Chinese phishing groups are now sending scam SMS messages about unclaimed tax refunds and rewards points, aiming to steal payment card data. They create fake e-commerce sites that look legitimate, making it difficult for consumers to spot the fraud until it's too late. Experts warn that this increase in scams often coincides with the holiday shopping rush.

TikTok is enhancing its security measures to improve shopper trust and experience, aiming to make in-stream shopping more appealing to Western consumers. The platform has ramped up efforts to remove counterfeit products and streamline reporting processes for intellectual property violations. Despite rising interest, many Western users remain cautious about shopping on social media.