An in-depth, investigative study by Better Business Bureau finds that fraudulent consumer goods are ubiquitous, difficult to tell apart from the legitimate products they are counterfeiting, and stem from a large network of organized criminals and credit card processing mechanisms that are willing to support them.
Research shows that 8 in 10 Americans shop online, and the dominance of online retail means nearly anything can be bought online, sometimes at discounts that seem too good to be true. However, nearly anything available online can be counterfeited, and research also shows that 1 in 4 people have bought something online that turned out to be counterfeit.
The risk of encountering counterfeit goods can affect any online shopper. BBB’s report finds that any shippable item with a reputation for quality and sizable markup is a candidate for counterfeiting. While counterfeit goods are often reputed to be deeply discounted, in reality, counterfeit sellers regularly use selling prices that are close to the price of the real product, so the prices offered are no longer a signal that the product is counterfeit.
The report goes into great detail about the process of obtaining a refund and the remedies available to victims. BBB recommends consumers check the reputation of the seller before making a payment, and contact the manufacturer for a listing of authorized sellers. If you believe you have unwittingly purchased counterfeit goods, ask for a refund.
Victims who don’t receive anything when buying online with their credit card, or who receive goods that are counterfeit or not as described, should call the customer service number on the back of their card and request a refund.
