Do not become a TikTok victim.
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While most TikTok warnings focus on the perceived threat from its ownership and whether or not U.S. data is openly or secretly transmitted to China, there are other threats for its vast user base as well 鈥 these are very real and happening now.
The team at Guardio has just warned that 鈥渢here鈥檚 an ongoing scam on TikTok involving dozens of accounts that post emotional videos that link to websites that either collect donations (usually claiming to support animals) or sell products.鈥
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The videos (1,2) 鈥渁re highly manipulative and some have millions of views and hundreds of comments.鈥 The products are as you鈥檇 expect, 鈥渃ow slippers, dog lamps, and more.鈥
The researchers say these videos 鈥渙ften ask viewers to 鈥榳atch for 9 seconds to help the cause鈥 and are designed to tug at your emotions to encourage donations or purchases.鈥
But it鈥檚 all fake. 鈥淪ome likely use AI or deepfakes, while others use videos stolen from real accounts without consent.鈥 And as is the tendency with TikTok, it鈥檚 spreading like wildfire as 鈥渘ew fake accounts keep appearing on the platform.鈥
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Unsurprisingly, Guardio warns that 鈥渋f you donate through these scam sites, your money won鈥檛 reach any animal shelter. And if you buy something, you might receive it 鈥 but it鈥檚 usually a cheap product, not the handmade item the video promised.鈥
The warning for TikTok users is not to watch these videos as they鈥檙e misleading fakes, but also more critically never to click on any links or buy any products or provide any information if asked. And even more simply 鈥 do not follow any of these accounts.
These accounts also rely on casual shares and likes, spreading their dangerous viral content 鈥 do not do that either. You would be sending malicious links to your own followers, putting even more money into these scammers鈥 pockets.
Scam website preying on TikTok users
While new accounts are being set up continually, below is the latest list from Guardio on those you should avoid. If you have any doubts, check the list:
1. @cozymoos
2. @injesusname7777
3. @customlovebricks
4. @milkstep5
5. @skybuddy.eu
6. @pup.glow
7. @pawsabilities.store
8. @thethronelight
9. @meow_slipps
10. @wonderglowlamps
11. @tommys.slippers
12. @happypowcollection1
13. @carl.rescue
14. @maybleandclyde
15. @robersfarm7
16. @saddleslips
17. @elbert.cat.slippers
18. @cele.whispers
19. @mooberryslips
20. @whisker.loafers
21. @whiskerloafers
22. @potterbirkins
23. @cappyslippers
24. @cuddlecowslippers
25. @@purrpawshub
26. @moo.slippies
27. @myfluffislippers
28. @myfluffislippers
29. @purrslippers
30. @Catslides
31. @catslidess
32. @plushpuff_
33. @faith.rugs
34. @faithrugs
35. @fluffislippersshop
36. @kittenkickss
37. @eternalembracelove
38. @pawzyco
39. @mooluxe_slippers
40. @fuzzyflips
41. @theholyblankets42. @cow.slidesss
43. @themooluxe
44. @davidsslippershop
45. @davidsslippersco
46. @fluffislippers2
47. @catslides2
48. @catslidesus
49. @plushypods
50. @kittykicksofficial
51. @flappybirdtoy
52. @flappyybirdyy
53. @holy.blanks
54. @pawpawslippers
55. @moozy.slippers1
56. @meowpaws_1
57. @mymeowslides
58. @pawsywawsi
59. @meowandvibes
60. @mypuppy.slippers
61. @moo.slippers5
62. @sheep.slippies
63. @cowslideslips
64. @ellyslides
65. @purrfits_
66. @milkstep4
67. @shopdachslides
68. @purr_pads
69. @lamb.slides
70. @moo_slips
71. @whisker.loafers.us
72. @meowwings_go
73. @shleepersco
74. @sausage.slides
75. @pawmadeslippers
76. @moozyslipper
77. @zacapyslides
78. @pugfooty
79. @mymeowslides
80. @moozy.slippers
81. @doggydwellers
82. @fluffypaws327
83. @cuddlecowslipper
84. @moozies2
85. @swiftyslips86. @pandaslips.co
87. @daniel.williams104
88. @themoooves_
89. @farmslippers_official
90. @mooluxe_slippers8
91. @cloudclaws.shop
92. @littledaisyslips
93. @stitch_timeofmygrandpa
94. @snugpaws.co
95. @papamooslippers
96. @snuggslipsrescue
97. @capybarakicks
98. @fuzzy.foundation
99. @shoppetwear
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