Why do consumers buy fake?
Author: Jorij
Scamadviser.com surveyed 1126 consumers from 128 countries asking them why they buy fakes and how they could be kept from buying counterfeit.
While all income groups, educational categories, age levels and continents are represented, it is interesting to note that mostly men (65%) participated. Further research will be required to determine if maybe men buy more counterfeit than generally thought?
51% claim to recognize fakes
Most consumers (51%) consider themselves capable of identifying counterfeits. This is especially the case for Clothing, Accessories and Consumer Electronics. Only 11% admit they are unable to identify fakes. Consumers doubt their ability to recognize fakes Toys and Medicine.
56% of all consumers buys counterfeits
Still, 56% of the consumers have bought a fake product in the past unknowingly or doubting the originality of the product. 16% admits knowingly having bought fakes. Clothing, consumers electronics and accessories are the most common fake products bought.
Websites, not marketplaces are the purchase channel
Focus of brand protection agencies has shifted to online marketplaces in recent years. However, remarkably, websites (41%) are by far the most popular channel to buy counterfeits. This channel if followed by physical outlets and markets (24%). Online marketplaces like Amazon, Ebay and Alibaba take a third place (19%) and Social Media such as Facebook and Instagram are named fourth (16%).
Changing behavior: focus on fears, not ethics
Not surprisingly consumers buy fakes primarily due to the lower price (40%). Also, the feeling that the real brand is overpriced is named often (23%).
Still, 60% of the consumers are (very) dissatisfied with their purchase. Consumers are aware that counterfeits support crime and human exploitation. What however would keep consumers the most from buying counterfeit is the concern about the quality of the product (20%) and the believe that buying fakes online is not safe (19%) as their (financial) data may be misused and the product not delivered (14%).
Regarding the fight against counterfeits, consumers think the lead should be taken by consumer protection agencies (22%) and not by international authorities such as Europol/Interpol (10%) and the EU/UN (9%).
Report a Scam!
Have you fallen for a hoax, bought a fake product? Report the site and warn others!
Scam Categories
Help & Info
Top Safety Picks
Your Go-To Tools for Online SafetyDisclaimer: Some of the links here are affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
- ScamAdviser App : That site looks legit. That's exactly how they get you. Modern scams are frighteningly convincing. ScamAdviser scans sites and blocks fraud calls automatically. Free on iOS & Android.
- NordVPN : NordVPN delivers powerful, seamless protection for your online life - whether you're at home, on public Wi-Fi, or traveling abroad. Recognized as one of the fastest VPN services available, it combines lightning-fast speeds with advanced encryption to keep
- Incogni : Incogni automatically removes your personal data from data brokers that trade in personal information online, helping reduce scam and identity theft risks without the hassle of manual opt-outs. Reclaim your privacy now!
- Private Internet Access (PIA) : PIA gives you a no-logs VPN built on the latest encryption standards and WireGuard protocol — meaning your browsing activity stays yours alone. Fast, private, and transparent. Take back your privacy today!
- Surfshark VPN : One subscription, unlimited devices. Surfshark is the fastest VPN out there — covering your phone, laptop, tablet and more with a stable, secure connection for browsing, streaming and working. Get Surfshark now!
- Proton VPN : Independently audited and built with a strict no-logs policy, Proton VPN is trusted by over 3 million users worldwide. It’s been named Best VPN by Wired, PCMag, and Vice—offering strong encryption for anyone who takes their privacy seriously. Give Proton
- Mysterium VPN : MysteriumVPN gives you real privacy without relying on a single company to protect it. Built on a decentralized network of independent nodes across the globe, it hides your traffic from ISPs, trackers, and the VPN provider itself. Choose data center IPs f
Popular Stories
In a nutshell: A good VPN protects your privacy with strong encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and fast protocols like WireGuard. The best VPNs also offer wide server coverage, leak protection, and easy-to-use apps for all devices. For 2025, the top providers are NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark, Proton VPN, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost, and Mullvad—each excelling in speed, security, or value. In an age where every click is tracked, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is no longer just a luxury—it's an essential tool for digital privacy and security. A VPN works by creating a secure, encrypted tunnel between your device and the internet, masking your real IP address and protecting your sensitive data from prying eyes. But with hundreds of providers out there, how do you sort the secure from the suspect? This guide breaks down the non-negotiable features of a quality VPN and highlights the 7 top-rated services for 2025. What to Look for in a Good VPN: The 4 Non-Negotiable Pillars 1. Ironclad Security Features Strong Encryption: AES-256, the gold standard. Secure Protocols: OpenVPN, WireGuard, NordLynx, Lightway. Avoid PPTP. Kill Switch: Ensures no accidental IP leaks. Leak Protection: Covers DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC. 2. Verified Privacy Practices No-Logs Policy: No activity or metadata tracking. Independent Audits: Verification by third parties. Safe Jurisdiction: Prefer countries outside the 5/9/14 Eyes alliances. 3. High-Speed Performance Fast Protocols: WireGuard and equivalents. Large Server Network: Less crowding, more reliable speeds. 4. Essential Usability Features Multi-Device Apps: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, routers. Simultaneous Connections: One account, many devices. Unblocking Power: Netflix, Hulu, BBC
This article has been updated by Jamie James on June 9 with the latest data and analysis we have found using real user reports and experiences submitted to ScamAdviser. Just received that terrifying notification? Or perhaps you've noticed suspicious activity in your accounts? Take a deep breath. Your email, password, phone number, home address, payment details, or identity documents may now be in places you cannot control. But the next steps do not have to be confusing. What matters most is how quickly you act, order, and know which exposed data creates the biggest risk. This guide explains what to do after a data breach, how to check the damage, and how to protect yourself from identity theft, account takeover, and follow-up scams. Quick Summary Verify the data breach notice through the company’s official website before clicking any links. Secure your primary email account first because it controls many password resets. Change the exposed password and every reused or similar password. Enable multi-factor authentication on email, banking, payment, cloud, and social accounts. Contact your bank or card issuer if payment or bank account details were exposed. Freeze or protect your credit if sensitive identity information was compromised. Watch for phishing messages, fake refund offers, and scam websites that use your leaked details. Starting with Data Breach Numbers The numbers don't lie: according to a 2024 report, the number of data breach victim notices has grown by a staggering 211% year-over-year. This isn't just a distant threat; it's a stark reality many individuals fa