Fake Product Detection Guide for Buyers (E-commerce + Offline)

🕵️‍♂️ Fake Product Detection Guide for Buyers (E-commerce + Offline)

Fake Products नकली, घटिया, या misleading products होते हैं।
इनसे पैसे का नुकसान और स्वास्थ्य / सुरक्षा जोखिम होता है।

1️⃣ Packaging & Label Check

  • ✅ Original logo और branding देखें
  • ✅ Spelling mistakes या font / color differences पर ध्यान दें
  • ✅ Tamper-proof seal / hologram / sticker की जांच करें
  • ✅ Batch number, manufacturing date, expiry date, MRP चेक करें

Legal Reference:

  • Legal Metrology Act, 2009 – सही वजन / माप / MRP आवश्यक
  • Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 – दवा पर proper label जरूरी

2️⃣ Price Comparison

  • ✅ बहुत कम या बहुत ज्यादा कीमत पर संदेह करें
  • ✅ Official / authorized seller के price से तुलना करें

Red Flag:

  • अगर online price normal से 30–50% कम है → fake product हो सकता है

3️⃣ Check Seller / Store Credentials

  • ✅ E-commerce: Verified seller / rating > 4.0
  • ✅ Offline: Authorized dealer / license / invoice check
  • ✅ Contact information / return policy जरूर देखें

Legal Reference:

  • Consumer Protection Act, 2019 – verified seller और grievance mechanism जरूरी

4️⃣ Product Quality & Features

  • ✅ Material / texture / weight check करें
  • ✅ Functionality / specifications original product से मिलाएं
  • ✅ Certificates, warranty / guarantee documents verify करें

Red Flag:

  • Features mismatch, low-quality packaging, unusual smell / color

5️⃣ Barcode / QR Code Verification

  • ✅ Scan barcode / QR code to verify manufacturer
  • ✅ Original product में valid barcode होगा

Legal Reference:

  • Legal Metrology / Drugs Act / FSSAI – Barcode / batch tracking mandatory

6️⃣ Check Reviews & Online Feedback

  • ✅ Read customer reviews carefully
  • ✅ Social media / forums पर product feedback देखें
  • ✅ Multiple negative reviews → red flag

7️⃣ Official Website / Helpline Verification

  • ✅ Manufacturer website पर product authenticity check
  • ✅ Helpline / customer care से verify करें

Legal Reference:

  • Consumer Protection Act, 2019 – misleading advertisement illegal
  • E-commerce Rules, 2020 – verified information mandatory

8️⃣ Red Flags in Online Marketplaces

  • ✅ Unusually fast shipping from unknown location
  • ✅ No proper invoice / bill / warranty
  • ✅ Multiple similar cheap listings → counterfeit

9️⃣ Testing & Inspection (for high-risk products)

  • ✅ Medicines → check batch number with CDSCO / Drugs Act
  • ✅ Food → check FSSAI license / expiry / ingredients
  • ✅ Electronics → test functionality, serial number verify

10️⃣ Keep Records

  • Invoice / Bill / Product photo
  • Screenshots of ads / description / price
  • Communication with seller / platform

Purpose:

  • Legal evidence for refund / replacement / complaint
  • Consumer court / CCPA case में मदद