SANTA MARIA, Calif. -- Many of you exchanged Christmas gifts Tuesday but did you ever think one of them could be fake?
This multibillion dollar counterfeit industry is hurting many local businesses and the products pose a threat to your health.
And you may not even realize you got a counterfeit gift.
"It's impossible unless you're an expert, to determine what the difference is in the real product," says Former FBI agent Dan Payne. Even legitimate shop owners can be fooled.
"A lot of times, I can be fooled in regards to how difficult it is to tell," says Sportscard Fantasy's Shop Owner Curt Miller. "These guys are really good. They use the same materials and fabric and it's difficult."
He says the sports memorabilia industry is the one hardest hit.
"Anybody who's really good can put together a jersey for $20 and can retail it for $50 and make a higher percentage profit than I do," says Miller.
The price is higher because legitimate shop owners must pay licensing fees that counterfeiters bypass altogether.
"The legitimate businessman isn't getting his money, the NFL or the NBA or the Major League Baseball isn't getting money," says Miller. "Somebody's making money but it's not who should."
It's not only hurting local business. United States Customs and Border Protection warns counterfeit good pose a risk to your health and should be disposed of immediately.
"If it's a child's toy or software or electronic device, you need to be aware of them and dispose of them because of the danger they pose," says Payne. "Electronic devices can short circuit and cause a fire, knock off computer software can ruin your whole computer, children's toys can contain lead and heavy metals that could cause sickness or even death."
In October, Homeland Security seized more than a thousand counterfeit T-shirts, baseball caps and hats in San Francisco during the World Series.
Miller says the best indicator is the price and if you're getting a $300 jersey for $50, assume you're getting a counterfeit.
Courtesy: Epicskatenyc
