As the holiday shopping season kicks off, shoppers should be cautious of counterfeit goods flooding the market. These fake products not only endanger consumer safety but also undermine legitimate businesses and fund criminal activities.
In Fiscal Year 2024, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seized over 32 million counterfeit items, valued at more than $5.4 billion if authentic. To address this growing issue, CBP and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce have partnered to educate consumers on shopping safely.
Tips to Protect Yourself:
- Trust Your Instincts: Deals too good to be true often are. Avoid suspicious sites and ads.
- Prioritize Secure Payments: Shop on sites with “https://” and a lock icon.
- Examine Details: Check labels, packaging, and safety seals for inconsistencies.
- Protect Your Data: Update devices and steer clear of malicious websites.
- Report Suspicious Activity: Use CBP’s Trade Violations platform to report counterfeits.
Counterfeit goods harm consumers, create environmental waste, and fund illegal enterprises. By staying vigilant, shoppers can protect themselves, support legitimate businesses, and contribute to a safer economy.
For more tips, visit the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Shop Smart resources and CBP’s Truth Behind Counterfeits website.
