Counterfeit Products Get "Amazon's Choice" Endorsement

Amazon endorses counterfeit and fraudulent products.

November 21, 2019 - Los Angeles, CA – Amazon offers consumers a strong incentive and the assurance that Amazon is "finding products to fit your needs" with its coveted "Amazon's Choice" product endorsement and special banner in selected Amazon listings. Consumers believing the product is an authentic, quality item may be in for a big surprise -- the endorsement is a sham, and the product may be fraudulent or counterfeit.

The Counterfeit Report, an award-winning consumer advocate and industry watchdog, found dozens of Amazon listings for counterfeit and fraudulent products featuring the "Amazon's Choice" banner.

The batteries shown in the listing below and sold directly by Amazon are fraudulent and have a fire and explosion risk. There is no legitimate 18650 Lithium-ion ("Li-ion") battery with a capacity over 3800mAh -- all 9800mAh 18650 batteries are a fraud. In fact, Amazon prohibits the sale of ALL individual 18650 batteries, however, the phony and dangerous items are common on Amazon, sold by Amazon as a direct seller and marketplace sellers, and fulfilled by Amazon warehouses.

Already plagued by a FTC review and U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) counterfeit investigation, allegations of bribes to employees, fake product reviews, data hacking and a cesspool of counterfeits, fraud, and scams, Amazon is no longer a safe choice for consumers.

Consumers are easily deceived with an inexhaustible flood of counterfeit and replica products, fraudulent sellers, and scams.

With about 50% of U.S. e-commerce sales, Amazon has massive penetration into the consumer market with devastating effects on competitors, retailers, and consumers. Amazon reports that over 200,000 brands are fighting counterfeit products on its websites, and Amazon receives an infringement notice for 1 of every 100 customer page views. Hardly a testimonial to a safe consumer environment.

Through huge legal loopholes and virtually immune to prosecution, IP laws, and safety standards, Amazon continues to enable and facilitate criminal activity while profiting from counterfeit sales which destroy manufacturers, deceive consumers, and destroy jobs and public trust. Amazon takes a transaction fee for each item sold, raking in $11.2 billion in profit in 2018 and $5.6 billion in 2017, but paid no federal income tax.

The major retailers (Kroger, Costco, Home Depot, Target, Lowes, Best Buy, etc.) offer consumers competitive local and online purchase options with prompt delivery.

Consumers have the choice to shop elsewhere.