Three P's Help Holiday Shoppers Avoid Online Counterfeit Products
December 18, 2017 - Los Angeles, CA – While it is often difficult for consumers to determine if an item is counterfeit, The Counterfeit Report suggests shoppers use these three quick tips to help spot a knockoff or counterfeit item.
- Price
If the product is significantly cheaper than other advertised items, that's a red flag.
- Packaging
Familiarize yourself with the way the authentic item is packaged. Review the manufacturer's website for product details and models. Authentic items don't have misspellings or punctuation errors. Colors and text should be clear and professional. Be very wary of unpackaged items, or items in plastic bags, usually with accompanying claims of "OEM" (Original Equipment Manufacturer), or the use of "Genuine" or "Authentic" in the listing.
- Place
Consumers can no longer trust Amazon or Walmart to sell only authentic items - both are direct retailers of counterfeit items. Like eBay, both have also opened their websites to global third-party sellers who can easily list and sell counterfeits right alongside authentic items. Consumers who want a guaranteed authentic items should buy directly from the manufacturer's website, or actual manufacturer if they maintain a listing on Amazon. Be cautious of "look-alike" websites that can easily deceive consumers into believing they are buying from the manufacturer. When in doubt - pick up the telephone and call. If the website does not have proper contact information, the product is not shipping from the U.S., the buyer is redirected to an external online payment system during checkout, or the item shown on the website is a model or design that you've not spotted anywhere else, it may not be the authentic product.
Consumers are urged to check The Counterfeit Report for a visual guide to counterfeits, and can directly report counterfeits to the manufacturer and authorities right on the website.
The Counterfeit Report has identified and removed over 22.6 million online items destined for consumers. Don't believe you can't get a fake. The popular gift items below were all purchased online - they are all counterfeit.
(Photo: The Counterfeit Report®) Vans® does not make iPhone® 6&7 cell phone cases, counterfeit fragrances and cosmetics may contain lead, urine, antifreeze, beryllium, cadmium or other carcinogens. Monster® never made a 'Tron" headphone, and there is no such product as a SanDisk® 64GB microSDHC® memory card. Counterfeit Lego® toys may contain lead, shatter and do not meet U.S. safety standards. The EOtech® rifle sight lacks the correct optics components and the Bear Grylls® knife cracked during the photo shoot.
