● MEDIUM RISK

Is Wish a Scam?

Wish is a real marketplace, not a fraud — but the record is rough: 1,178 BBB complaints in three years, 87% of them negative, with recurring problems around product quality, misleading listings, and customer service. You can buy from it. Set your expectations accordingly.

Losses: Individual losses typically $5-100 per incident; No major regulatory fines

Targets: Budget shoppers looking for ultra-low prices

Updated: 2026-01-19

Also known as: Wish scam · Wish app legit · Is Wish safe · Wish fraud

How It Works

Wish is a real e-commerce platform founded in 2010 by ContextLogic Inc., headquartered in San Francisco. The platform connects buyers with sellers, primarily based in China, offering extremely low-priced goods. **Why Wish is Legitimate:** • BBB Accredited Business • BBB "A+" rating (despite high complaint volume) • Real company based in San Francisco (ContextLogic Inc.) • Processes real transactions and delivers products • Publicly traded company (went public in 2020, though stock declined significantly) • Over 100 million app downloads **Why Wish Has Problems:** **BBB Data:** • 1,178 customer complaints closed in past 3 years • 538 complaints in last 12 months alone • 87% negative customer review rating • Only 33 of 393 reviews are positive **Trustpilot:** • Has improved to around 3+ stars in recent reviews • Mixed experiences reported **Common Issues:** • Products look nothing like listing photos • Extremely long shipping times (weeks to months) • Items arrive broken, defective, or wrong • Customer service is difficult to reach and often unhelpful • Refund process can be lengthy and frustrating • Some products never arrive at all • Quality is highly inconsistent • Sizing (especially clothing) is unreliable Unlike Temu or Shein, Wish has not faced major regulatory fines, but the BBB has noted a "pattern of complaints" requiring business response.

How Scammers Make Contact

Mobile AppWebsite

Warning Signs & Red Flags

BBB: 1,178 complaints in 3 years, 87% negative reviews
Product photos often misleading - items look different in person
Shipping can take weeks to months
Customer service extremely difficult to reach
Refund process lengthy and often unsuccessful
Products frequently described as low quality
Some orders never arrive
Sizing is unreliable, especially for clothing
Electronics and tech products especially risky
BBB noted "pattern of complaints" in business profile

Real-World Example

"I purchased a WiFi router from wish.com. However, it was faulty and although I submitted precise details to Wish, a support agent responded and requested the very same information I had already submitted. Agent after agent just persisted in requesting the same information again and again. I have still not received a refund."
— Sitejabber Review

How to Protect Yourself

Never spend more than you can afford to lose completely
Use a credit card for chargeback protection
Set extremely low expectations for quality
Avoid electronics, makeup, children's items, and anything safety-critical
Read reviews carefully - look for photos from real buyers
Check seller ratings and feedback
Document purchases with screenshots
Be prepared for very long shipping times
Understand return shipping often costs more than the item

What To Do If You're a Victim

1Contact Wish customer support through the app
2Document issue with photos and screenshots
3File a credit card chargeback if unresolved
4Report to BBB at bbb.org
5Report to FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
6Leave honest reviews to warn other shoppers

Report This Scam

FTC Report Fraud FBI IC3 Identity Theft

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Wish a Scam?

What are the warning signs of Wish scams?

BBB: 1,178 complaints in 3 years, 87% negative reviews. Product photos often misleading - items look different in person. Shipping can take weeks to months. Customer service extremely difficult to reach. Refund process lengthy and often unsuccessful.

How do I protect myself from Wish scams?

Never spend more than you can afford to lose completely. Use a credit card for chargeback protection. Set extremely low expectations for quality. Avoid electronics, makeup, children's items, and anything safety-critical.

What should I do if I'm a victim of a Wish scam?

Contact Wish customer support through the app. Document issue with photos and screenshots. File a credit card chargeback if unresolved. Report to BBB at bbb.org.

How serious is this threat?

We rate this a real but moderate risk. Reported losses: Individual losses typically $5-100 per incident; No major regulatory fines. Most exposed: Budget shoppers looking for ultra-low prices.

Can I get my money back?

Recovery depends on how you paid. Credit card payments may be reversed through chargebacks, while wire transfers and cryptocurrency are rarely recoverable. Report immediately to your bank and file complaints with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and the FBI IC3 at ic3.gov.

How do I report Wish scams?

Report to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. For internet crimes, file with the FBI IC3 at ic3.gov. For identity theft, visit identitytheft.gov. You should also contact your local police and your bank.

Sources & References

Related Scams

Is Shein a Scam?

Shein is a real retailer, not a scam. The concerns are the substance: clothing that has tested positive for toxic chemicals, documented labor and intellectual-property problems, and a heavy environmental footprint. You will likely get your order. Whether you should want it is the harder question.

Is AliExpress a Scam?

AliExpress is legitimate — part of Alibaba, one of the largest e-commerce companies on earth — and it offers real buyer protection. The risks are counterfeits, uneven sellers, and long shipping. Vet the seller, not just the platform.

Temu Scams & Safety Risks

Temu is a real company, not a scam — PDD Holdings, traded on NASDAQ. That is the easy part. The harder truth: the platform draws serious data-privacy complaints, ships goods that have failed independent safety testing, and has become a favorite costume for scammers running fake-order phishing and counterfeit storefronts. The brand is legitimate. Much of what gets done in its name is not.

Fake Online Store

A storefront with real-looking products and unreal prices takes your payment and either ships nothing or sends a counterfeit. Many are built fast and abandoned just as fast. Pay by credit card so you can dispute it, and be wary of a brand-new site selling brand-name goods for a fraction.

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