Buyers Beware! ICE HSI and CBP in Boston warn consumers about counterfeit goods during holiday shopping season

.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in Boston hosted a joint press event Wednesday to warn consumers of the dangers of purchasing a wide range of counterfeit items and goods with fake trademarks. This event provided tips on ways consumers can protect themselves as they head into the final shopping days of the holiday season.

"Counterfeit goods not only threaten our national security by endangering the health and safety of consumers, they also can wreak havoc on our economy and fund criminal elements involved in a range of other illegal activities," said CBP Director of Field Operations for Boston Michael Denning at the event.

Handbags, watches and clothing are the items most identified as frequently-counterfeited items. The event emphasized that intellectual property thieves will counterfeit any product that can be sold or marketed. This means items like counterfeit drugs, medical equipment, aircraft and automobile parts, computer hardware, military components, and electrical safety devices.

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