CBP Shares Top Five Tips to Avoid Online Scams

Washington, DC–With the holiday shopping season in full swing, U.S. Customs and Border Protection is cautioning consumers about counterfeit products sold by illegitimate sources over the internet and in underground outlets.

CBP seized over 23.2 million counterfeit items in fiscal year 2023 that, had they been genuine, would have had a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of over $2.8 billion. In Los Angeles Field Office alone, CBP officers and import specialists seized an estimated total manufacturer’s suggested retail price of over $952 million, had the goods been genuine, from October 1, 2022, to the end of August 2023. The most pirated items included wearing apparel, accessories, handbags, wallets, footwear, watches, jewelry, and consumer electronics.

“The rise of e-commerce offers a haven for criminals who are now able to hide behind seemingly legitimate listings on well-known websites, making it difficult to differentiate fakes from the real ones,” said CBP Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Commissioner Troy Miller. “In addition, consumers may not be aware that the money they pay often supports criminal activities, such as forced labor or human trafficking.”

This shopping season, CBP is offering the Top Five Tips to protect yourself and your family against online scams:

1. Price: The most important red flag. Counterfeiters offer their fakes at a 50% to 70% discount to ensure a quick sale – if the price seems too good to be true, it probably is.
2. Website: Analyze carefully – look for grammatical errors and misspellings. Look for foreign or suspicious URL and HTTP addresses.
3. Fake Reviews: Counterfeiters may use false reviews to obtain an unfair advantage over legitimate businesses. E-commerce experts indicate that 30% to 40% of reviews are fabricated or non-genuine.
4. Customer Service: Make sure the seller has a working U.S. phone number and a legitimate address in the U.S. We advise to contact customer service before making your purchase.
5. Review CBP’s E-Commerce Counterfeit Awareness Guide for Consumers.