THE FRAUD CODEXSCAM DETECTION
MEDIUM RISK

Is Wish a Scam?

Wish is a legitimate e-commerce marketplace, but has a pattern of complaints regarding product quality, misleading listings, and customer service issues. BBB shows 1,178 complaints in 3 years with 87% negative reviews.

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

1How 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

2Warning 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

3Real-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

4How 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

5What To Do If You're a Victim

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

Report This Scam

FTC Report Fraud FBI IC3 Identity Theft

?Frequently Asked Questions

What is Is Wish a Scam??

Wish is a legitimate e-commerce marketplace, but has a pattern of complaints regarding product quality, misleading listings, and customer service issues. BBB shows 1,178 complaints in 3 years with 87% negative reviews. 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 co...

How common is this type of scam?

Is Wish a Scam? is classified as a medium risk threat. Reported losses: Individual losses typically $5-100 per incident; No major regulatory fines. This primarily targets 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. Wire transfers and cryptocurrency are rarely recoverable. Report immediately to your bank and file complaints with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and FBI IC3 at ic3.gov.

How do I report this?

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

Sources & References

BBB Business Profile - WishBBB Complaints - WishTrustpilot - Wish ReviewsSitejabber - Wish Reviews

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