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Know the signs of counterfeit goods online
Counterfeit goods are often bad quality and unsafe. Watch out for these warning signs of fake products.
30 January 2025Online shopping can be a great way to find a deal, but nobody wants a fake product. Trade Me doesn't allow fake goods, but scam websites selling them still exist.
Always be careful when shopping online to avoid websites selling counterfeit goods.
Signs a website might be fake
Fake websites can look very real. Clicking the first link you see on Google may not lead you to the official site. Look for these red flags:
- Suspicious web addresses: An official website will usually have a simple domain name, like Adidas.co.nz, rather than cheap-adidas4u.
- Prices that are too good to be true: If the whole website has amazing deals, it’s probably a scam.
- A strange mix of products: If a website sells Louis Vuitton bags and Nike shoes, it's unlikely to be an official brand store.
- Missing contact information: Legitimate businesses usually give you their address and phone number. If this information is missing or looks strange, be wary.
Re-selling counterfeit products on Trade Me
Selling fake goods breaks the Copyright Act and could get you into trouble. If you accidentally bought a fake and want to resell it to get some money back, you’re out of luck.
We work hard to keep fake goods off our site. We ask sellers to prove their products are real and work with brands to find and remove fake listings.
Check out our guide on intellectual property rights.
