Counterfeit toys are a problem year-round, but during the holiday season the problem is especially pronounced. When people are trying to find those highly sought after toys, counterfeiters are hard at work trying to make cheap replicas that will fool a purchaser, and disappoint (and potentially harm) a recipient. Despite the best efforts of customs and other federal investigators, counterfeit toys do get through and get sold to unsuspecting consumers.
Some fake toys can look identical to the originals, but may contain differences that are imperceptible to the naked eye, such as using lead based paint. One of the biggest concerns when it comes to fake toys are the materials that get used. Toy safety is a highly regulated industry that requires manufacturers to comply with extensive safety regulations. Counterfeiters ignore these regulations which, in turn, put children’s lives in peril.
How to Spot Counterfeit Toys
It may be impossible to spot a really good counterfeit, however a majority of counterfeits can be easily spotted with some attention to detail. When shopping online, this can be more difficult due to the fact that you may receive a different item than what was pictured. However, if you are in a store, temporary holiday market/fair, or buying toys out of someone’s trunk, inspect the packaging and actual product if possible.
Related Resources:
- Don’t Fall for a Gift Card Scam This Holiday Season (FindLaw’s Common Law)
- Christmas Trees Cause Hundreds of Fires Every Year: 4 Safety Tips (FindLaw’s Common Law)
- How to Spot Bot-Generated Craigslist Scams (FindLaw’s Common Law)
- Holiday Horrors: Unsafe Toys and other Nightmares Before (FindLaw’s Common Law)
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