Is Shein Safe? Your Guide to Safe Shopping

August 5, 2024 By Janne Smith No Comments 7 minutes

Affordable, fast fashion is taking the world by storm. That said, Shein contributes to both–rapid climate change and mass consumerism. However, the low prices may seem too good to be true, raising every consumer’s guard. If you’re new to Shein and highly TikTok-influenced, you might wonder, “Is Shein safe?”

Is Shein Safe

While most social media influencers advocate for this fashion side, it’s still important to see the other, concerning side of the picture. The products are mostly legit, but Shein has a darker side, which the impressively low prices make most users ignore. That’s all this article will be about. Find out “is Shein legit, does Shein steal your information, and ways for safe shopping. Let’s dive in!

Note: Your data is never safe online, and you must use cybersecurity tools to elevate your digital security standards. We recommend using FastestVPN for fool-proof data protection, especially when making online payments.

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What Is Shein Clothing?

While mindlessly scrolling through the Gram, it’s hard to ignore the Shein unboxing videos or your favorite influencer trying their best to hide the Shein tag. But if you’re new to it, Shein Clothing is a fast fashion brand that leverages AI to offer personalized recommendations bound to attract your attention, leading to impulsive purchases.

It offers a catalog of millions of fashion products for as low as $10! The designs are replicas of famous luxury brands, and they grew popular from social media “haul” videos. Moreover, the platform’s advanced SEO strategies, site accessibility, and captivating offerings are too hard to ignore. But, “Is Shein safe to order from?”

What Does Shein Sell?

Before getting to “Is Shein legit? And Is Shein safe to order from?” Let’s first understand what it is. Shein is a fast fashion platform that offers fashion and lifestyle products, i.e., garments and fashion accessories. To recapitulate, think of flowy dresses, fake Birkins, Cartier replicas, and so on. Using AI, it monitors user preferences and offers new product releases in a few days. On Shein, you always have the Big Brother watching.

Moreover, these alluring designs are quite affordable and might make you recheck the price twice before checking out. And what’s better than affordable products, standard shipping, and slay-worthy purchases? However, “Is Shein safe to order from?”

Is Shein Legit?

Shein is a legit platform you can use via the browser or app. This China-based store is now headquartered in Singapore, and it’s popular for offering trending items, such as replicated dresses, bags, watches, and much more. In addition to the store featuring trendy items, Shein largely focuses on user accessibility.

Placing orders is only a breeze. Moreover, its app only takes a few quick taps for your favorites to come to your doorstep. Also, with hundreds and thousands of influencers smiling for the gram or creating haul videos, Shein is legit.

Furthermore, when it comes to “Is Shein legit and Is Shein safe to order from?” It’s mostly about trusting the store with your payment information. Similar to swiping at your nearest fashion retailer, proceeding with card payments on Shien is very straightforward.

Wrapping up with the question “Is Shein safe,” it’s safe, but various ethical and product sustainability concerns spark debates about ordering from Shein. According to a detailed report by Public Eye, Shein has a 75-hour work week, low wages, and other dystopian labor laws. Meaning Shein is safe, but not the best place for your affordable, impulsive purchases.

Is It Safe to Purchase From Shein?

Wondering, “Is Shein safe to order from?” Shein itself is a trusted store to purchase from, but speaking of safety, you’re never safe online. With the black hats always on the lookout for their next pawn, it’s mostly your financial information under the radar.

However, using a trusted VPN, like the FastestVPN, elevates online security protection. Connecting to the VPN, all your data passes through an encrypted tunnel, and you get a new IP address. Your virtual location remains concealed, and you become almost intractable online. Meanwhile, other premium VPN features ensure you’re never a victim of cyber threats.

Here’s how to use FastestVPN when purchasing from Shein:

Go to FastestVPN>Pricing.
Get your preferred VPN plan.
Once done, install the VPN app on your device.
Connect to a VPN server.
Once connected, go to Shien’s browser or app.

Using a VPN ensures that your banking information is safe when shopping online. It prevents possible network interception, which can result in data leaks.

Does Shein Steal Your Information?

Now that you know, “Is Shein legit and Is Shein safe to order from?” Let’s delve into if it steals information. Shein has previously been accused of stealing user information. Here are 3 prominent cases against Shein for stealing its user’s data:

2018 – Stolen Login Credentials

Here’s the first case about “Is Shein legit?” Hackers stole customer login credentials for 6.42 million customers, including email addresses and encrypted passwords. Shein responded by working with cybersecurity experts, removing malware, and closing entry points.

