10 Simple Tips on How to Spot Counterfeit Products

Counterfeit goods, ranging from Adidas sneakers and Louis Vuitton bags to Chanel perfume and decorative cosmetics, are on the rise and expected to reach a value of almost $3 trillion. Marketers use various tactics to encourage consumers to pay premium prices for luxury items, and counterfeiters take advantage of this by offering similar-looking products at a fraction of the cost. While some fake items may appear nearly identical to the real thing, they often lack proper certification and inspection, posing hidden dangers to consumers. Purchasing counterfeit goods can put individuals at risk of a variety of safety and health hazards.

1. Nike Air shoes

• Small metal tags on laces are the first thing you should pay attention to. They have to be matte and clearly labeled AF1. The plate and the inscription on a fake are usually made more roughly.
• Insoles. In fake shoes, they are made from cheap polyurethane, while in genuine sneakers the insoles are made from more expensive material.
• The tag must contain the factory number, country of origin, and size. In a genuine product, all this data matches the information on the label of the shoes.

2. Adidas shoes

• Original Adidas lace eyelets aren’t made of metal, except for some older models. Also, don’t forget to count how many there are. Original models always have 6 eyelets on junior and women’s shoes and 7 eyelets on men’s shoes.
• Check the heel logo. If it’s genuine, the logo’s size fills up the back of the heel and is neatly executed. Fake pairs usually have a small, deformed, and misspelled logo.

• Examine the shape of the heel. Genuine Adidas shoes will have a flat heel, while fake ones will be rounded. Look for heel tags. Adidas stopped using heel tags on their shoes several years ago, so authentic sneakers won’t have them.
• Check the serial number. The label on the tongue of a real pair of Adidas shoes will feature two different serial numbers — one for the left shoe and one for the right. Counterfeit shoes, on the other hand, will have the same serial number on both shoes.

3. iPhone

When purchasing an iPhone, check the screen quality. An authentic iPhone will have a vibrant and high-quality display, whereas a fake one may have a washed-out appearance with dull colors.

4. Louis Vuitton bags

• Check the pattern. The pattern should be consistent throughout the bag and be a mirror image of itself going all the way across. If a circle pattern is cut off on one side of the bag, it should be cut off at the same point on the other side.
• Look for upside-down LVs. Because Louis Vuitton bags are made from one continuous strip of leather, the LV emblems should be right side up on the front and upside down on the back.
• Inspect the hardware and zipper. Genuine Louis Vuitton bags are made with high-quality metal that has a gold coating. Check that the hardware and zipper are not made of cheap plastic.

5. Dior x Air Jordan 1

When purchasing branded shoes, like Nike, look for inconsistencies in the thickness of the text on the logo. The letters on fake shoes tend to be thicker than on genuine models. Also, examine the stitching on the midsole, which will be thinner on the fake shoes and thicker on the genuine ones.

6. MAC lipstick

• Check the box. Look for the name of the color and a barcode on the sticker.
• Read the serial number. Genuine MAC lipsticks have serial numbers starting with A, B, or C, followed by two numbers, such as A44 or B32.
• Check the MAC logo on the cap. It should look almost carved into the cap, with the font being small in height and the letters close together. The dots on either side of the “A” should be perfectly round.
• Smell the lipstick. If it’s genuine, it will have a soft vanilla scent. Fake MAC lipsticks might smell like fruit or candy.

7. Crocs

• Check the logo. Genuine Crocs have an imprinted Duke logo on the insole. Duke should have 2 eyes and 6 even bumps on his back, with 2 hands visible, each with 3 fingers.
• Genuine Crocs must have circulation nubs on the insoles.
• Check the shoes’ soles. Authentic Crocs include the Crocs logo in the center of the bottom on one side of the sole.

8. AirPods

Examine the packaging and labeling of a product carefully for spelling or capitalization errors. In counterfeit products, the word “AirPods” may be miscapitalized as “Airpods.”

9. Levi’s jeans

• Make sure to check the design of the patch for any errors. Genuine Levi’s always have the model, waist, and leg measurements printed in black letters. This is because they first create the stock label and then print these characteristics onto each particular pair of jeans.
• Another thing to look out for is the color of the leather patch. Genuine Levi’s will not have a patch that’s too light or too dark, and the tag will not fade in the wash.
• Finally, keep an eye out for off-center labels or spelling errors. These are further indicators that the pair is fake.

10. Gucci bags

To ensure the authenticity of your Gucci bag, start by examining the two “G’s” on the front. Make sure that the serifs are slim and elongated, rather than bulky. Additionally, the rounded portion of the “G” should be perfectly oval, not pointed. A blurred logo is a clear sign of a replica.

Next, inspect the stitching carefully, as a legitimate Gucci bag will feature consistent stitching. Any irregularities in color or spacing could indicate that the bag is a fake.

And it’s not only clothing and accessories that get copied, but also cosmetics, including MAC lipstics. It’s just amazing how the counterfeit industry is succeeding in fooling customers. They will even fake the natural certifications that some products have.