Authorities warn of counterfeits as Chinese factories go viral for ‘luxury’ products
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Chinese manufacturers are going viral on TikTok, encouraging shoppers to buy directly through them to skirt new tariffs.
On screen, influencers promise products that are just like the real deal, often even made in the same factories as brand-name items, but authorities say shoppers could end up with dangerous counterfeits.
Some videos have millions of views. “Most likely, it is not the real deal,” said Chris Larkins, the supervisory program manager for U.S. Customs and Border Protection. “People making the counterfeits, they really don’t care about your health or safety. They care about making a deal, getting your money and moving onto the next thing.”
The problem of counterfeit products is not new, but videos and live streams on social media make the fakes more accessible than ever.
“We’ve all heard the stories. You went and you bought the cheap bracelet, and it turned your skin green. That could just be an allergic reaction, or you’re being exposed to a metal or a chemical that could have long term repercussions on your health,” Larkins cautioned.
“Footwear is a very popular one. A lot of material and research goes into making sure that it’s supporting your foot properly, so you end up buying a fake one, for $10, $100, $200 less. You’re out there playing basketball and you land badly, the real one would have protected your ankle. The fake one, now you might be in the emergency room.”
Some of the videos have been removed from TikTok, while others remain. So, how do you spot the fakes?
“There could be telltale signs like the clasp isn’t right. The little insignia or logo isn’t just right,” Larkins said. “Stitching is always a really good giveaway. A higher end or nicer manufacturers, they pay attention to their stitching.”
The biggest red flags are the source and the price. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
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