The rise of fast-fashion e-commerce platforms like Shein and Boohoo has changed the shopping landscape, offering consumers the allure of trendy apparel and accessories at remarkably low prices. These platforms have become go-to destinations for cost-conscious shoppers seeking the latest fashion without breaking the bank. 

However, with their meteoric rise in popularity, questions regarding the safety and legitimacy of shopping on these sites have also surfaced (not to mention the environmental impact of buying inexpensive, low-quality clothing—but that’s for another article).

Given the incredible affordability of their offerings, it’s natural for shoppers to wonder: Are Shein and Boohoo safe destinations for my shopping needs? Below, we look at how safe both Shein and Boohoo’s websites are for consumers.

What is Shein?

Shein is an e-commerce site that sells fast-fashion clothes, accessories, home decor, and other general items at extremely affordable prices. Items on Shein can start at 2 USD for a T-shirt and 8 USD for a dress, making the platform popular among cost-conscious shoppers. Since its inception, Shein has grown into a globally recognized brand. 

What is Boohoo?

Like Shein, Boohoo is a retailer selling affordable fast-fashion products. The company makes clothing for men under the label BoohooMan. Based in the UK, Boohoo also operates other fast-fashion sites like PrettyLittleThing and NastyGal. Boohoo regularly holds seasonal sales, with items selling for as low as £11 for a dress and £15 for trainers. As such, Boohoo is popular among shoppers who are looking for trendy apparel, accessories, and footwear.

Are Shein and Boohoo safe and legitimate?

Yes, Shein and Boohoo are generally safe and implement SSL encryption for their connections. This means that transactions you make with your credit card are also encrypted.

In its privacy policy, Shein mentions that it may share personal information with third-party providers, such as order fulfillment service providers, marketing and advertising teams, and IT system and software vendors. The policy also states that customer personal data may be processed or transferred outside of the country where a customer resides, which could concern some people. 

Boohoo also collects personal information from its customers. Its policy states that it collects, uses, and shares aggregated data, such as statistical and demographic data. Similar to Shein, Boohoo shares personal data with third parties, including IT service providers, payment processors, and delivery companies. 

However, there are greater concerns about Shein and Boohoo’s product quality and legitimacy—in terms of receiving what you think you ordered, for instance. Both platforms provide return options for items, yet customers of Boohoo have reported significant challenges in returning merchandise. Shein customers have taken to social media to voice concerns over the poor quality of their items.

Data sharing via Shein’s pop-up ads 

Despite being generally safe, Shein uses many pop-up ads on its site, which could pose security and privacy risks. First, if a cybercriminal has stealthily managed to hack Shein’s website, they might create malicious pop-up ads that lead users to a third-party site that could potentially harbor malware. 

Secondly, while Shein is a known brand, it might have pop-ups or placements that originate from third-party or affiliated brands that might not have heard of or trust.

In its privacy policy, Shein states that it does share consumer data with third-party advertisers and affiliates. This means that if you click on any of the advertisements while logged into your Shein account, you might receive emails from Shein’s partners for retargeting marketing purposes.

How to shop safely on Shein and Boohoo

Check the return policy

Both Shein and Boohoo have their own return policies. For Shein, returns must be made within 15 days, and shipping is free on the first return of any order. For Boohoo, customers have 14 days to return their items, and all tags must be in tact. Boohoo will not accept returned products that show any signs of having been worn or washed, including products that are stained or otherwise marked or damaged.

By understanding their policies, you ensure you’re not left in a difficult position if an item doesn’t meet your expectations regarding fit, quality, or appearance. Try to find real online reviews to get an idea of how successful other customers have been with returns to decide how comfortable you are with ordering from them. In some cases, the low prices might still make it worth it to you even without returns.

Look at reviews with photos

While product reviews on Shein and Boohoo can be helpful, some may have been created by bots. To make more informed decisions when shopping on these platforms, it’s better to look for reviews with real user photos or videos. Photos can provide insight into the fabric quality and how the clothing fits on a person’s body.

When in doubt, size up

All brands are different, so, be sure to check the size chart for the apparel you’re interested in to determine your size. If you think you’re between sizes, then sizing up would be the safer router. Also, as Shein is based in China, the sizes very likely run small, so sizing up would be a good idea.

Avoid saving your card on your accounts

Including your credit card information directly on platforms like Shein and Boohoo can increase your vulnerability to data breaches and cyberattacks. While these websites generally implement secure encryption technologies, no system is entirely foolproof. But more importantly, having your payment information saved increases your risk of becoming a victim of fraud in case someone—even a friend or family member—hacks into your account by finding out your password. For enhanced security and peace of mind, it’s advisable to enter your payment details manually with each purchase or consider alternative, more secure payment options.

Avoid shopping over public Wi-Fi

Shopping over public Wi-Fi can be risky due to these networks’ potential lack of security measures. When you use public Wi-Fi to make purchases, you expose your personal and financial information to potential interception by cybercriminals and the Wi-Fi admin. 

If you have to make a purchase over public Wi-Fi, use a VPN that creates a secure, private connection for you to make online purchases. If you’re in the UK, you can choose a premium UK VPN to secure your internet connection.

Keep your Shein and Boohoo apps updated

Keeping your Shein and Boohoo apps updated is crucial for maintaining high levels of security while shopping. Developers continuously work on improving the app’s security features, fixing any vulnerabilities that cybercriminals could exploit. By ensuring you’re using the latest version, you benefit from the newest security patches and enhancements, reducing the risk of data breaches.

The post Are Shein and Boohoo safe for shopping? appeared first on ExpressVPN Blog.