Basketball fans across the country watch or head to National Basketball Association (NBA) events and are often eager to purchase or take home a NBA memorable keepsake. Counterfeiters use just this enthusiasm to prey on unsuspecting fans, and sell them unauthorized and poorly made knock-off merchandise.
Counterfeiters not only victimize legitimate authorized retailers, they also take advantage of basketball fans who believe they are purchasing authentic NBA gear, only to later learn they have purchased merchandise of inferior quality.
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is working with U.S. Immigration and Custom's Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) to caution unsuspecting fans against counterfeiters attempting to sell unauthorized and poorly made knock-off merchandise.
The NBA has a comprehensive anti-counterfeiting program to protect fans looking to purchase genuine NBA jerseys and merchandise. To avoid being victimized by counterfeiters, basketball fans should:
- Look for the hologram sticker or holographic hangtag and a sewn-in or screen-printed label identifying the name of the NBA licensee (e.g., Adidas, Majestic, UNK, Mitchell & Ness, etc.).
- Shop at NBA-authorized retail locations, rather than buying items from street vendors, flea markets or other questionable sources.
- Shop online at NBAStore.com or other NBA authorized online retailers.
- Beware of ripped tags or irregular markings on apparel.
You can be assured that you are receiving authentic NBA quality merchandise from NBAstore.com or at NBA-authorized retail locations, rather than buying items from street vendors, flea markets or other questionable sources.
When you buy from authorized NBA retailers you are assured of authentic quality products in the style and for team you want.
Counterfeiters are very good at producing deceptive products to fool you, like these NBA jerseys for only $16.99 on a China website.
When you buy counterfeit products you are not receiving authentic NBA quality.
Counterfeit can produce a variety of memorabilia to deceive you.
These sports figures are available on a China website for just $15 with free shipping to the US. Counterfeit products are often re-listed on eBay and sold to unsuspecting buyers.
Seizures of counterfeit NBA products, like these Laker's jerseys by US Customs is common.
Trafficking in counterfeit goods will get you plenty of attention - from US Customs and Border Protection.
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