Tips to Avoid Online Counterfeits

A counterfeit product is advertised and sold as low-quality imitations of original items. The selling of these products is a form of consumer fraud and is more common in today’s world than most would think.

Examples of counterfeit products that are often advertised online can include things like:

• Headphones with bad sound quality
• Products that do not meet health and safety standards
• Shoes that should last over a year but wear out in months, and more.

Because they sell their products online, counterfeit sellers are difficult to shut down which is how so many consumers find themselves making a bad purchase and making themselves vulnerable to other cybercrimes, such as identity theft.

With these products being everywhere, there are tips you can utilize to make sure you are not a victim to counterfeit sellers while shopping online:

• Research the seller. To avoid fraud, it is important to try and buy directly from the company itself. If you are looking to buy from a third-party vendor, do some research on that seller to make sure it is legit before purchasing.
• Be wary of discounts. If a seller is listing a product for less than on the brand’s established website, that could be a red flag for fraud.
• Read the customer reviews. Bad customer experiences with the product or seller could be another indication of fraud.
• Scan any product photos for brand markings, logos, or unique details. Before shopping online for a specific product, get familiar with branding on the product’s established site, so you can spot a fake being sold before you buy it.

Identity Theft Protection from HHWA Legal

If you haven’t already, you can sign up for the free identity theft benefit provided through your HHWA Legal and Personal Protection plan. Among other identity theft protection services, this benefit provides:

• Identity monitoring 
• Social Security monitoring 
• Debit or credit card monitoring 
• Identity theft restoration 
• Lost or stolen credit card assistance 
• And more 

Sign up by tapping below and filling out a form.