Return fraud is making an appearance going into 2026, with fraudsters figuring out new and increasingly convoluted schemes to acquire goods from clothing stores, retailers, and e-commerce platforms.
Bia Schrim (@bia.schrim), a TikTok content creator, ran into a frustrating experience that left her filing a chargeback. Alo, a high-end workout and casual apparel store, left her without answers after she attempted to exchange a Chai-colored Foxy Sherpa Jacket. When she tried to make the exchange, store associates told her that a completely different person had already returned the item, alongside other merchandise, at a store more than 200 miles away.
Surprised, Schrim took to TikTok, posting about the scam in a video that has now surpassed 15,000 views as of Jan. 14.
What happened to Schrim’s Alo order, and why is this ‘Alo fraud’?
Schrim ordered multiple items from Alo, which arrived in the mail as expected. When she opened her packages, though, she realized she wanted to make some returns and exchanges…