RCMP seizes $17,000 in counterfeit merchandise, deliver warnings

RCMP are reminding holiday shoppers to avoid fake merchandise after seizing more than $17,000 worth of counterfeit products from three Regina businesses. Within the last two weeks, Regina Border Integrity Sectionconfiscated 561 counterfeit cellphone accessories and 273 electrical products from different businesses. All electricalproducts and batteries in Canada must meet specific standards are regulated by a third party certification.RCMP Regina Border Integrity Section Constable Fabian Folksays the four businesses they searched, three in which they confiscated counterfeit goods, are first-time offenders and were delivered counterfeit notification letters and electrical inspection notification letters as warnings.“The individuals that we dealt with, they were unknowingly selling the counterfeit goods and electrical goods. They worked with us right from the first time we met with them… the individuals that are clearly selling it in contravention of either act, those are the instances where we will definitely be pursuing charges,” saidFolk. If the businesses are caught selling counterfeit items again, RCMP say they will be charged and can be fined up to $1 million under the copyright act and $10,000 a day under the electrical inspection act. Last year, the RCMP seized more than $67.5 million worth of counterfeit merchandise from 876 investigations. Spot the counterfeit – the four “P”In the midst of the holiday shopping season, RCMP has given guidelines about how to avoid buying counterfeit items: Price. If it’s too good to be true, it probably is. Packaging.Poor quality graphics, spelling mistakes and various brands being sold in the same packaging are tip offs to counterfeit merchandise. Products.If its normally sold in a package and being sold individually, missing labels or thename brand or certification is misspelled, the product is most likely poorly made. Place. Manufacturers are usually particular about where their products are sold and how they are displayed. If it doesn’t fit in with the surrounding, it might be counterfeit. What’s the harm since counterfeit products are not subject to testing or safety standard, the RCMP say they can be a safety and health risk. For example, unregulated electrical products can explode or cause fires and cosmetics and perfumes may contain unknown chemicals which can cause skin reactions/allergies. RCMP says they have seized items such as toothpaste, pharmaceuticals, cell phone batteries and accessories, as well ashockey helmets, car parts andrazor blades.