A US Government Warning to Avoid Counterfeit Goods This Holiday Season

It seems to be annual, if not more often, that the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol reminds us to avoid counterfeit products, citing consumer safety and U.S. economic security risks. As with the old adage, “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is”, the same is true of shopping for deals. Moreover, as CBP says, buying and promoting fakes is not a victimless crime.

Image courtesy: cop.com

Holding a media event in Laredo, Texas, Port Director Albert Flores, Laredo Port of Entry, said:

“As gift buying starts to ramp up this holiday season, we would like to advise the public to avoid buying counterfeit goods or goods of unknown or dubious origin either online, from brick and mortar stores, flea markets or elsewhere . . . CBP and HSI are working together as a trade enforcement force multiplier to identify, interdict, investigate and penalize or prosecute companies and individuals that would try to import and sell counterfeit goods, unsafe goods that may cause grave harm not only to the consumer but also to the licensed U.S. trademark holders and U.S. economic security.”

Craig Larrabee, Special Agent in Charge, HSI San Antonio, added:

Criminals don’t take the holidays off, so it’s important for consumers to be aware of ways they can protect themselves this busy season . . .The sale of counterfeit products deliver inferior and often dangerous goods into the economy, rob Americans of good-paying jobs and generate proceeds that are often funneled back into other criminal enterprises. HSI will continue to work with its enforcement partners to combat the distribution of counterfeit products. We want to remind consumers that when out buying items this holiday season if the price seems too good to be true, it probably is.”

Handbags are among the most popular luxury designer items to be duplicated and sold both to people aware of the (lack of) provenance and those unassuming and unaware. Recall the recent billion dollar bust of fake designer products in NYC with photos displaying racks of counterfeit bags.