Shoppers Often Duped by Fake Footwear, Says Survey

17/09/18

26th September 2018 – Only a minority of consumers actively seek out counterfeits when buying shoes, according to a poll which finds that one in five people have bought fake footwear in the past.

The 315-person survey – by online brand protection company Red Points – also found that almost half (48 per cent) of respondents who had purchased a counterfeit were originally searching for the genuine product online, and a third (35 per cent) of all fake purchases were in error, with the buyer not aware the item wasn’t genuine.

The research found that counterfeiters are increasingly targeting social media sites like Instagram to place adverts and lure shoppers into buying knock-off online or as phishing scams. Unfortunately, 61 per cent of respondents saying they would buy footwear via a social media post, suggesting the trend has little chance of slowing down, and 49 per cent reported they would buy fake footwear if the discount was big enough.

“The survey findings are truly alarming and should come as a real warning for shoppers and brands alike of the danger of social media being used by counterfeiters to dupe consumers,” says Danae Vara Borrell, vice president, products, at Red Points.

“Counterfeiters are increasing using genuine product images for their listing and creating sophisticated websites made to look like brands’ official channels making it harder than ever for consumers to spot potential scams,” she adds.

 

Read the full article in Securing Industry here.