5 Tips to Avoid Counterfeits
5 Tips to Avoid Counterfeits
During The Holidays
With high inflation and a struggling economy shoppers are seeking to spend less or make the most out of their dollar this holiday season. However, this time of year is also busy for counterfeiters, with major surges in the amount of fake goods sold online.
Cheap, fake products don’t only put money in the pockets of criminals, but they also pose significant environmental and health hazards to the people buying and receiving these counterfeit gifts. And, these criminals continue to sharpen their tactics — nearly 60% of consumers found it more difficult to spot counterfeit goods in the last 12 months.
To ensure your products are genuine and safe amidst a sea of sales, here are five tips to avoid counterfeits during the holidays.
- Check the manufacturer’s website to find authorized retailers and distributors.
Not sure which source is a legitimate spot to buy gifts from? Look online for the product manufacturer’s website — they will compile a list of places where you can buy their products and trust that it’s not counterfeit.
- Insist on secure transactions.
Only purchase from trusted sources. If you’re unfamiliar with a particular “deals” website, examine it carefully to make sure it’s an authorized seller or buy from the brand itself. You’ll know that your transaction is secure if payments are submitted via websites beginning with “https://” (the “s” stands for secure) and look for a lock symbol at the top of your browser.
- Trust your instincts.
If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Compare prices with other retailers to see if a price makes sense. Research the retailer, too — if other buyers had a bad experience, chances are you will, as well.
- Only purchase items that have been tested and marked.
Looking to purchase a gift, but aren’t sure if it’s real? Products that have been safety tested will have specific markings ensuring their authenticity. The proper safety labels can often be found online.
- Products and packaging with typos and misspellings have a high likelihood of being counterfeit.
Counterfeiters will try to copy the labels, spelling, and design of the real product, but frequently fail to do so. Look out for mistakes on products you purchase to stay vigilant for fakes.
The people you love deserve the real deal this holiday season — not fakes. If you think you came across a counterfeit product, report it by visiting IPRCenter.gov and filling out the Report Form. Stay safe this holiday season!