How to identify counterfeit products
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — When it comes to safety gear like bike helmets and child car seats, one question matters most: will it protect you or your loved one in a crash?
A new investigation from Consumer Reports reveals that some of these critical products, including those sold on major websites, might not meet even the most basic safety standards.
“If you end up with a knockoff car seat, you don’t have the guarantee that it was tested to meet the minimum safety standards,” said Emily Thomas, a safety expert with Consumer Reports. “If you can’t find the mandatory safety language, model numbers, date of manufacture, or manufacturer contact info, that’s a red flag.”
While scrolling through popular sites like Facebook Marketplace, Amazon, Walmart, or eBay, a product that looks like a deal could turn out to be a dangerous fake. Some counterfeit child car seats have narrow straps, more like what you’d find on a stroller or high chair, and may even lack a chest clip. Experts say it’s best to buy directly from the manufacturer or a trusted retailer. If possible, buy it in person to make sure you’re getting the real thing.
Bike helmets are also under scrutiny. Consumer Reports safety experts bought 21 helmets from third-party sellers across platforms including Amazon, eBay, Shein, Temu, Walmart, and Facebook Marketplace. The results were troubling.
“Eight of the helmets lacked the required sticker or label declaring compliance with CPSC standards,” Kevin Loria, a senior reporter at Consumer Reports, said. “That means they didn’t meet the legal requirements for bike helmets sold in the U.S.”
The investigation prompted several companies to take action. Shein, Temu, and Walmart removed the listings once notified. eBay had already taken down one of the questionable helmets, and removed a similar one from another seller. While Consumer Reports didn’t initially find a noncompliant helmet on Amazon, a helmet sold on the site was recalled shortly after the study was completed.
One company that didn’t respond to multiple requests for comment? Meta, the parent company of Facebook Marketplace.
Beyond the products themselves, Consumer Reports says this points to a bigger problem: outdated liability laws.
“Online marketplaces often use these outdated laws to shield themselves from taking responsibility for the safety of goods sold by third parties on their platforms,” Gabe Knight, a policy expert with Consumer Reports, said. “That needs to change.”
If you discover you’ve bought a counterfeit, return it immediately and report it to the website. Your report could help stop the sale of more fake products, and help protect someone else from unknowingly buying something that isn’t safe.
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