Is Shein Safe for Debit Cards? A Consumer Guide (2024)

Launched in 2008 in China, Shein® has become one of today’s best-known online fast-fashion retailers. It currently has over 250,000 monthly visits and 195 million app downloads worldwide. Shein has become a popular choice due to its affordability, wide selection of items, and commitment to staying on top of the latest fashion trends.

However, considering the recent reports of alleged unethical business practices and the the fines they paid for improper handling of a data breach, many customers wonder if their data is in jeopardy on Shein. This article aims to clarify the issue, answering questions such as:

  • Is Shein safe for debit cards and credit cards?
  • What security concerns is Shein associated with?
  • What can you do to enhance the security of your Shein transactions?

Is It Safe To Use a Debit Card on Shein?

Generally, Shein is considered safe to use, as it employs industry-standard security measures to protect your data. In its Privacy Policy, the company claims to never store sensitive information and keeps it safe from unauthorized access or disclosure by implementing various technical and administrative safety measures. However, Shein is not transparent about what those measures are.

As Shein itself states in the Privacy Policy, safety is not guaranteed despite the precautions. It’s recommended that you remain vigilant and do whatever you can to fortify your payment data security online. This is true for any e-commerce platform you may shop on, including Shein, AliExpress, Wish, and eBay.

Is Shein Safe for Debit Cards? A Consumer Guide (1)

Security Risks That May Affect Shein Users

In the past, Shein has faced backlash for several reasons, some of which pertain to security. In 2018, Shein suffered a data breach in which the login details of 39 million accounts were stolen and sold online. Shein’s parent company, Zoetop, was later fined $1.9 million because it notified only a fraction of the affected customers about the breach. Since then, Shein has reportedly upgraded its security practices, but it can’t hurt to remain cautious.

Besides data breaches, cybercriminals have other means of obtaining sensitive information they can misuse. For instance, they may use brute force attacks to guess your password and access your account. They can then change settings to lock you out of the account and attempt to impersonate you with the stolen information.

Another common method fraudsters use to obtain data is phishing—a type of scam that involves the use of social engineering to trick you into performing an action in order to steal your financial data, funds, and identity. In the context of Shein, the fraudster may impersonate the company and contact you via email or text, requesting that you:

  • Provide sensitive information, such as your card or account number and login credentials, in response to an email or text message
  • Click on a malicious link that leads to a fake login or payment page, which is embedded with malicious code that steals information
  • Download an attachment containing malware, which can infect your device and potentially harvest data or even help the fraudster gain control over your device

Some fraudsters go to the extent of creating a copycat website that appears the same as Shein at first glance but contains hidden traps to harvest data from unsuspecting users.

Is It Safer To Use a Credit Card Than a Debit Card on Shein?

Debit cards and credit cards are regulated by different laws. While both laws help minimize loss in case of card fraud, credit cards, which are protected by the Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA), may prove more favorable for cardholders. The law states that as long as you report the unauthorized charge on your credit card within 60 days, your liability is generally limited to $50.

The Electronic Funds Transfer Act (EFTA), which protects consumer debit cards, also limits your liability to $50, but only if you dispute the fraudulent charge within 48 hours. If you report fraud after that, your liability may jump to $500, and after 60 days, you could potentially be held liable for the entire amount.

Luckily, many debit and credit card issuers have their own zero-liability policies, and if yours is one of them, you likely won’t be responsible for any unauthorized transaction on your debit card.

While these laws protect your funds, they can’t spare you from the tedious but mandatory process of filing a dispute, replacing the compromised card, and updating your security settings. There’s also a risk of identity theft in case the thief manages to get hold of other sensitive information through hacking or phishing. They may use personal information such as your full name, address, and social security number to open new accounts in your name or commit other crimes. To avoid that, you should do what’s in your power to prevent your data from getting stolen in the first place.

Is Shein Safe for Debit Cards? A Consumer Guide (2)

Tips for Staying Safe When Shopping on Shein

If you want to buy from Shein, you should take the following precautions to mitigate the security risks and potential consequences:

  1. Beware of phishing attacks
  2. Don’t save your payment information
  3. Fortify your account’s security
  4. Stay away from public Wi-Fi
  5. Monitor your transactions regularly
  6. Use virtual cards

Beware of Phishing Attacks

When you receive an email that seems to be from Shein, you should confirm the sender is legitimate before providing any information or downloading an attachment. You can determine the sender’s legitimacy by checking their email address. For example, you can compare it to previous Shein emails you’ve received and analyze it for discrepancies.

Phishing messages can also be recognized by their urgent tone, occasional grammatical and spelling mistakes, and use of a generic greeting, such as “Dear customer” instead of greeting you by name.

You should also install antivirus software to safeguard your data in case you end up downloading malicious content by mistake.

Don’t Save Your Payment Information

Shein may prompt you to save your card information on their website so that you can check out more quickly the next time you shop. Consider skipping this step, as it could increase the chances of having your data exposed in case of a security breach.

