| Bloomfield,
CT 06002 |
|
August
12 2005 |
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Author/Consumer
Advocate Cynthia Bercowetz shows storeowner's counterfeit warning. |
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When
you hear "stop thief" it refers to a counterfeiter.
Counterfeiting is big business--about $3 billion a year. Sometimes
it is difficult to differentiate between the real McCoy and the
fake.
For example, on Ford products there is a Ford oval and in the
counterfeit part there is an oval but additional insignia that is
not detected. In one year, the Automotive and Accessories
Association reported that annual sales loss was established at $3
billion dollars in the United States and $12 billion worldwide
because of automotive counterfeiting. Counterfeit parts affect the
consumer safety-wise. For example, defective turn signals,
steering, and gas tanks without safety valves can cause accidents.
Counterfeit parts affect the consumer's pocketbook and legitimate
manufacturers because we are all affected by this scam.
There are anti-counterfeiting taskforces as a result of the
counterfeit game. They work in cooperation with the International
Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition to obtain remedial action. The U.S.
office of Consumer Affairs, Washington, D.C. developed an
educational program to help consumers recognize counterfeit auto
parts and encourages reporting to authorities. Report your
complaints to the Consumer Protection Department in your state or
to the Attorney General's Office. The Motor Equipment
Manufacturers Association has joined their European counterparts
to combat counterfeiting. At one time, counterfeit automotive
parts were on display at the World's Fair to alert consumers.
The combined efforts of the United States government and industry
are working together to develop prompt and efficient measures
against counterfeiting.
American property rights protection law has added an amendment for
countries that permit or do not control counterfeiters. There are
new civil penalties ($250,000) for violators that impose a prison
term of up to five years and costly fines. Taiwan has been
considered the leading source of counterfeit automotive parts.
Other sources are: Singapore, Hong Kong, Brazil, Columbia and
Mexico.
The above details have been taken from my book, "Don't Get
Ripped Of! Get Help! Tell It to George."
Counterfeit money is now big business among thieves more than
ever. In a store I frequent in Connecticut, a storeowner has
received fake dollar bills and a $50 bill. His bank has shown him
the differences between fake and real. At a tailor shop in Naples,
Fla. where I visit, the owner has received counterfeit bills.
Restaurants and fast-food chains have felt the pinch of
counterfeiting. The Subway restaurant chain is ending its
decades-old free sandwich promotion because counterfeiters have
been creating and selling copies of the restaurant's
proof-of-purchase stamps and cards.
Subway, which is the No. 2 fast-food chain in the country, has
joined a growing amount of businesses from pharmaceutical
companies and cigarette manufacturers to recording studios and
clothing designers that say counterfeiters have hurt their
business, according to the Associated Press.
A full card of eight stamps could be redeemed for a free sandwich.
But thousands of stamps are for sale at online auction sites, The
AP said that franchise owners were increasingly discovering
counterfeit stamps.
For more information on counterfeiting, rip-offs, scams and
scandals, read Don't Get Ripped Off! Get Help! Tell It to
George. My book can be purchased on Amazon, Infinity
Publishers, or directly from the publisher, Cynthia Bercowetz,
Wash Brook Press, 22 Oak Lane, Bloomfield, Ct. 06002. |
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Cynthia
Bercowetz (consumreye@aol.com)
Author/Consumer Advocate
22 Oak Lane
Bloomfield, CT 06002
Phone : 860-243-2208 |
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