You Might Be Buying Counterfeit Laundry Detergent
You've heard of counterfeit purses and watches, but what about counterfeit laundry detergent? This new scam is creeping up in a big way, and falling for it is not only a waste of money, but could also be putting your family's health at risk.
According to an undercover investigation by ABC News, fake detergent-sold under brand names such as Tide, Downy, and Gain-is being sold more frequently than ever. ABC reporters were there when authorities seized over 400 buckets of knockoff cleaners in several areas across Los Angeles.
But the problem goes far beyond California. Counterfeit detergent is all over the internet, and is also being sold at swap meets and fundraisers nationwide, authorities told ABC. "We started seeing this really escalate starting about a year ago. It's showing up all over the place and social media is the enabler," said Anne Candido, a spokesperson for Proctor & Gamble, who makes most of the big-name soaps.
When Proctor & Gamble's lab tested the fake products seized from Los Angeles, scientists confirmed that the items were, in fact, fake. After conducting a cleaning test using real Tide, fake Tide, and plain water, the fake product produced almost identical results to that of the water test. "We found that it had very high water content," said Jack English, a Procter & Gamble scientist. Jack also warned of the potential dangers of using the product for your family's clothes: "Without sounding too scary, the risks are quite large because we just don't know. It would be like putting your family in a car that you have no idea where it came from."
So how can you tell if you're about to buy a fake? The product looks and smells like your standard detergent, but it's the size that should throw you off. Counterfeit cleaners are typically sold in five-gallon buckets, and Proctor & Gamble does not sell detergent in that size.
Also, if the price seems too good to be true, it's likely counterfeit, says Good Housekeeping's Director of the Home Appliances, Cleaning Products, and Textile Lab, Carolyn Forte.
She added that if you're really suspicious of a product, call the toll-free customer service number or contact the manufacturer through its website to verify the authenticity of any product that looks odd or suspicious before buying it. "Manufacturers know and can trace the batch each bottle comes from. They can tell you whether or not it's a fake. "
(h/t ABC News)
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