Is Shein Safe for Debit Cards? A Consumer Guide (3)

Fortify Your Account’s Security

You should always use a complex and unique password for each website you sign up on, including Shein. By doing so, you’ll make your login credentials more difficult to guess, fortifying the security of your account. It is also recommended to update all your passwords once in a while.

If possible, activate two-factor authentication (2FA) for your Shein account, as well as any other account you may have. 2FA adds an extra layer of security by requiring not only your login credentials but also a secondary authentication step, such as entering a one-time code sent to your mobile device or using a biometric method like fingerprint scanning.

Stay Away From Public Wi-Fi

Security of open or public Wi-Fi networks is typically lax, putting your data at risk of being intercepted and stolen by hackers. You should avoid signing in or providing your card information to Shein when connected to a public network.

Monitor Your Transactions Regularly

You should keep an eye on your account activity and turn on transaction alerts so that you can detect debit card fraud timely. Immediately reporting any suspicious behavior can reduce the potential harm and limit your financial liability.

Use Virtual Cards

One of the most effective ways to protect your financial information online is with virtual cards. They’re connected to a real funding source but have randomly generated card numbers that mask your real card and bank data at checkout, protecting it in case Shein falls victim to a data breach.

Some banks, including Citi®, Capital One®, and American Express®, offer virtual cards to their customers for free, but they can rarely ever match the level of control and convenience that independent virtual card providers like Privacy offer you.

Is Shein Safe for Debit Cards? A Consumer Guide (4)

Privacy Virtual Cards—A Safer Way To Shop Online

Privacy Virtual Cards have randomly generated card numbers with their own expiration dates and security codes. These cards can be connected to a debit card or bank account but shield this information during online purchases, adding an integral layer of security to your transactions.

Privacy holds the BBB® accreditation and adheres to the same robust security protocols as reliable banks. The company employs security measures such as split-key encryption, password hashing with 100,000 iterations, and two-factor authentication to ensure the safety of your data.

Besides protecting your most sensitive information, Privacy makes checkouts faster and more seamless with its browser extension—available for Chrome, Safari, Edge, and Firefox. The extension auto-populates card details at checkout, so you don’t have to waste your time getting your wallet or typing in card numbers manually. The most recent addition, Safari extension for iOS, brings the autofill experience to iPhone and iPad users.

Exploring Privacy Virtual Cards

Privacy Virtual Cards come in two variants—Single-Use and Merchant-Locked. Refer to the table below to learn when to use them and how they protect your financial data during online transactions:

Single-Use Card Merchant-Locked Card
  • A Single-Use Card closes minutes after the first transaction is completed.

  • In case of a breach on a merchant’s website, this card is useless to potential hackers.

  • It’s ideal for unfamiliar websites or those you don’t plan on visiting again.

  • A Merchant-Locked Card locks to the first merchant you use it at.

  • It can be used repeatedly at the same merchant but will be declined at any other, minimizing the chances of potential misuse.

  • The nature of Merchant-Locked Cards makes them ideal for subscriptions and other recurring payments.

Privacy also allows you to:

  1. Set spending limits—By setting spending limits on your virtual card or account, you can avoid overspending and control how much merchants can charge you.
  2. Pause or close cards—You can pause or close a virtual card without influencing your real card or bank account. When you pause or close a virtual card, Privacy will decline all further transactions, which can be beneficial for preventing charges from subscription services you’re trying to cancel.
  3. Create virtual cards on the go—The Privacy mobile app, compatible with iOS and Android devices, allows you to create and manage cards wherever you are. You’ll also get a notification and an email whenever your cards are used or declined, allowing you to monitor your account activity on the go.

Privacy—Pricing and Signup Process

With Privacy, you have several pricing options at your disposal:

Plan Price What It Entails
Personal Free for domestic transactions
  • Up to 12 virtual cards per month

  • Browser extension

  • Web and mobile app

  • Card pausing and closing

  • Spending limits

Pro $10/month
  • Everything in the Personal plan

  • Up to 36 virtual cards per month

  • No foreign transaction fees

  • Priority support

  • 1% cashback on certain purchases (totaling up to $4,500/month)

Premium $25/month
  • Everything in the Pro plan

  • Up to 60 virtual cards per month

To experience Privacy first-hand, follow these four simple steps:

  1. Create an account
  2. Provide the details needed to verify your identity
  3. Link your debit card or bank account
  4. Request Privacy Virtual Cards


You can sign up for Privacy if you’re a U.S. resident over 18 with a checking account at a U.S. bank or credit union.

