News > Countering the Counterfeits

Countering the Counterfeits

February 17, 2022

Imagine you got a great deal on a new gadget you purchased online – something that sounds fun or will make your life more convenient. It finally arrives to your house. As you open the box it came in, you see some misspelled words and notice it has funny markings on it. As you look further, you realize you don’t recognize the testing company. Popular Testing companies include United Laboratories (UL), Intertek (ETL) and Canadian Standards Association (CSA).

You hesitate and something tells you to look a little closer at the product before you plug the gadget into the outlet or charger. You get a sense that something doesn’t seem right and maybe could even be unsafe. Even though you might have scored a great deal, there is a chance that what you now have, unbeknownst to you, is a counterfeit electronic device.

These counterfeit products look the same as the real ones. Though they appear to be the same, they are not. Instead, these counterfeit devices can be unsafe, dangerous and deadly. Counterfeit electronic devices can self-ignite and start a fire, electrocute the user, or even explode.

So, next time you purchase a product, especially if the price is too good to be true, consider these actions.

• Only purchase from trusted sources.
• Check electrical manufacturers’ websites to find authorized retailers and dealers.
• Only purchase items that have been properly tested and marked, such as with a UL, ETL or CSA listing.
• Packaging should contain the name and contact information of the manufacturer.
• Avoid unknown brands and products that do not display any brand affiliation.
• Products and packaging with typos and misspellings have a high likelihood of being counterfeit.

Be Safe Buy Real has initiated a campaign to address counterfeits. More information can be found at their website, www.besafebuyreal.ul.org.

Some popular counterfeited electronics include:

• Mobile phones or tables
• Smart speakers
• Smart watches
• Bluetooth speakers or earphones
• Hoverboards

Sources: MREA; Be Safe Buy Real