Consumers warned about increasing counterfeit goods

The holiday shopping season is fast approaching, but retail organizations are warning consumers about the dangers of counterfeit goods. With the rise of online shopping and social media, counterfeit products are more accessible than ever before. Tourists used to flock to open-air markets in New York City to buy fake designer handbags and sunglasses.

Now these counterfeit items are just a few clicks away from the Internet. The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) is urging social media giants like Meta to crack down on online counterfeit stores. AAFA members have spent the past year fighting counterfeit goods that are taking jobs away from American retail workers.

Recently, AAFA and other trade groups displayed tables full of counterfeit products purchased online at an event on Capitol Hill. These items ranged from fake water filters to prescription drugs to Elf on the Shelf dolls. Some fake products were so convincing that they fooled both customers and law enforcement officials.

A study by Michigan State University’s Center for Anti-Counterfeiting and Product Protection found that 68 percent of consumers purchased counterfeit products at least once in the past year. Nearly 40 percent chose to keep the item even after realizing it was fraud. These knockoffs aren’t just fake; some are also dangerous.

The Water Quality Association revealed that some counterfeit water filters were filled with newspaper and failed to remove harmful substances such as lead or mercury from the water.

Consumer warning about the danger of counterfeiting

Customs and Border Protection agents seized 47 products and found that 36 percent contained toxic chemicals and heavy metals.

Authentic products undergo quality control measures to prevent contaminated items from entering the market. Scammers are able to deceive a wide range of people, especially young, religious men from lower-income households. Paul DelPonte, executive director of the National Crime Prevention Council, says it’s easy to mislead people looking for the best deals online.

The groups that make the counterfeit products are often involved in other illegal activities such as drug cartels and human trafficking. DelPonte believes holding social media companies accountable is a simple solution. Retail, apparel and drug manufacturers are lobbying for the SHOP SAFE Act, which would hold online platforms liable if a third party uses the platform to sell counterfeit goods.

AAFA has also urged the U.S. Trade Representative to add apps like Facebook, Instagram and Threads to the Notorious Markets List, which identifies websites where copyright piracy and trademark counterfeiting are taking place. While government regulation can help reduce counterfeiting, individuals also play a crucial role. Consumers should carefully review products before making a purchase, check sellers’ ratings, and demand a refund if they purchase a counterfeit item.

Writing letters to social media companies asking for greater enforcement of counterfeit laws can also make a difference. As the holiday shopping season begins, it is important that consumers are aware of the risks associated with counterfeit items. By taking steps to avoid counterfeit products and hold companies accountable, we can all help create a safer online shopping environment.