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cover of episode How to avoid counterfeit and unsafe products online

How to avoid counterfeit and unsafe products online

2024/10/22
logo of podcast Life Kit: Money

Life Kit: Money
AI Deep Dive AI Insights AI Chapters Transcript
People
C
Carrie Kammel
M
Marielle
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Carrie Kammel: 我是密歇根州立大学反假冒和产品保护中心的主任。假冒产品是指未经授权使用商标,以其他公司的声誉牟利。假冒产品不仅浪费金钱,而且可能存在安全隐患,甚至危及生命。例如,假冒电子产品可能发生故障或起火;假冒药品或化妆品可能含有危险化学物质或有害杂质。在线购物时,很难区分真假产品,即使拿到真假产品,也很难分辨。假冒产品几乎存在于所有行业,包括玩具、汽车、日用品、婴儿配方奶粉和食品等。假冒的汽车安全部件(如安全气囊和刹车片)也存在极大的安全隐患。 在线购物时,最安全的方式是直接从品牌官网或制造商处购买产品。在亚马逊等电商平台购买时,要确保是从品牌官方商店购买,而不是第三方卖家。从亚马逊或沃尔玛等平台直接购买(而非第三方卖家)比从第三方卖家购买风险更低。从第三方卖家处购买产品风险最高,因为其产品来源不明。在电商平台上购物时,要仔细检查卖家的信息,例如其地址、销售的产品类型和公司名称等,以识别潜在风险。 网上购买药品和个人护理产品风险极高,因为很容易被伪造,且可能含有有害物质。超过90%的在线药房都是假的。我绝不从第三方卖家处购买维生素、药品等产品,即使是一些看似风险较低的产品(如伸缩式狗链),从第三方卖家处购买也可能存在安全隐患。虽然并非所有第三方卖家都是不良商家,但应谨慎选择,并参考产品评论。实体店偶尔也会出现假冒产品,通常是由于不良行为者渗透到合法供应链中。从实体店购买假冒产品,消费者可以更容易地进行投诉和维权。在跳蚤市场等低价商品场所购买商品时,应提高警惕,因为这些商品的来源可能不明。 对于一些明显的假冒产品,消费者可以通过观察标签、气味等方式进行识别,但随着技术的进步,假冒产品的质量也在提高。消费者应尽量从正规渠道购买产品,并注意识别产品异常情况。怀疑购买到假冒伪劣产品后,应向电商平台、品牌方或执法部门举报。《知情消费者法案》赋予了州检察长对电商平台提起诉讼的权力。 Marielle: 网上购买处方药和个人护理产品时,应直接从品牌官方渠道购买。除了假冒产品外,还需警惕其他类型的危险产品,即使产品并非假冒,也可能存在安全隐患,例如购买不符合美国市场标准的灯具。亚马逊采取措施防止假冒伪劣产品上架,并提供退款服务。实体店购物比网购更安全,因为消费者对实体店的信任度更高。

Deep Dive

Key Insights

What percentage of people were deceived into buying counterfeit products online last year?

Nearly 70 percent of people were deceived into buying a counterfeit product online at least once last year.

Why are counterfeit products dangerous?

Counterfeit products can be harmful due to the use of dangerous chemicals, filth, or other substances that shouldn't be ingested or applied to the body. Fake electronics can malfunction or catch fire, and counterfeit life-saving products like airbags or brake pads can fail in emergencies.

What are some examples of commonly counterfeited products?

Counterfeit products span across industries, including luxury items, toys, automotive parts, baby formula, food, and pharmaceuticals.

How can you avoid buying counterfeit products online?

The safest way to avoid counterfeits is to buy directly from the brand's website or manufacturer. On e-commerce platforms, ensure you're buying from the brand or a verified seller, not a third-party seller.

What should you do if you suspect a product you bought is counterfeit?

Stop using the product immediately and report it to the e-commerce platform. You can also reach out to the legitimate brand to verify its authenticity and report the seller to a U.S. government agency.

What percentage of online pharmacies are fake?

Over 90% of online pharmacies are fake, according to the Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies.

What are some warning signs of a counterfeit product?

Warning signs include misspellings on packaging, incorrect logos or colors, unusual smells, or sellers offering unrelated products like kitchen goods alongside electronics or backpacks.

What should you avoid buying from third-party sellers online?

Avoid buying pharmaceuticals, vitamins, and other potentially dangerous products like retractable dog leashes or electronics from third-party sellers.

How can you verify if an online pharmacy is legitimate?

Check FDA.gov for links to pharmacy licensing databases for states and U.S. territories. If the pharmacy isn't listed, the FDA advises not to use it.

What are the risks of buying counterfeit products in physical stores?

Counterfeit products can still appear in physical stores, especially in discount or flea market-style stores. The risk is that you may not be able to trace the seller if the product is harmful, unlike with legitimate brick-and-mortar stores.

Chapters
This chapter explores the dangers of counterfeit products, highlighting the risks associated with fake electronics, medications, and other goods. It emphasizes that counterfeit products often lack quality testing and safety considerations, potentially leading to serious health consequences and even death.
  • Counterfeit products can malfunction or catch fire.
  • Counterfeit medications or skincare products can contain dangerous chemicals or filth.
  • Counterfeit safety products like car airbags or brake pads can be extremely risky.

Shownotes Transcript

Nearly 70 percent of people were deceived into buying a counterfeit product online at least once last year, according to research from Michigan State University. And buying knockoff versions of products can be dangerous. Kari Kammel, the director at the Center for Anti Counterfeiting and Product Protection at Michigan State University, shares tips for how to avoid counterfeit and unsafe products, especially online.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices)NPR Privacy Policy)