AnnMarie Highsmith
Executive Assistant Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Trade
Published
December 12, 2024
As the holiday season approaches, the joy of gift-giving is in the air, and families are busy checking off their loved ones' wish lists. Amidst the festive cheer, it's crucial we all remain vigilant against the risks counterfeit goods pose to families and communities across America. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is once again teaming up with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to ensure you stay safe during the holidays and that we all unbox real happiness this December.
A Global Challenge
In Fiscal Year 2024, CBP seized more than 32 million counterfeit items. The global trade of counterfeit goods is a significant threat to consumers and businesses. It affects American consumers every day, but criminals and scammers around the world take particular advantage of the busy holiday shopping season to peddle more fakes to unsuspecting buyers. This is why business and law enforcement are committed to working in partnership to keep Americans safe this holiday season.
Counterfeits cost Americans an average of $1,500 per year, and illicit trade pulls over 300,000 jobs from the market. The global trade of counterfeits is a direct threat to America's capacity for innovation, thwarts economic growth, and puts the health of consumers at risk. According to U.S. Chamber calculations, counterfeits cost the global economy over $500 billion annually.
'If You Can Make It, You Can Fake It'
Counterfeit products come in all shapes and sizes, including popular holiday gifts like electronics, toys, clothing, makeup, and home goods. These fake goods are dangerous: They're produced with inferior materials and lack the rigorous testing that ensures safety and quality. This holiday season, it's important to shop smart and protect your family from hazards like sub-standard materials or faulty electrical wiring.
In addition to the physical harm, cybercriminals often peddle fakes through fraudulent websites embedded with malware. Shoppers must stay vigilant when shopping online to ensure credit card information or identities don't get stolen. This holiday season, we're calling on everyone to take extra care to protect their data and prioritize secure payments when buying holiday gifts online.
Support Your Community
As you make your holiday shopping list, consider the impact of your purchases. Buying genuine products supports law-abiding businesses. These businesses not only benefit consumers with unique gifting opportunities but also strengthen the entire community. Supporting law-abiding businesses and avoiding counterfeits strengthens our local economies, builds community trust, and increases our collective safety.
Shop Smart with our Five Tips
Let's make this holiday season a time of joy and safety by choosing authenticity and quality in our gift-giving. Remember, counterfeit goods not only jeopardize the health and safety of consumers but also harm legitimate businesses and the economy. The Chamber's "Shop Smart" campaign offers valuable tips to help consumers identify and avoid counterfeit products.
By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your gifts are genuine and safe for your loved ones.
- Trust your instincts: If a deal seems too good to be true, or an online advertisement links to a suspicious-looking website, it is best to use caution.
- Prioritize secure payments: When shopping online, only buy from sites that begin with https:// — the 's' stands for secure. Also, check for a lock symbol in your browser to confirm the site's safety.
- Examine every detail: When you receive products purchased online, pay close attention to labels, packaging, and contents. Watch out for broken or missing safety seals and unusual packaging, as these could all be signs of fake goods.
- Protect your data: Keep all your devices, including computers and smartphones, updated with the latest cybersecurity protections to fend off any potential cyber threats. Stay alert to suspicious websites that could conceal malware.
- Say something: Spread awareness among your friends, family, and coworkers about counterfeit goods sold on illicit websites. If you receive a fake good, report it to CBP or the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center. Your actions can make online shopping safer and smarter for all.
Stay informed and shop carefully to ensure a happy and safe holiday season for you and your family. For more information on how to shop smart, visit the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's resources and CBP's Truth Behind Counterfeits website.
Together, we can protect our families and communities from the risks of counterfeit goods and enjoy a festive season filled with genuine happiness.
About the authors
Tom Quaadman
Tom Quaadman develops and executes strategic policies to implement a global corporate financial reporting system, address ongoing attempts of minority shareholder abuse of the proxy system, communicate the benefits of efficient American capital markets, and promote an innovation economy and the long-term interests of all investors.
AnnMarie Highsmith
AnnMarie R. Highsmith is the Executive Assistant Commissioner for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Trade, where she leads more than 1,000 employees and the enforcement of over 500 U.S. trade laws and 15 free trade agreements to enhance U.S. economic prosperity.
