Better Business Bureau Warns of TikTok Jewelry Scam

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 alleged fraudulent activity, had received multiple reports of an online, jewelry-related shopping scam on the popular social media platform.

“It’s a sneaky one. It starts with a disgruntled employee supposedly seeking revenge and ends with victims ordering hundreds of dollars in phony merchandise,” said the organization.

Scrolling users will happen upon a TikTok video starring an individual claiming to be a recently fired employee of a high-end jewelry store.

One such TikTok video directs viewers to an online jewelry store called TruGala.

The scammer says they didn’t deserve to be fired and are angry about the situation. 

For revenge, they share a “top-secret employee discount code.” This code supposedly gives shoppers up to 100 percent off their purchase. 

The video claims shoppers can get jewelry for free, if they’re willing to pay the shipping costs.

One consumer reported that as they added more things to the cart, the shipping costs increased “disproportionately.”

“However, this still seems like a ‘deal’ because you are getting a 100 percent discount on (faux) jewelry that costs $100-200,” wrote the consumer.

There is no way to cancel the order, the shopper said, and there is no order confirmation email. 

Also no social media accounts, address, or phone number exist for the jewelry store. The shipper can only be contacted via email.

For those who fall for the scam, said BBB, they will not receive any “high-end” jewelry. They might receive a “cheaply made knockoff,” or nothing at all, on top of being out the money spent on shipping.

“The current version of this scam involves a jewelry store but watch out for other variations as scammers change their schemes to avoid detection,” said BBB, adding the scam could also work for other high-cost items, like electronics or designer handbags.

The BBB shared some tips for avoiding online shopping scams.

Don’t fall for deals that are too good to be true, it warned. 

“Scammers love to draw people in with this bait. If a deal seems extraordinarily good, stay skeptical,” the organization said, adding that shoppers should thoroughly research a company before making a purchase, particularly when it is a company not known to them. 

The BBB recommends looking up the company’s website, physical address, and contact information. Read customer reviews from third-party websites and look for comments left on its social media pages.

Another helpful trick is to search the company name followed by “scam.” 

When it comes to online shopping anywhere, make payments with a credit card, said BBB, as this makes it easier to deal with fraudulent charges and could help shoppers get their money back if they have been scammed.