You know the drill: you sit down after a long day, open TikTok for what’s supposed to be a quick scroll, and before you know it, an hour’s gone by. But since September 2023, it’s not just your time at risk—now your bank account is, too.
TikTok Shop has made it easier than ever to shop while you scroll, offering up a marketplace full of tempting deals. And with your banking and shipping info stored for easy access, purchases are just a click away.
TikTok even curates a shopping feed specifically tailored to your interests, making impulse buying even more effortless. But as TikTok user Kristen (@kristen_temprine) warns, this convenience comes at a price.
The Warning: “Don’t Use Your Debit Card”
On Aug. 23, Kristen posted a 5-second PSA that has since racked up over 1.5 million views. With the comical “Titanic Flute Fail” music playing in the background, she simply sips her coffee, looking around with a knowing expression.
Her message? Don’t link your debit card to Apple Pay or TikTok Shop—or you might find yourself in a financial mess. In the caption, she explains:
“PSA: Don’t use your debit card for Apple Pay, and don’t use it in the TikTok shop, or you might get your entire paycheck and half your savings wiped out in seconds, sending you into a panic and praying that the bank actually gets the money back to your account.”
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Is TikTok Shop Safe?
When TikTok Shop launched in the U.S. in mid-2023, it touted secure checkout processes, using third-party payment interfaces and ensuring that all U.S. user data is stored in the U.S. under the management of TikTok U.S. Data Security (USDS).
The company claims that this system protects U.S. user data and oversees content delivery systems in the country.
However, despite these assurances, several users have reported their card information being stolen after making purchases on TikTok Shop. One creator (@cipchunks) posted, “Finally decided to order something off TikTok shop and my card information got stolen.”
Kristen may not have provided direct evidence in her video, but the growing number of user complaints seems to support her cautionary message.
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Credit Card vs. Debit Card: Which is Safer?
While Kristen warns against using debit cards, many of her followers echoed her concerns. One commenter advised:
“No one should ever really use their debit card. Use a credit card and pay it off each month. It’s very risky to use your debit card.”
This comment alone received over 2,700 likes, and it highlights an important point: if a fraudulent charge hits your credit card, it’s usually much easier to dispute than trying to recover money from a debit account.
Kristen followed up with a second video emphasizing this tip: use a credit card instead of a debit card when shopping online.
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Is Apple Pay Safe?
Kristen’s warning also included Apple Pay. Apple Pay allows users to link their cards to their iPhone for easy digital payments. Kristen worries that linking a debit card to Apple Pay could make it vulnerable to fraud.
However, not everyone agrees. One commenter said, “Apple Pay generates a different credit card number when you pay, so I thought it was safer,” receiving over 2,500 likes in the process.
This is actually true. Apple Pay uses a process called “tokenization,” where it generates a unique card number for each transaction, protecting your actual card details.
According to Apple’s Privacy and Safety page, they re-encrypt your data so only your payment network can decrypt it.
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Final Thoughts: Keep Your Information Safe!
Whether you’re shopping on TikTok or elsewhere, it’s always smart to reconsider how you handle your payment methods. Kristen’s advice?
Avoid linking your debit card to online platforms whenever possible. If something goes wrong, recovering money from a debit card can be much more difficult than disputing a charge on a credit card.
Next time you feel that impulse buy coming on, take a moment to ensure your payment details are as safe as possible.