Facts
about
fakes
What is a counterfeit?
A counterfeit, or dupe, is a fake version of a product someone tries to sell as the real thing.
Any product can be duped from clothes to electronics to medications.
Certain fake products can cause real harm. Counterfeit electronics are known to catch fire and cause over 350,000 injuries each year. Likewise, counterfeit cosmetics include toxic chemicals that lead to skin rashes, eye infections and other conditions.
Additionally, fake medications can include dangerous ingredients like fentanyl—a highly dangerous substance 100 times more powerful than morphine. According to the DEA, six in ten counterfeit pills contain a lethal dose of fentanyl.
These are just some of the reasons counterfeits are illegal to buy, sell, and own.
Fake products cost the world’s economy $500 billion every year as money flows to criminals instead of legitimate companies. Lost revenue from counterfeits leads to millions of job losses each year.
Take three immediate steps:
- Report it to the manufacturer.
- Contact your credit card company to challenge the charge.
- Report it to one or more of the following:
