If you suspect that someone is producing or selling counterfeit goods, you can submit a report online to the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center. Other federal agencies that investigate reports of counterfeit goods include: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
In this post
What do I do if I receive a counterfeit item?
Contact The Anti-Fraud Centre
The CAFC is the central agency that collects intelligence on anything that has to do with fraud. They’ll do all the work of contacting the right people and can also sometimes get you your money back for being tricked.
How do I report a counterfeit product sold?
Report an Online Vendor Selling Fakes
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
- Food and Drug Administration.
- Office of Intellectual Property Rights.
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
- National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center.
How do you prove counterfeit goods?
Signs that indicate a product could be a counterfeit include:
- Not being able to find the identical product on the manufacturer’s official site.
- Differences in design.
- Different product descriptions. Look for what materials the product is made from and its dimensions.
- A significant difference in price.
What is considered a counterfeit product?
A counterfeit is an item that uses someone else’s trademark without their permission. By making or selling a counterfeit, criminals seek to profit unfairly from the trademark owner’s reputation. Counterfeiting is a fraudulent imitation (a forgery) of a trusted brand and product, and it is a serious crime.
How do I get my money back from a counterfeit?
Contact the company or bank that issued the credit card or debit card. Tell them it was a fraudulent charge. Ask them to reverse the transaction and give you your money back.
What are the most counterfeited products?
More videos on YouTube
- Watches/jewelry: 13%
- Handbags/wallets: 11%
- Consumer electronics: 10%
- Consumer products: 8%
- Pharmaceuticals/personal care: 7%
- Optical media: 2%
- Toys: 1%
- Computers/accessories: 1%
Who investigates counterfeit?
Other federal agencies that investigate reports of counterfeit goods include:
- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
- The Food and Drug Administration.
- The Office of Intellectual Property Rights.
- The Federal Bureau of Investigation.
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
What is the difference between counterfeit and knock off?
According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, “knockoff: A copy that sells for less than the original.”, “counterfeit: Made in imitation of something else with intent to deceive.” The key difference between the way these are defined is by the words “copy” and “imitation”.
Is selling replicas illegal?
In the U.S., it’s illegal for a person to sell counterfeit merchandise. Both state and federal laws prohibit this type of conduct. If you knowingly sell or intend to sell a fake item, you could be sentenced to years in prison and/or be ordered to pay steep fines.
Where do most counterfeit products come from?
According to The Counterfeit Report, “China produces 80% of the world’s counterfeits and we’re supporting China.
What are examples of counterfeiting?
Counterfeit products come in various forms. Many people have been exposed to knock-off name-brand shoes, purses, jewelry, and other desired but expensive items. It is against the law to produce and sell unlicensed brand products. States often punish these types of counterfeiting crimes as a form of theft.
What are the consequences of fake goods?
Overview. The production and trafficking of counterfeit goods poses a significant health and safety threat to consumers. It also impacts the economic growth of legitimate businesses and consumers through lost revenue, downtime, and replacement costs.
What are the laws against counterfeiting?
Few of the laws that provide anti-counterfeiting remedies are: The Trademarks Act 1999, The Copyright Act 1957, The Patents Act 1970, The Designs Act, The Geographical Indications Act 1999, The Customs Act, 1962, The Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940, The Prevention of Food Adulteration Act 1954, The Consumer Protection Act
What are the consequences of counterfeiting?
The impact of counterfeiting
They receive poor-quality goods at an excessive price and are sometimes exposed to health and safety dangers. Governments lose out on unpaid tax and incur large costs in enforcing intellectual property rights.
Will my bank refund me if I get scammed?
If you paid by bank transfer or Direct Debit
Contact your bank immediately to let them know what’s happened and ask if you can get a refund. Most banks should reimburse you if you’ve transferred money to someone because of a scam.
Can I dispute a charge for a counterfeit item?
If a customer makes a purchase, but the goods turn out to be fake, the customer should contact the merchant to demand a refund. But, if the merchant is unresponsive or not helpful, the buyer would be entitled to a counterfeit goods chargeback.
Can I get my money back if I got scammed?
If you present reasonable evidence that you were the victim of a scam, your bank or credit card company may be legally obligated to refund the money. Government agencies that protect consumer rights can help you get your money back if your bank or credit card company refuses to cooperate.
What is the most faked brand?
Apple. Apple is the most counterfeited tech brand in the world and, like fake medications, bogus Apple goods are potentially fatal.
What is the most faked item?
Nike Air Jordans
Nike is likely the most heavily counterfeited brand in the world, and it’s not uncommon for authorities to seize millions of dollars worth of fakes bound for U.S. consumers to purchase online. The Nike knockoffs are often made in China.
What is the most common counterfeit item?
These are the 9 most counterfeited products in America.
- Handbags/Wallets. > MSRP of seized goods: $700.2 million.
- Watches/Jewelry. > MSRP of seized goods: $502.8 million.
- Consumer Electronics/Parts.
- Wearing Apparel/Accessories.
- Pharmaceuticals/Personal Care.
- Footwear.
- Computers/Accessories.
- Labels/Tags.