The U.S. National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center) has launched a new holiday shopping toolkit to help consumers protect themselves from substandard or even hazardous counterfeit electronics and other products.
“Criminals don’t take the holidays off, so it’s important for consumers to be aware of ways they can protect themselves this busy season,” said Carlton Peeples of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division.
The holiday shopping toolkit includes online shopping do’s and don’ts, ways to protect financial and banking information, educational videos and infographics, and general information on how to spot fake merchandise.
Counterfeit goods not only cheat the consumer with substandard and potentially hazardous products, but the websites used can also put shoppers at risk of having their personal and financial data stolen for other nefarious purposes. Counterfeit electronics are a particular risk, as they can overheat and explode.
