‘Tis the season for gift-shopping, and much like last year, online shopping is expected to see record business with some people still wary to go out and shop in a brick-and-mortar store, while others enjoyed the convenience of online shopping while in lockdown last year and will do it again.
But one thing you can be sure of is that when there is an opportunity, there will unfortunately be people looking to take advantage. In this case, it’s by selling counterfeit goods online. A recent report by U.S. Customs and Border Protection showed that $1.9 billion worth of counterfeit goods were seized in a recent seven-month period, which is up from $1.3 billion in that period a year prior.
As you fire up your computer, phone, or tablet to shop, Bannister Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing has four ways you can protect yourself not only during the holidays, but at any time of the year.
- Only Shop at Reputable Businesses
One of the easiest places for con artists to sell fake goods is through sponsored posts on social media. The next time that you see an ad that’s targeted to you, take a look at the website that’s selling the product before you buy. If you’re not familiar with the site (including marketplace sellers through Amazon), look at their customer reviews to see if anyone else has had issues purchasing through them.
- Watch for Red Flags
In addition to watching out for a business you’ve never heard of, there are other things to watch for. One key one is where the item ships from. Nearly 80 of goods seized by the U.S. come from China and Hong Kong. You’ll also want to look out for impossibly cheap items and companies that don’t provide a phone number for customer service.
- Pay With a Credit Card
If you feel you’ve been duped or you bought a product you didn’t receive and your efforts to contact customer service have gone nowhere, you can get protection through your credit card company. Dispute the charge and let the credit card company take it from there.
- Report Counterfeit Items
If you’ve inspected an item and found it to be a fake, report it to the Customs and Border Protection so they can investigate and help crack down on further cases. Provide as much information about the item and where you bought it as you can to their website or phone number (1-800-BE-ALERT).
To learn more about Bannister Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing and all of the services they offer, visit http://bannister-center.facilities.centershealthcare.org.
