The Family Room

New Digs

2009-03-23T13:22:00.001-04:00

The Authentics Foundation is proud to report that it has upscaled its online home. Check us out at myauthentics.com. And while you're there, check out our new blog. We'll be posting there from now on, but will leave this site up as an archive of our online anticounterfeiting efforts.

NIR to My Heart.....

2008-07-30T09:53:00.007-04:00

Good news from azonano.com - NIR Technology Systems has developed a way for field agents to determine whether drugs are counterfeit in real time, without needing to go back to the lab. Utilizing near-infrared spectrometers that read near-infrared waves bounced off of the pills in question to determine their chemical composition. This technology not only able to determine the level of fakery for the drug in question, but can also to ascertain its source in some instances. Truly ingenious!

The applications for law enforcement and science boggle the mind. Everyone from Horatio Caine to Mr. Spock is going to want one of these babies. Good job, NIRS!

Wrist Slap

2008-07-03T12:29:00.009-04:00

Here is a disheartening story that just came over the wire - Viraj Shah was caught with 1.8 million pounds/ over $2 million worth of counterfeit drugs in London, and received a 51 week suspended prison sentence.

Any person possessing that much counterfeit medication is likely to have considerable assets, if only to purchase and sell at his point on the supply chain. He would also likely possess at least some information relating to his supply chain, such as who bought counterfeit drugs from him and who may have sold counterfeit drugs to him. And yet, there is no talk of a fine or even any certainty of Mr. Shah serving one day in prison. And, it does not appear from the article that Mr. Shah relayed any useful information concerning his cohorts to prosecutors.

Now maybe there is information on this case that the public is not aware of yet. Perhaps this man did inform on his partners in crime sotto voce, or maybe the state's case had a fatal flaw. But there is no evidence that any deal was made - the man was prosecuted, tried, convicted and sentenced.

The dangers of counterfeit medication are manifest and well-documented. Aside from possibly being ineffective and causing indirect harm, counterfeit medicines may well contain incorrect dosages or be made out of substances like cement powder - or worse.

The goals of criminal law enforcement are to mete out justice, rehabilitate the criminal and provide disincentives for the criminal and the public to engage in similar future behavior. Given the reckless dangers involved in dealing fake meds, it is clear that the crime well exceeded the very light punishment. There is also no evidence that Mr. Shah has been rehabilitated or even feels remorse for his actions. And as far as providing disincentives, the public has now been made aware of a lucrative career with extremely limited downside. So until the state gets serious about getting tough on people like Mr. Shaw, this problem will not get better.

With this publicity, it will likely get worse.

UPDATE: The press release from the U.K. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) describes how Mr. Shah got caught (inspection of consignments at Heathrow Airport) and the sentencing process (Mr. Shah plead guilty, and will perform community service in addition to his suspended sentence).

Counterfeiting and the Developing World

2008-06-26T13:55:00.005-04:00

The industrialized world might look at the developing world as a source of counterfeit crime, and that perception has some justification. After all, industry in the developing world has little capital for research and development, and the cheaper and more lucrative (if unlawful) route to development is often through counterfeiting goods and impinging on intellectual property rights.

But there is another side of the story, particularly in the realm of pharmaceutical products. In a region where up to 30% of the pharmaceuticals are counterfeit, citizens of third world countries suffer greatly when fake medicines enter their own health product supply chain. Nobody in these countries is immune from the risks of counterfeit drugs. For example, this article cites that the head of drug quality in Nigeria, Dr Dora Akunyili, suffered when her own sister died as a result of taking a counterfeit drug. But with weak central governments and the backing of organized crime, a successful effort is likely to be based on international cooperation.

Check out the article for an informative look at the issue.

June 12 is World Day Against Child Labor

2008-06-11T10:23:00.004-04:00

The Authentics Foundation
Partners with
CARE USA
Supporting the Global Launch of the
Pasty Collins Trust Fund Initiative
Advocacy Grants Program

Quality Education: Unlocking the Power Within
Liberated from Exploitation, Empowered to End Poverty

World Day Against Child Labor
12 June 2008

In observance of World Day Against Child Labor (WDACL), the Authentics Foundation is pleased to announce its partnership with CARE USA’s global launch of the Pasty Collins Trust Fund Initiative (PCTFI) Global Advocacy Grants Program (AGP) focused on increasing the educational attainment for girls marginalized by hazardous and exploitative child labor.

The Authentics Foundation recognizes CARE’s leadership and efforts in combating hazardous and exploitative children labor around the world and is pleased to be a part of this year’s WDACL observances. CARE is staging and participating in global observances in Indonesia, Tanzania, NW Balkans & Serbia, Togo, Ghana, Mali, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador and the United States supporting this year’s WDACL theme “Education, the Right Response to Child Labor.”

