Your BBB® has learned that 37,479 websites were closed down for selling counterfeit products over the past year. Popular counterfeit items include designer headphones, sports clothing, toiletries, shoes, toys, luxury goods, mobile phones and electronics. This sixth annual effort included 27 countries, using both criminal and civil actions to successfully seize domains.

Efforts were led by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and National Intellectual Property Rights Center (IPR). The entertainment industry, along with brand owners of name-brand apparels, handbags, footwear, eyewear, cosmetics, consumer electronics, athletic apparel, sporting goods, personal care products also participated.

To find out what to look for to avoid counterfeit products and to read the press release from ICE, click here.

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