Study shows high risk of running into counterfeit goods online

Who doesn’t like a good deal? No one likes spending a lot of money, so we tend to get excited when we see a great deal online on something we have been wanting.

However, according to a recent study by the U.S. Government Accountability Office, the risk of running into a counterfeit good — whether it’s brand-name clothing, handbags, cosmetics, golf clubs, etc. — when shopping online is high. In fact, 20 out of 47 brand name products in the study were found to be counterfeit. This study found that 88% of counterfeit goods come from China and Hong Kong.

Anyone shopping online is eventually likely to encounter fraudulent sellers. Studies have found that one in four people have bought something online that turned out to be counterfeit. Victims are not only out the money they paid for goods that are different than advertised, but they may also face health and safety risks depending on the product.

Better Business Bureau offers these tips to consider to avoid making a counterfeit purchase:

■ Buy the product directly from the company or brand itself, as opposed to a third party.

■ Reach out to the brand or manufacturer to ensure the website or vendor is legitimate.

■ Beware of red flags, such as there’s no physical address or phone number on the website, there are product quality or durability issues, the website has a lot of spelling errors and/or the email account for the seller is with Google, Hotmail, Yahoo, etc.

■ Look at customer reviews to be sure you’re buying a reliable product.

■ Look closely at the packaging and product before making your final decision. Authentic packaging is usually high quality and products are tightly packed. Check certification marks and trademarks and compare them to known authentic goods.

■ Check whether the website benefits from a trust mark, which is a stamp an objective third party awards to a seller that meets quality requirements.

■ Pay with a credit card so you can dispute the purchase if you determine it’s counterfeit. And, be sure you’re submitting your payment information on a secure web page. Look for a locked padlock on the page and the URL address should begin with “https.” Always keep your receipt.

■ Check out sellers before you buy with the BBB. Visit bbb.org or call 937-222-5825 or 800-7765301. BBB can provide lists of BBB Accredited Businesses.

If you discover you’ve purchased a counterfeit product, ask the seller for a refund. You should also report such goods to the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center, BBB and the online marketplace on which the product was listed (eBay, Amazon, Facebook, etc.)