Counterfeit products are a growing concern for businesses and consumers alike. Not only do they undermine legitimate businesses with potential legal or reputational risks, but they can also be dangerous and have serious cost implications. As such, it is imperative that you are equipped to protect yourself and your business from illicit products.

Learn the warning signs

To avoid counterfeit products, the initial step is to become familiar with the discerning signs that differentiate an authentic product from an illicit one, such as:

• Prices that seem too good to be true.
• Packaging that looks different or low-quality.
• Products that don’t have a brand name or have a misspelled name.
• Products that are sold through unauthorized channels or sellers.
• Products that don’t have a serial number or other identifying marks.

Secure your buying process

Adhering to the following steps will ensure that you only purchase legitimate products and protect your business from the risks associated with counterfeit products:

• Purchasing products from reputable and authorised distributors.
• Verifying the authenticity of products before purchasing if in doubt.
• Checking the packaging and labeling for any signs of tampering or counterfeiting.
• Only purchasing from suppliers who can provide an authorised distributor certificate. Check with the bearing manufacturer that they are in fact an authorised distributor as it is common for counterfeiters to forge such certificates.

What if you suspect a product to be counterfeit?

If you suspect that a product you have purchased is counterfeit, it’s important to take action. This might include:

• Use the SKF Authenticate App for smartphones to take and send photos of the suspect product and proof of purchase to SKF for verification. 
• Contacting the manufacturer or authorised distributor to report the suspected counterfeit product. Alternatively, SKF has an anonymous tip-off form to report suspicious activity. 
• Storing the product in a safe place and preserving any evidence of the purchase, such as receipts or packaging.
• Reporting the suspected counterfeit product to the relevant authorities, such as the police or customs officials.

It is also worth noting that some counterfeits are so similar to the original product that only experts from SKF can verify the authenticity of a product or package marked with SKF trademarks. 

If you have any questions or concerns about counterfeit products, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us for assistance.

SOURCE OF INFORMATION