Fake electronics: 5 ways to spot these products

Counterfeit products are everywhere and are not a recent problem. The list is extensive and involves clothing, accessories, medicines, electronics and more. in the case of fake electronics, the risk they present is great, as the low quality material can catch fire or explode at any time.

Beyond the safety problems, which pose a risk to the user, there is dissatisfaction with the purchased product and the chances of damaging a second product (as a fake charger can damage an original cell phone) and the problem of origin. By purchasing a counterfeit product, you may be encouraging irregular work in different parts of the world (where workers are in inhumane conditions).

Among the fake electronics, the most common are cell phones (mainly from Apple and the Samsung), chargers, tablets, smart bracelets, watches, etc. To give you an idea, this year alone, the police have already seized more than 20 tons of fake electronics in Rio de Janeiro. In June, 6 tons were seized, which had an estimated value of 7 million reais.

Deep down, there are those who accept the risks and are adept at buying counterfeit products. However, on the other hand, there are those who buy fake products believing they are genuine and paying the normal (or more expensive) price. In order not to fall for this scam, you need to be careful when buying and follow some tips.

How to identify fake electronics?

For the identification of fake electronics there are standardized tests carried out in laboratories and companies, such as X-rays, electrical tests, scanners, destructive tests, opening the products and other complicated procedures. However, since no one carries an X-ray machine in their backpack when they go shopping for electronics, there are a few simple tips that can help you escape a scam.

Electronics and packaging quality

The original electronics are of good quality, even if it is an outdated line (remember that the outdated ones have had their glory days). If you notice small defects such as protruding edges, bad joints, poor quality material, bad fittings, uneven fitting of parts (like charger) and more similar problems, be suspicious.

Product dimensions also often vary, even if the difference is minimal. Fake chargers, for example, can be a little larger than normal. The edges of cell phone screens can also differ.

Also, it is worth noting the quality of the packaging (especially if you are purchasing a new product). Genuine product manufacturers are very detail-oriented about the entire product and that includes the packaging, which is done with care. Thus, it is necessary to look if the closing is irregular, if there are smudges in the written part, if the logo is strange, if the material is very inferior, if it really offers protection, if there are grammatical errors, etc.

Price

Price is not a very good parameter to evaluate, as fake electronics can be sold at the same price as the original. So, if the price is normal, keep following the tips and looking for possible problems.

On the other hand, if the price is absurdly low, it is very likely that “something wrong is not right”. It is practically impossible to find a iPhone top of the line for a thousand reais, for example (even used ones are more expensive).

Check the Anatel website

No website Anatel (National Telecommunications Agency) it is possible to verify if the device is a Legal Cell Phone (if you are buying a cell phone, of course). The query is made by the IMEI number.

O IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity, or International Mobile Equipment Identification, in Portuguese) is a unique number that serves to identify your mobile device. It can be found in several ways: pasted on a sticker on the battery part, contained in the cell phone box or by typing *#06# on the phone's keypad (as if making a call). there is an IMEI for each chip in the device.

test the product

When testing, you can check the operating system, camera quality, screen sensitivity, keys, etc. The operating system icons, for example, may even be the same, but they usually have some difference, as in the fonts, in addition to being slow.

Even if the packaging is deceiving and the price is the same as in other stores, there are defects that you will only discover by testing. If necessary, install some applications that test the device, such as processing speed.

Many sellers do not let you test or install products on the device, especially if they are sealed. So, perhaps, you will only find out that you bought a fake device after paying for it. So it's worth paying attention to the other tips as well.

The establishment

First, if you buy an electronic item without a receipt from the seller on the corner or at the subway door, the chance that it is counterfeit is very high. When buying on the internet, insecurity is also great when the purchase is made in direct contact with the seller and not with a recognized store.

However, buying in a physical establishment also does not give you guarantees that the electronics are not fake. Pay attention to the characteristics of the place, the way the seller behaves and the permits that the place has. And, of course, always ask for the invoice.

For either case, you can look up store or seller reviews online and check for complaints or lawsuits against them. If the complaints are relevant and the number is large, it is good to avoid them.

Putting all these tips together, it is possible to escape a difficult purchase of fake electronics. Stay tuned!

Sources: PBCart; All About Circuits.