=\"https:\/\/tribune.com.pk\/story\/2522536\/chinese-firms-tiktok-shein-xiaomi-face-eu-data-law-breach-claims\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">filed a complaint<\/a> against Shein and other Chinese firms for unlawfully transferring European users&#8217; data to China, violating the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"so-should-you-shop-on-shein\">So, Should You Shop On Shein?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Well, that depends entirely on your priorities when it comes to privacy, affordability, ethics, sustainability, and quality.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-to-use-shein-safely\">How to Use Shein Safely<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are some tips for a safer experience while shopping on Shein.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Read the reviews. <\/strong>Always read the reviews before you buy anything on Shein. If possible, avoid items with few or no reviews or those with only stock images.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Be cautious of unrealistic prices. <\/strong>Although Shein is known for affordable prices, if an item is significantly lower than similar products, the quality might be poor or the item may be counterfeit. Compare prices across similar listings to avoid this.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Use a secure payment method. <\/strong>Pay with PayPal or a credit card for added fraud protection.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Don\u2019t save payment details. <\/strong>Avoid saving payment details on Shein\u2019s website or app to reduce data security risks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Use their Shein website.<\/strong> If possible, shop through the Shein website instead of the app for better privacy control.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Turn off unnecessary permissions. <\/strong>Turn off unnecessary app permissions in your phone settings if you do end up downloading the Shein app.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Read the returns and refund policies. <\/strong>Shein allows returns, but some items are non-refundable, and return shipping costs can be high. Make sure you know the return window and refund conditions before buying an item on Shein.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Research materials before buying. <\/strong>Some Shein products have been found to contain unsafe chemicals.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Our guide to whether Shein is a scam.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":16811,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"class_list":["post-16810","is-it-scam","type-is-it-scam","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/is-it-scam\/16810","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/is-it-scam"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/is-it-scam"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16811"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16810"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}