As the pandemic continues, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) reports a surge in trademark counterfeiting. Because COVID-19 has created such a high demand for certain goods such as masks, cleaning supplies, and treatments, the fraudulent advertising and sale of counterfeit products is on the rise.
To help consumers and businesses avoid falling victim to such schemes, the USPTO has created the “four Ps” for spotting bogus products.
1. Place
When making a purchase, consider the source. Is this a vendor you commonly use? If you are purchasing through an e-commerce platform such as Amazon, Shopify, etc., pay attention to the reviews.
2. Price
Know the estimated price of the product you plan to purchase. If the product you are purchasing is priced extremely low, consider this a “red flag” that something is not right. As they say, “If the price sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”
3. Packaging
When comparison shopping, make note of any differences in packaging of the same product. Compare the pictures of the advertised product versus what you may already have on hand. Are they different?
If you do not own the product, perhaps look up the product online and compare it to your potential purchase. Also, when you receive your product, pay close attention to the packaging and see if there are any differences in the colors, print, and graphics.
4. Product
If you have used the product in the past, compare the new shipment to what you have purchased previously. Does the product have a certain scent, look, feel? Be aware of any noticeable difference.
If you suspect that you have purchased a counterfeit product for your business during this pandemic, you can report to the following agencies.
- Department of Homeland Security – Email COVID19FRAUD@DHS.GOV
- Federal Trade Commission – File a complaint
- Food & Drug Administration – File a complaint