Fake NFL merch scams are surging. Here's how to avoid getting duped
NFL fans, beware. Counterfeit scams on NFL merchandise are becoming more common, according to a study from ingame.com.
The study analyzed 550,000 online conversations in the past year for all 32 NFL teams, monitoring "heated debates" about fake knock-off products.
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This year, federal officials seized almost $40 million in fake sports gear, according to a February news release from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
'With the rise of e-commerce, it has become incredibly easy for criminals to create fake websites, online marketplaces, and social media ads offering deceptive deals with the sole intention of scamming sports fans,' Ivan J. Arvelo, director of the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center, said in a news release.
Philadelphia Eagles counterfeit merchandise at an anti-counterfeiting press conference at the Phoenix Convention Center.
'That's why our partnership with sports leagues, such as the NFL, is critical in our efforts to raise awareness about the dangers of counterfeit merchandise and help consumers make informed purchasing decisions.'
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The study reveals which NFL fan bases have fallen victim to fake merch scams the most.
Which team topped the charts?
Philadelphia Eagles fans – with 41,660 online conversations about fake merchandise online – rank among the top fanbases that get scammed, the study said.
Eagles fans also suffer the highest rate of negative sentiment in those online conversations, with 38% of them expressing frustration or disappointment.
Other teams with significant chatter include the Kansas City Chiefs (28,442 conversations, 15% negative), Dallas Cowboys (24,828 conversations, 18% negative), and Pittsburgh Steelers (22,844 conversations, 16% negative).
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The biggest victims of fake NFL merchandise scams are these fanbases:
Teams
Fake merchandise conversations
Percent of negative conversations online in the last 12 months
Philadelphia Eagles
41,660
38%
Kansas City Chiefs
28,442
15%
Dallas Cowboys
24,828
18%
Pittsburgh Steelers
22,844
16%
New York Giants
20,540
14%
New York Jets
19,516
13%
San Francisco 49ers
19,060
12%
Cleveland Browns
19,060
16%
Detroit Lions
18,989
14%
How to protect yourself from counterfeit merchandise
According to the NFL, here are a few tips for sports fans when making purchases:
Only shop at trusted retail locations.
Be cautious when shopping online. If a deal seems too good to be true, then it probably is. Criminals often use legitimate product photos on their websites despite selling a fraudulent product.
Consumers should use caution before buying expensive items from unfamiliar online sellers. Purchasing merchandise from authorized dealers that are reputable sources for quality merchandise helps ensure that your transaction will be safe, and concerns will be handled responsibly.
Look out for poor quality, sloppy stitching, missing security labels or irregular markings on apparel.
Check your online bank statements. Keep a record of purchases and copies of confirmation pages and compare them to bank statements. If there is a discrepancy, consumers should report it immediately.
Jalen Williams is a trending reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jawilliams1@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Inside the NFL counterfeit crisis: Tips, stats and $40M in fake merch
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