How to detect fraudulent sites selling fakes | Europol (2024)

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How to detect fraudulent sites selling fakes | Europol (2024)

FAQs

How to check if a website is legitimate? ›

How to check if a website is legit
  1. Study the address bar and URL.
  2. Investigate the SSL certificate.
  3. Check the website for poor grammar or spelling.
  4. Verify the domain.
  5. Check the contact page.
  6. Look up and review the company's social media presence.
  7. Check for the website's privacy policy.

How do I report a website for selling fakes? ›

Report an Online Vendor Selling Fakes
  1. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. ...
  2. Food and Drug Administration. ...
  3. Office of Intellectual Property Rights. ...
  4. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) ...
  5. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) ...
  6. National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center.

How could you most likely identify a website that is selling counterfeit goods? ›

An untrusted and/or dubious website

Before making a purchase on a website you don't recognise, paste the web address into a domain checking tool such as Whois Lookup to find out where the seller or company is located. If the address is not listed or has been left out, that should raise suspicion.

Can you report someone for selling fake goods? ›

You have the legal right to a refund if you've bought something that's fake or counterfeit. You can also report the seller to Trading Standards or report the seller for fraud. Trading Standards might take legal action against the seller, but they can't help you to get your money back.

Can you check if a website is safe? ›

In Chrome, open a web page. To check a site's security, to the left of the web address, check the security status symbol: Secure. Info or Not secure.

How do you check if a link is safe? ›

How to Check if a Link Is Safe: 6 Effective Methods to Check URL + Secure Browsing Tips
  1. Use a Link Checker Tool.
  2. Make Sure the Site Uses HTTPS.
  3. Look for Legit Contact Information.
  4. Examine Google Reviews.
  5. Check the Domain Age and Ownership.
  6. Utilize a Backlink Analysis Tool.
Mar 26, 2023

Is it illegal to buy knockoffs? ›

California Penal Code 350 PC makes it a crime to manufacture, sell, or possess for sale, any counterfeit trademarks. Trademark Infringement and counterfeit goods is described under California Penal Code 350, which prohibits possessing, selling, or manufacturing counterfeit goods with a registered trademark.

What can I do if someone sells me a fake product? ›

If you suspect that someone is producing or selling counterfeit goods, you can submit a report online to the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center.

Can you report fake websites? ›

Visit the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to report the scam online at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The FTC works to protect consumers and offers tips to help safeguard personal information.

How do you check if the item is original? ›

How to identify fakes and other IPR infringing goods
  1. Examine the quality of the product. ...
  2. Be wary of unusually low prices. ...
  3. Inspect the packaging carefully. ...
  4. Check if logos and trademarks are displayed correctly.

What is the most popular counterfeit? ›

Shoes and footwear

Footwear is the most counterfeited product in the world. For counterfeiters, function is second to form.

Is it legal to sell replicas? ›

Counterfeiting is the act of making or selling lookalike goods or services bearing fake trademarks. Are you considering starting a business that involves selling unauthorized merchandise such as fake Gucci handbags? The sale of counterfeit goods (as described below) is illegal, as you're probably aware.

How do I report someone selling fake purses? ›

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigates criminal counterfeiting, piracy, and other federal crimes. You can report suspicions concerning the manufacture or sale of counterfeit or pirated goods to the FBI by contacting your local FBI Office and asking to speak with the Duty Complaint Agent.

Is it possible to stop selling fake goods? ›

Follow Through and Legal Action

Once a brand finds their product is being produced in the counterfeit world, it is necessary to follow through and take legal action. For instance, the company could send a cease and desist letter or look into civil litigation.

How do I know if a website is safe Reddit? ›

You can check the hash of the website assets against the one you're delivered, a valid signature and matching hash means it hasn't been tampered with. In your case you'd have to rely on the signature based scanning of an antivirus or virustotal.

Is Shopify genuine? ›

Is Shopify a trustworthy site? Shopify is one of the most popular ecommerce platforms, trusted and used by millions of merchants around the world. Its secure, easy-to-use interface makes it an ideal choice for any business looking to move its products online.

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