Feds Warn Of 'Copycat' Websites, Phony Certificates Of Authenticity For Counterfeit Goods
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Federal immigration and customs officials warned holiday shoppers Friday to be on the lookout for counterfeit items ahead of the Christmas shopping season.
Authorities with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) met with reporters at the Trade Enforcement Coordination Center in Carson to show off several products that may fool some consumers.
An extensive display of seized counterfeit goods were on hand, including fake Louis Vuitton bags, True Religion jeans, and phony high-end beauty products.
Authorities also warned counterfeit goods traffickers operate "copycat" websites mimicking those of legitimate vendors. Some high-end counterfeit designer goods even boast phony certificates of authenticity, officials said.
Special Agent Jere Miles with the Los Angeles ICE office told KNX 1070 NEWRADIO there are several key things to look for to determine if a website is legitimate.
"If it's a website that is not a well-known website, obviously be very cautious of that," said Miles. "Another thing to look for is if they're offering models on the website that you can't find in the normal marketplace, you should be very cautious of that as well."
Last year $1.25 billion worth of counterfeit goods were seized across the country, according to officials.
