Top 5 AliExpress Scams and Tips to Protect Yourself

AliExpress, a subsidiary of the Alibaba Group, connects consumers worldwide with sellers predominantly based in China. It’s a haven for people who love affordable items, offering everything from fashion to electronics at irresistible prices. 

However, the surge in online shopping has led to a parallel increase in e-commerce scams. Scammers exploit the anonymity of platforms like AliExpress, leaving unsuspecting buyers vulnerable.

This article will explore these common scams on AliExpress and give you tips to protect yourself against them. Let’s roll!

5 Major AliExpress Scams and How to Spot Them

Scam 1: Fake Products

One of the most common scams on AliExpress is the sale of fake products. These are often low-quality imitations of popular brands, designed to deceive buyers.

Spotting Fake Products: Look for inconsistencies in the product description, overly generic brand names, or prices that seem too good to be true. Cross-referencing product images with official brand websites can also help.

What to Do If You Receive a Fake Product: Immediately file a dispute with AliExpress, providing evidence of the fake product. Detailed photos and a thorough description of the discrepancies will support your case.

Scam 2: Non-Delivery of Items

Non-delivery scams involve sellers taking your money but never shipping the item. This can be particularly frustrating and difficult to resolve.

How to Avoid Non-Delivery Scams: Choose sellers with high ratings and positive reviews. Utilize tracking options and avoid deals that seem unusually cheap.

Steps to Take If Your Item Doesn't Arrive: If your item doesn’t arrive within the expected timeframe, contact the seller. If they’re unresponsive or unhelpful, escalate the issue to AliExpress customer service in-app.

Scam 3: Counterfeit Goods

Counterfeit goods are distinct from fake products in that they often mimic high-value items, like luxury watches or designer clothes.

Distinguishing Between Fake and Counterfeit: Counterfeits usually carry fake brand labels and logos, whereas fake products might not. Authentic brands often have unique features like serial numbers or holograms, which counterfeiters may overlook.

Reporting Counterfeit Items: Report counterfeit items directly to AliExpress. Include detailed photos and comparisons to legitimate products to support your claim.

Scam 4: Price Switching

Price switching occurs when a seller changes the price of an item after you’ve placed it in your cart, often by creating a new listing.

How Price Switching Works: A seller lists an item at a low price to attract buyers. Once enough people are interested, they switch the listing to a higher price, sometimes without buyers noticing.

Protecting Yourself from Price Switching: Double-check the price before completing your purchase. If the price changes, remove the item from your cart and search for a more reliable seller.

Scam 5: Misleading Product Descriptions

Misleading product descriptions can make you think you're buying one thing when you’re getting something else entirely.

Identifying Misleading Descriptions: Look out for vague or overly technical descriptions, poor-quality images, or stock photos. Compare the product details with similar items to spot inconsistencies.

Dealing with Misleading Descriptions: If you receive an item that doesn’t match its description, contact the seller first. If the issue isn’t resolved, escalate the matter to AliExpress with detailed evidence.

General Tips to Protect Yourself from Scams on AliExpress

Now that you have learned the common fraudulent activities on AliExpress, below are the major tips to save yourself from them before they happen; 

Research the Seller

Before making a purchase, check the seller’s main store alongside their ratings, read reviews, and look at their sales history. Reputable sellers typically have high ratings and positive feedback.

Check Reviews and Ratings

Generally, reviews and ratings from other buyers can provide valuable insights into the reliability of a seller and the quality of their products. Also, beware of fake reviews and pictures. To spot fake reviews, images are usually unclear or taken from a stock website. Be sure that actual buyers leave live images of their purchases.

Understand AliExpress Buyer Protection

AliExpress offers buyer protection policies that cover various scenarios, from non-delivery to receiving fake products. Familiarize yourself with these policies to know your rights.

Use Secure Payment Methods

Secure payment methods provide an extra layer of protection against fraud. They can help you recover your money if something goes wrong. If you use the Bitnob virtual card for payments, any reversals will reflect on your card in due time. Additionally, if you prefer cardless transactions, the Shopaa feature on Bitnob enables direct payments from your account. Should your order encounter any common scams, you can reach out to the support team for assistance in opening a dispute.

Stay Informed about Common Scams

Follow e-commerce news sites and forums to stay updated on the latest scams and fraud tactics. Knowledge is your best defense. You can also join online communities of AliExpress shoppers. These groups often share experiences, warnings, and tips that can help you avoid scams.

Utilize Third-Party Review Sites

Third-party review sites offer unbiased opinions and can reveal recurring issues with sellers that might not be evident on AliExpress.

What to Do If Scammed On AliExpress

Unfortunately, people fall victim to the common scams on AliExpree. If you fall into this category and your order isn’t closed yet, there are things to be done.

Knowing how to contact AliExpress support effectively can make a significant difference in resolving such issues promptly and successfully. 

Here’s a detailed guide to help you through the process.

1. Identify the Issue

Before contacting AliExpress support, identify the nature of the problem. As mentioned above, common issues include non-delivery of items, receiving counterfeit products, or items that don’t match the description. 

2. Gather Evidence

Collect all relevant evidence to support your claim. This includes:

• Order details: Order number, product name, and seller information.
• Communication: Any messages exchanged with the seller.
• Evidence of the issue: Photos, videos, or screenshots showing the problem.

3. Try to Resolve with the Seller

Before escalating to AliExpress support, attempt to resolve the issue directly with the seller. Sellers are often willing to work out solutions to maintain their ratings and avoid disputes. Use the AliExpress messaging system to communicate your problem and request a resolution.

4. Open a Dispute

If the seller is uncooperative, the next step is to open a dispute. Here’s how:

1. Go to Your Orders: Log in to your AliExpress account and navigate to "My Orders".
2. Find the Order: Locate the order you have an issue with.
3. Open Dispute: Click on "Open Dispute" and select the reason for your dispute from the dropdown menu.
4. Provide Details: Fill in the required information, upload evidence, and describe the issue clearly.
5. Submit: Submit your dispute for review.

AliExpress will then mediate between you and the seller to resolve the issue.

5. Escalate the Dispute

If the initial dispute resolution is unsatisfactory, you can escalate it to AliExpress customer service. Here’s how:

1. Dispute Status: Go to "My Orders" and check the status of your dispute.
2. Escalate: If the dispute is not resolved, there will be an option to escalate it. Click on "Escalate Dispute".
3. Further Details: Provide any additional details or evidence required.
4. Submit for Review: Submit the escalated dispute to AliExpress.

AliExpress customer service will now take over the case and make a final decision.

6. Contact AliExpress Support Directly

For further assistance, you can contact AliExpress customer support directly. Here’s how:

1. Help Center: Visit the AliExpress Help Center.
2. Live Chat: Use the live chat feature for immediate assistance. This is often the quickest way to get a response.
3. Email Support: Alternatively, you can email AliExpress support. Be sure to include your order number and a detailed description of the issue.

7. Follow Up

After contacting support, follow up regularly to ensure your issue is being addressed. Keep track of any responses and actions taken by AliExpress.

Final Words

Shopping on AliExpress is as simple as it gets if you know how to avoid scams and what to do if something goes wrong. By staying informed and using the right strategies, you can protect yourself and enjoy the benefits of this popular marketplace. 

Remember to research sellers, use secure payment methods, and understand how to contact AliExpress support if needed. With these tips, you can shop confidently and safely on AliExpress.