CINCINNATI (WKRC) — As the holiday season approaches, consumers are being warned about counterfeit luxury products that could ruin their Christmas cheer. Popular items such as Apple products, Yeezy sneakers by Adidas, Louis Vuitton wallets and purses, and Rolex watches are being targeted by counterfeiters, according to cybersecurity experts.
These luxury items are often expensive and difficult to obtain, leading many shoppers to seek out deals online. However, experts caution that these deals are often too good to be true.
“The more information like credit card information you are giving away to these folks, it may seem like okay, $10 for a replica. It’s not about the money,” said Abhishek Karnik, head of threat research at McAfee. “It’s about what you are giving away, and you are giving away your privacy, your personal information, your home address, your location, which then opens you up or makes you more susceptible to scams in the future.”
Researchers from McAfee have identified fake ads and websites that appear legitimate but are designed to deceive consumers. They advise shoppers to be cautious and provide a checklist to avoid being duped.
Consumers should avoid responding to unsolicited texts or emails advertising these products and should not visit websites they are redirected to from social media platforms or other websites. It is recommended to always use a credit card for online purchases to dispute any fraudulent charges.
Experts warn that if a price seems unusually low, it is likely a counterfeit product or, worse, no product will be delivered at all.