From ho-ho-ho to 'Oh, no!' This holiday, officials say, don't let counterfeit goods steal holiday joy

Dec. 10 (UPI) -- Christmas is all about tradition, and on Tuesday U.S. officials again made an effort to warn the shopping public about counterfeit goods, questionable deals and other holiday-ruining schemes.

They advised consumers to "shop smart" and outlined how to be equipped to spot, avoid and be proactive against fake products this holiday season.

There are "significant" health and safety hazards associated with counterfeit products, according to AnnMarie R. Highsmith, the executive assistant commissioner for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Office of Trade.

For this fiscal year, CBP reported it seized more than 32 million counterfeit items, often fabricated with inferior quality which, had they been genuine, could have generated more than $5 billion in profit for swindlers.

"We've seen it all," Highsmith wrote Tuesday in a CBP release. "Toys with elevated lead content to cosmetics with nasty ingredients you wouldn't want on your skin. These aren't the gifts you want to give to your family."

The agency, along with U.S. Chamber of Commerce, is using multiple media channels to get the word out about the counterfeit goods industry and how it can hurt shoppers, especially at this time of the year.

Officials say illegal actors aim to exploit the holiday shopping surge in order to push counterfeit goods to unsuspecting consumers out looking for deals, and will often utilize illicit proceeds to "support terrorism and other violent and illegal activities that put consumers at risk," they added.

Overall, almost every economist is predicting holiday spending will be up from last year's levels, rising anywhere from 2.5% to 8%, according to a series of forecasts from sources examined by UPI.

At the end of November, the Federal Bureau of Investigation advised the American public to be vigilant this holiday season with a reported uptick in scams that target shoppers and charitable donors.

On Tuesday, government officials outlined a series of tips designed to keep American families safe "while ensuring their hard-earned money does not help fund criminal activity."

First and foremost, they said to "trust your instincts" and noted how if a deal looks too good to be true or is an online advertisement that links to a suspicious-looking website, then "it is best to use caution."

Watching out for broken, missing safety seals or unusual packaging could lead to signs of fake goods. "Examine every detail," the agency wrote.

A study released last year by McAfee suggested that 36% of Americans had fallen victim to an online shopping scam during the holiday season.

Along with protecting personal data on digital platforms, it also was advised to prioritize using a secure payment method when shopping online and to only buy from sites that begin with: "https://"

Officials pointed out that the the "s" in https stands for "secure."

It's also wise, it was suggested, to check for a lock symbol in your browser to confirm the site's safety. But more importantly, CBP and chamber officials emphasized to "say something" and spread awareness about counterfeit goods sold on contraband websites.

"Your actions can make online shopping safer and smarter for all," the border agency wrote.

For more information on how to shop smart, visit the CBP's Truth Behind Counterfeits website.