holiday shopping

Government Warns Shoppers of Rise in Counterfeit Retailers During Holiday Shopping Season

Officials have seen an increase of counterfeit goods being sold directly to customers as well as a rise in the use of the dark web.

As America’s major shopping season shifts into gear with Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, the Department of Homeland Security is warning shoppers to not get “fleeced by fakes” and avoid online scammers.

The department confiscated more than $500 million worth of counterfeit goods in the past year, ABC News reported. Investigators pointed to two recent stings that involved a website illegally selling counterfeit New York Jets jerseys and another retailer offering “free shipping all over the world” for baby carriers. The agency took down both sites after they were flagged by users.

Scammers often use extreme discounts and giveaways to entice customers to visit their sites, leading customers to purchase counterfeit clothing and other materials without knowing the source.

“We’re seeing a tremendous influx of counterfeit goods going directly to consumers,” Steve Francis, assistant director of the DHS Global Trade Investigations Division, told ABC News. He added that the agency has seen an increase in the use of the “dark web” to sell illicit goods as well as the use of online currencies like bitcoin.

Criminals know that they are unlikely to be prosecuted for their crimes because of the incredibly large amount of online retailers, Francis said.

“The risk of being arrested and prosecuted is low but the profit is extraordinary,” Francis said.

Customers looking to reduce the risk of being scammed by retailers selling illegal or counterfeit goods should make sure to keep their receipts and check to see if they were overcharged for a product purchased online. In addition, experts warned Americans to look out for people trying to use publicly available information (including social media profiles, addresses and names) to hack online orders and access their bank accounts.

On Twitter, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement told consumers: “If the price is too good to be true, it probably is.”

Shoppers should also avoid websites that have unusual addresses or lack contact information for the seller. Another red flag, the agency said, is websites that offer different designs or models than those that are sold by major online retailers.

About the Author

Haley Samsel is an Associate Content Editor for the Infrastructure Solutions Group at 1105 Media.

Featured

  • Accelerating a Pathway

    There is a new trend touting the transformational qualities of AI’s ability to deliver actionable data and predictive analysis that in many instances, seems to be a bit of an overpromise. The reality is that very few solutions in the cyber-physical security (CPS) space live up to this high expectation with the one exception being the new generation of Physical Identity and Access Management (PIAM) software – herein recategorized as PIAM+. Read Now

  • Protecting Your Zones

    It is game day. You can feel the crowd’s energy. In the parking lot. At the gate. In the stadium. On the concourse. Fans are eager to party. Food and merchandise vendors ready themselves for the rush. Read Now

  • Street Smarts

    The ongoing acceptance of AI and advanced data analytics has allowed surveillance camera technology to shift from being a tactical tool to a strategic business solution. Combining traditional surveillance technology with AI-based data-driven insights can streamline transportation systems, enhance traffic management, improve situational awareness, optimize resource allocation and streamline emergency response procedures. Read Now

  • The Progress of Biometrics

  • Next-Gen AI for Smart Cities

    The future of smart city technology is not being shaped in Silicon Valley — it is taking root in Dubuque, Iowa. With a population of about 60,000, this mid-sized city has become a live testbed for AI-driven traffic management thanks to a unique public-private collaboration led by Milestone Systems. Project Hafnia demonstrates how cities can transform urban mobility and safety through Responsible Technology—without costly infrastructure overhauls. Read Now

New Products

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.