Kansas City, MO – You might think you are getting a great online deal on your holiday gifts this year, but those good just might be a fake or counterfeit.
"It certainly is a problem in Kansas and Missouri and that's because this is all happening on the web," said Rich Kolko, retired FBI agent.
Kolko has seen his fair share of fake and counterfeit goods sold online. He said that includes everything from electronics to batteries to toys. So how can you spot a fake online?
"Look for fake items by price and quality. Also check the reviews. But be aware, those reviews could be written by the seller, so they may not be accurate," added Kolko.
Buying a counterfeit good is considered breaking the law, and could also be putting your safety and health at risk because you don't know how it was made.
Kolko offers this advice if you are shopping online this holiday season:
"Best thing you can do is shop carefully and do your research."
Last year alone millions of counterfeit goods from countries around the world were confiscated right before Black Friday.