New York authorities warn of counterfeit items ahead of holiday season – NBC New York (47)

NEW YORK — US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in New York are sounding the alarm about counterfeit goods ahead of the holiday season.

Just in time for the holiday shopping craze, HSI and CBP hosted a joint media event Thursday on counterfeit goods and how consumers can protect themselves from buying “fake” branded items.

“CBP’s primary mission is to protect our nation by facilitating legitimate trade and travel. This includes protecting consumers from unsafe goods. We accomplish this mission by working with industry, HSI, other federal agencies and foreign governments to detect and interdict cross-border trade in these harmful and dangerous illicit products,” said Frank Russo, director of CBP’s New York field office. “The risks associated with buying counterfeit products are significant. The lower prices you pay can mean a high cost to you and your family.

Every year, CBP seizes counterfeit products from around the world. In fiscal 2020, CBP seized more than 27,000 shipments of counterfeit IPR-infringing products worth more than $3.3 billion, if the products were genuine.

“During the holiday season, shoppers should be on the lookout for potentially dangerous products as they search for the best deals online. From the dangers of faulty electronics to tainted personal care products, counterfeit products put your safety at risk at the cost of your hard-earned cash. Shopping on dubious websites can also put your personal and financial information at risk, as you may be handing over your most sensitive private information to scammers. If a deal sounds too good to be true, it most likely is,” said Marina Vides, deputy special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in New York.

Intellectual property theft and the trade in counterfeit goods threaten the US economy, stifle innovation and pose a danger to the health and safety of consumers, the CBP said.

If you have information about suspected fraud or illegal business activity, contact CBP via the e-Allegations online corporate whistleblowing system or by calling 1-800-BE-ALERT. Violations of intellectual property rights can also be reported to the National Coordination Center for Intellectual Property Rights.