Privacy Virtual Cards

Spending Limits

Set a spending limit and Privacy will decline any transactions that go over the limit

Merchant-Locked Cards

Lock Privacy Cards to the first merchant they’re used at to prevent misuse if stolen

Single-Use Cards

Create Privacy Cards that close automatically after the first purchase is made on them

Pause/Close Cards

Pause or close your Privacy Cards at any time to block future transaction attempts

Sign Up For Privacy Now
Is Shein Safe for Debit Cards? A Consumer Guide (2024)

FAQs

Is Shein Safe for Debit Cards? A Consumer Guide? ›

Is Shein safe for credit cards? Yes, Shein is safe for credit and debit card transactions. Both the website and app use SSL encryption to protect your information and monetary transactions.

Is Shein safe to use with a debit card? ›

Encryption: Shein uses SSL encryption to protect your debit card information while it's being sent, making it difficult to intercept.

Is Shein safe to purchase from? ›

Is Shein legit or a scam? Shein operates as a legitimate online store on its website and app. With its roots in China and operational headquarters now in Singapore, Shein is known for an endless selection of stylish clothes and trendy accessories at appealing prices.

Is Shein safe payment? ›

In addition to encryption, Shein complies with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) requirements. This standard was established by major credit card companies to enhance the security measures surrounding payment card data.

What if someone used my card on Shein? ›

Contact your bank or card provider immediately if you suspect an unauthorized debit or charge. If a thief charges items to your account, you should cancel the card and have it replaced before more transactions come through.

Is SHEIN safe for debit cards in 2024? ›

Yes, Shein is safe for credit and debit card transactions. Both the website and app use SSL encryption to protect your information and monetary transactions.

How do I delete my debit card from SHEIN? ›

If you want to delete your payment information on your SHEIN account, e.g. bank card info, please log in to your SHEIN account and select [My Account] - [ My Payment Options ]. If you want to delete other data you provided to SHEIN, you can submit a request .

What are the negatives of Shein? ›

Harmful Chemicals from Fast Fashion

The fast-fashion industry, of which SHEIN is a part of, has been criticized for using harmful chemicals in the production of its garments. These chemicals can have negative effects on the environment, as well as on the health of workers and consumers.

Is Shein approved by BBB? ›

Shein currently has an "F" rating from The Better Business Bureau. Meanwhile, its rival Temu has a passing grade with a "C-." Bao Vang, the Vice President of Communications for the BBB of Minnesota and North Dakota, cites a lack of response by the companies in explaining the grade they received.

Does Shein sell counterfeit? ›

Other fashion brands or retailers have accused Shein of copyright infringement. H&M sued Shein last July, alleging Shein stole the company's intellectual property and sold counterfeit products. Dr. Martens, Ralph Lauren, Levi Strauss, Puma and Adidas have filed similar complaints. Those suits are ongoing.

Does Shein collect your info? ›

We respect your privacy, and we are committed to protecting it by complying with this Policy and applicable legal requirements. We collect personal data or personal information when you use our Site. Personal data or personal information is any information that identifies or makes an individual person identifiable.

Is Shein a Chinese company? ›

Shein (/ˈʃiːɪn/ SHEE-in; styled as SHEIN; Chinese: 希音; pinyin: Xīyīn) is a fast fashion retailer. Founded in Nanjing, China, in October 2008 as ZZKKO by entrepreneur Chris Xu, Shein grew to become the world's largest fashion retailer as of 2022.

What is better, Shein or Temu? ›

Though Shein has kept a check on the sellers, multiple issues have still been reported with clothes made of cheap fabric or polyester. Still, based on the reviews, Shein offers better quality at affordable pricing compared to Temu. The latter has claimed to offer dupes and knock-off products, too.

Can I trust SHEIN with my debit card? ›

Yes, You Can Trust SHEIN

SHEIN is a giant in the online fast-fashion world, recognized for its secure shopping environment. From the moment you enter your debit card details to the second you hit 'purchase', your information is encrypted and protected.

Is ordering from SHEIN safe? ›

Shein appears to be a safe site, in that they don't steal your payment information or identity. It also seems to be trusted by users worldwide, from South Africa to the UK and from Australia to Canada, which suggests that most people receive the products they order.

Can someone use my debit card without my PIN? ›

Fraudsters can still use your debit card even if they don't have the card itself. They don't even need your PIN—just your card number. If you've used your debit card for an off-line transaction (a transaction without your PIN), your receipt will show your full debit card number.

Are debit cards safe to use in stores? ›

Just because you can use your debit card almost anywhere doesn't mean you always should. Although you have some protections when you use a debit card, don't have the same protections as you would with credit cards. Swipe your debit card only at trusted locations, and regularly check your transaction history.

Does SHEIN store card info? ›

SHEIN indeed saves your credit card information, but only if you allow it. When you make a purchase, you can choose to save your payment details for future transactions.

Can SHEIN block your card? ›

They might have blocked the transaction to prevent fraud. Letting them know you're trying to make a purchase can often clear things up. If you're still having trouble, reach out to SHEIN's customer service. They're there to help and can provide insights into payment issues.

How does SHEIN show up on a bank statement? ›

SHEIN typically shows up on your bank statement as 'SHEIN' or 'SHEIN.COM' followed by the transaction details.

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