2022 – Data Theft

A massive data breach compromised Shein in 2022, exposing the sensitive information of nearly 40 million customers. Hackers gained access to personal details and financial data. In July 2024, the New York Attorney General levied a $1.9 million fine in response to the company’s inadequate handling of the situation.

In conclusion, “Is Shein safe to order from?” a few data security concerns about Shein still exist. This includes limited transparency about user information and pop-ups leading to unintended 3rd party site redirections. That said, staying connected to FastestVPN when shopping online is crucial.

5 Security Tips: What Is the Safest Way to Buy From Shein?

According to Statista, online shopping scams surged during the pandemic, increasing from 24% to 38% of all reported scams globally in 2020. And despite Shein being a legit site, it’s still important to implement the following security tips for online shopping to mitigate a potential eCommerce fraud:

1. Use a VPN

When we say use a VPN, we mean more than settling for a free one. Instead, get a premium and affordable option, like FastestVPN. Along with fool-proof encryption, features like an Internet Kill Switch, DNS Leak Protection, a strict no-logs policy, and others make browsing the web and using your credit card online a breeze.

2. Always Check User Reviews

It’s best to always skim through the user reviews. This will help you understand the purchase you’re about to make. Moreover, it’s even better if the reviews are tagged along with their pictures. These ensure that you’re making the right purchase.

3. Read the Privacy Policy

While most tend to ignore the long terms and conditions, they’re the only document about how Shein uses your information. Before accepting them right away, read through those long and boring paragraphs explaining how your data will be used.

4. Enable Two-Factor Authentication

Enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) on Shein adds an extra layer of security. After setting it up, you’ll need to verify your identity using two forms of identification to access Shein’s resources. You can do this by going to the Shein App>Account Settings>Enable 2FA.

5. Update the Shein App

Developers regularly release app updates for bug fixes and other patches, ensuring the app runs smoothly. The Shein app will automatically update if you’ve enabled automatic updates. Otherwise, you’ll have to go to the Google Play/App Store, check for updates, and initiate them if available.

FAQs - Is Shein Safe

Are Shein products safe?

Wondering “Is Shein legit?” Various reports, such as the Seoul Test, claim Shein’s clothing to be toxic. Its products contain high levels of phthalates, a chemical used to soften plastic materials.

What are the negatives of Shein?

Now that you know about “Is Shein legit?” Here are the common negatives of Shein:

1. Unethical Labour Practices: According to different reports, Shein allows unethical labor practices, including child labor. There are allegations of low wages, 75+ working hours, use of sweatshops, and much more.
2. Unsustainable Approach: Sheing, a fast-fashion platform, offers unsustainable products that often cannot be recycled and largely contribute to environmental pollution.

Is Shein safe for credit cards?

Shein is safe for credit cards, but the Internet is never a safe space, and you must always take the essential precautions to ensure that you don’t fall victim to a cyber attack. To mitigate the risk, we recommend using FastestVPN when shopping online.

Is Shein safe for debit cards?

Shein is considered moderately safe for debit cards since your information is never safe online due to lingering cyber threats. While the shopping platform claims to use SSL encryption, there have still been cases of data theft. For this, ensure you’re connected to FastestVPN; this will prevent your IP address from leaking out for a potential cyber attack.

Is Shein safe for online payment?

Shein is generally safe for online payments since the store claims to use SSL encryption. However, it’s still best to connect to a VPN to avoid the cyber threats.

Is Shein safer than Temu?

Wondering “Is Shein safe to order from?” Both platforms are generally safe for making payments, but their security still remains unclear. You’re never safe when you surf the web, and that’s where using FastestVPN becomes essential.

Is Shein safe to wear?

There’s an active controversy about the presence of lead in Shein’s clothes. According to research by MGOO, over 20% of lead products and chemicals in Shein’s clothes can result in eye irritations and environmental hazards.

Final Note

This article briefly discussed the security paradigms of Shein’s security and the negatives of the store. While Shein is affordable, its labor policies are controversial, and neither are its products sustainable.

Whereas, as far as user security is concerned, you’re never safe online. That said, you must use FastestVPN for enhanced security protection. Connecting to the VPN will ensure that the black hats don’t intercept your network and steal your banking information.