I ordered some Microsoft software off the Internet but when it arrived and I tried to load it onto my computer, I kept getting an error message. I called the company only to find out that not only had it not shipped these products to me, but also I luckily had avoided a major crash. Turns out I ordered counterfeit products from an illegal business. What do you know about problems like this? Lucky Lucy

Dear Lucy: Obviously, I don’t know as much as I thought I did! Frankly, my experience with “counterfeit” products is limited to designer handbags, wallets, watches, cameras, and the like; yet, what I discovered upon researching your problem truly is hair-raising, terrifying information that we all need to know.

A counterfeit product, of course, is an item that’s manufactured and sold without the authorization of the trademark or copyright owner (kinda like someone using my trademarked scull-and-pen-inkwell logo, especially for profit, without my permission). Most counterfeit products are a good bit less expensive than the real deal and, even though many of us are guilty of occasionally buying knock-offs, we must remember these purchases mean that everyone from designers on down to the stores lose lots of money from the sales. Think of this issue in very simplistic terms. Your fourth-grade son sells fresh, home-made lemonade for 50 cents a cup each Saturday morning, and he donates 100 percent of his proceeds to Children’s Cancer research. Down at the other corner, a high school junior (no insult intended to teens) also sells and advertises fresh, home-made lemonade with the proceeds donated to the same charity. The difference between the two is that Teddy Teen’s lemonade is frozen, and Teddy donates his proceeds, instead, to his own wallet.

Another problem occurs when a fake product fails (and most times it will). Because it generally includes no warranty, you’ll be out of luck getting any part of your money back. Bogus Internet buys often are shoddy, and when we try to get problems resolved or repairs made, legitimate dealers won’t help you. But you ask, “So? It’s not like my money’s in a life-or-death purchase.” Unfortunately, my investigation proves otherwise (see “hair-raising, scary”).

Along with the typical counterfeit products, this arena also includes baby formula, children’s clothing, cosmetics, medications, medical devices, food products, and auto and aircraft parts, among others! Since I’m flying soon, I’m a bit anxious to learn that my aircraft probably has at least a few counterfeit parts in it and, in fact, airplanes and helicopters have crashed because of these second-rate pieces. Counterfeit auto parts -particularly brake pads — also caused deaths. Counterfeit shampoo has caused hair loss, counterfeit stomach medicine has caused ulcers and counterfeit toys and baby foods have caused serious problems for our children (recall the recent fracas over Chinese-manufactured items). Copies of kids’ clothing normally aren’t flame retardant, and counterfeit sunglasses generally aren’t shatterproof or UV protected.

One way to know for sure that a Web site is phony is if it refers to the “Code 431.322.12 of the Internet Privacy Act signed by Bill Clinton in 1995” at the main page or in the disclaimer portion. Not only are these sites running criminal enterprises and offering illegal items but, more, this “Act” does not even exist! So while it’s terrific to be able to save a bunch of money, it’s even more imperative to make safe purchases, in person and online. Please contact your state and federal representatives and demand more safeguards to protect us from this menace.

Editor’s Note: Ellen Phillips is a retired English teacher who has written two consumer-oriented books. Her Consumer Watch column appears on Saturdays in the Business section of the paper.

Comments