Fake N95 masks have flooded the market
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Fake N95 masks have flooded the market
What to consider before you buy
When buying masks online, there are a few things you can ask yourself, according to CDC guidance on spotting fake PPE.
If you're buying directly through a website:
- Are there typos, bad grammar or other errors on the site?
- Are there website flaws, like unfinished or blank pages, dummy text, broken links and misspelled domains?
If you're buying through a third-party marketplace:
- Does the listing call the product "genuine" or "real"? Legitimate companies don't need to tell buyers their products are real -- at least not in the product name.
- Have reviews been left on the product, or on the seller? Buyers unhappy with the product may reveal that it is poorly made or illegitimate.
- Is the price too good to be true? It probably is.
- Is the seller selling the same items over time, or keeping with trends? Legitimate businesses tend to stay consistent.
- Does the seller put their contact information in images? If so, they may be skirting around marketplace policy to keep interactions between buyers and sellers on the site.
How to check if your mask is real
Okay, but what if you've already masks off a website or marketplace and don't know if they're the real deal?
Here's your rule-of-thumb: No markings means no approval.
NIOSH-approved masks have an approval label on or within the mask packaging -- either on the box or in the users' instructions. The mask should also have an abbreviated approval marking.
The approval number on your mask should begin with "TC." The mask should also have a NIOSH logo printed on it. This image from the CDC can help you identify your mask's markings.
Then, you can check for the approval number on NIOSH certified equipment list.
Some other red flags to look out for include:
- Any decorative elements, like sequins.
- Ear loops instead of head bands. Head bands are crucial to the N95's tight fit.
- Claims for the of approval for children. NIOSH does not approve masks for children.
Got a real mask? Share these resources
The CDC and NIOSH have resources to help you in spotting counterfeit masks, or even other PPE and medical gear. You can start here and get more tips on vetting masks. You can also look through photos of non-NIOSH-approved masks.
Then, you can read about how to protect yourself from buying counterfeit goods.
Got a fake mask? Report it
Fake masks aren't the only counterfeit products being sold, nor the only scam to capitalize on the pandemic.
Criminal organizations are also trying to sell counterfeit pharmaceuticals, other PPE and medical devices to "unsuspecting American consumers," CBP Executive Director for Trade Policies and Programs, John Leonard, told CNN.
Covid-19 has been a fertile time for other scams of all kinds to proliferate -- most recently regarding vaccines.
While staying aware and keeping up-to-date, you can report any counterfeit masks to CBP through their reporting system, or by calling 1-800-BE-ALERT.
You can also report to the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center online, or by telephone at 1-866-IPR-2060.
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8DonCo
Re: Fake N95 masks have flooded the market
thanks anh 8 for the info .
thiet la` kho^? tra(m be^` nha
thiet la` kho^? tra(m be^` nha
TuTu
Re: Fake N95 masks have flooded the market
Makes me wonder ìf the ones my H bought online is real or not!
Last edited by LoveStory08 on Sat Feb 06, 2021 2:20 pm; edited 1 time in total
LoveStory08
Re: Fake N95 masks have flooded the market
Tui mới ordr 50 cái face masks thường trên amazon for $10 để double masks. Cái đó cũng tiện là họ có 5 cái pouches with 10 each mình bỏ trong bóp hay trong xe được.
ga10
Re: Fake N95 masks have flooded the market
double masks thi` chi. 10 đeo ma^`n sao ?
surgical mask ben trong, cloth mask ben ngoai` ?
tutu deo tum` lum ...noi' chung cai' ben trong nho? ho+n ....
surgical mask ben trong, cloth mask ben ngoai` ?
tutu deo tum` lum ...noi' chung cai' ben trong nho? ho+n ....
TuTu
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