Group alerts holiday shoppers of Temu risks
By: Betty Lin-Fisher
USA Today
..... Holiday shoppers should beware of some Online marketplaces, particularly Temu, as they're looking for deals, a consumer advocacy organization warns.
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In a new report, the Consumer Federation of America outlined several lawsuits by attorneys general around the country against Temu alleging that the China-based, low-cost retailer provides inadequate safety warnings, counterfeit products and manipulated reviews, among other issues.
..... "Regardless of where consumers are purchasing their products, whether that's brink and mortar or Online, they deserve and expect that those products are all safe," Courtney Griffin, director of consumer product safety for CFA, told USA Today.
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In a statement provided to USA Today, a Temu spokesperson said the allegations are "factually incorrect and legally flawed." Motions to dismiss the complaints are pending in courts, according to the statement.
..... "We welcome and seek proactive engagement with and feedback from regulators and other stakeholders and are continuously seeking ways to make our serves better for our users," the statement reads.
..... CFA's report, "Holiday shopper beware: Online marketplaces present serious consumer protection crisis" outlined several concerns about Temu. The organization said it was aggregating existing actions field by states attorneys general aorta the country against Temu to highlight the concerns.
..... Twenty-one attorneys general raised concerns in August 2024
Temu does not adequately warn shoppers of dangers associated with their products and are subject to safety recalls.
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Complaints field in Nebraska, Kentucky and by the Arkansas attorney general in 2025 allege Temu misrepresents its product quality to consumers. complaints have included undelivered package poor customer service and low-quality products that don't match Temu's claims. The state's complaints also allege some reviews on Temu are fake or skewed, which prevents shoppers from making informed decision.
..... Attorneys general in Nebraska and Kentucky in June and July 2025, representativity, said Temu's platform is "awash in products infringing copyrights and other intellectual property."
..... The complaint in Nebraska called Temu's use of "local" tags deceptive. consumers may assume that means a product is locally made CFA said, when it means it was shipped form a U.S. warehouse, even if the original product came from a foreign country
Consumer Online shopping tips
..... CFA provided tips to keep in mind while buying Online:
* Is it too good to be True?: Sometimes a product's low price could mean it is low quality or doesn't meet safety standards.
* Is the product safe?: Recent investigations have found hat some Online marketplaces are not adequately screening products or warning about recalls.
* The review may not be accurate: Recent investigations and legal actions have found hat some reviews cannot be trusted.
* Be careful of counterfeit products: Counterfeit products can often be substandard or fail to meet safety standards.
* Use caution with your personal data: Some sites may not have adequate consumer protections. Be careful when sharing sensitive information.
* Check on product recalls: Check with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission at www.cpsc.gov to check on product recalls and safety warnings.
..... Betty Lin-Fisher is a consumer reporter for USA Today