Along with the financial support of the Authentics Foundation, CARE USA, the International Labor Organization-International Program for the Elimination of Child Labor (ILO-IPEC), and its national partners are working in tandem hosting national public awareness events around the world focusing on the importance of a quality education for children engaged in hazardous and exploitative child labor, especially girls. This advocacy initiative being launched today will give a voice to girls who are hidden, often along the margins of society quietly toiling away in isolation, never having the chance to realize the promise of an education-much less ever seeing the inside of a classroom for themselves. No longer will their voices go unheard. Central to their struggle of lifting themselves out of poverty is unlocking the power within through the provisions of a quality education.

The Authentics Foundation will be funding a four-year policy and advocacy program aimed at bring about lasting change for adolescent girl child laborers. By working towards a more conducive policy environment in favor of specific policies that liberate girls trapped by hazardous and exploitative child labor and that ensure the promise of a quality education, the Authentics Foundation envisions a world free from the exploitation of children, empowering the end of global poverty. Through specific interventions targeting sustainable change will this vision become a reality for 216 million child laborers around the world.

For more information on the Authentics Foundation, please visit www.myauthentics.com and to learn more about CARE’s efforts to eliminate hazardous and exploitative child labor please visit www.care.org and do your part by making a contribution today.

50% of online medication is fake

2008-05-27T15:42:00.002-04:00

According to the World Health Organisation, 50% of the drugs sold online are fakes.

Moreover, the WHO reported in November 2006 that 10% of medicines in Russia were phoney, 25% in India, 35% in Lebanon, 40% in Peru, 48% in Nigeria and 70% in Angola.

WHO estimates that of the approximately one million people who die of malaria every year, 200,000 could be saved if authentic drugs were distributed.

Dodgy medicines are just one part of a massive global trade in counterfeit goods that has developed as capitalists in marginalised countries scramble to catch up with their First World counterparts.

In a February 1 announcement that Australia will join negotiations for a new international Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, trade minister Simon Crean noted a recent OECD report that international trade in counterfeit and pirated goods is worth approximately US$200 billion annually.

Discounted death

Whether it be fake condoms, adulterated alcohol, car or aircraft spare parts or copies of drugs, the rise of “counterfeit” capitalism poses a grave danger to ordinary people. It marks a return to the wild days of capitalist fakery that Marx observed in England in the 1860s.

Nineteen people died in Turkey in March 2005 after drinking impure raki (an alcoholic beverage). In Russia, 53,000 people have died from poisonous liquor. According to the OECD, the proportion of phoney spare parts in world trade rose from 5% in 2000 to 10% in 2005.

The range of counterfeits is expanding, including: toys, textiles, software, books, musical and film piracy, bank notes, food products (mineral water, apple juice, tea, alcohol), toothpaste, various perfumes and cosmetics, electrical goods and their spare parts and cigarettes.

Examples of counterfeit “intellectual property” include fake Chinese-made Yamaha motor scooters, complete with the Yamaha logo and a fake “BP” service station that the World Customs Organisation discovered in the Caucasus selling contraband fuel.

The huge trade calls into question the entire structure of ownership and control maintained by capitalist states. It is also likely that a certain amount of fakery is tolerated in order to keep the cost of living bearable.

Fake medicines carry multiple dangers. They may contain harmful or even fatal ingredients, or not an effective amount of the correct ingredient.

Interpol believes that the trade in counterfeits has grown eight times faster than world trade since the early ’90s. The US reported an 83% increase in seizures in fiscal year 2006 — a record for US customs. The European Commission reported a 330% increase in seizures in the EU between 2005 and ’06. As only between 3-5% of goods entering the EU are subject to control, clearly fakes are flooding in.

Patents and black markets

Giant pharmaceutical companies justify the high prices of their brand name products by citing development costs. The gigantic profit premiums secured through their patent rights are referred to as “technological rent”. That is, price gouging made possible by restricting access to the technology.

However, in the internet age, characterised by globalisation and complex logistical networks it is easy to get around these patent barriers. If drugs are not paid for through a form of social security coverage then patent barriers artificially create a demand and then a black market to serve it.

For example, Acomplia (rimonabant) — an anti-obesity drug produced by Sanofi Aventis — cost 800 million euros and took 10 years of research. It was copied before it was put on the market! Fake Viagra can be sold at prices 70% below that of the real thing.

A kilo of heroin produces a 200% profit in Europe, but a kilo of Viagra’s active ingredient from India creates a profit of more than 2000%, according to a former Scotland Yard detective quoted by the May 26, 2007 Le Monde.

According to the European Commission, there is less than 2000 euros profit in 1 kilogram of cannabis sold in Europe, while 1 kilo of pirated CDs produces 3000 euros profit.

Five cases of fake medicines bought in pharmacies have been identified in Britain between 2005 and 2007. In France, one case occurred in 2004 involving false contact lenses, similar to the original but not sterilised. The proposed EU liberalisation of pharmacies will further weaken protection against these scams.

The criminal gangs involved can easily sell small amounts safely on the internet, which is legal in the US and Canada. The approximately 40 million US citizens not covered by health insurance are ready targets.

Legal and illegal capitalists

But the counterfeiters can only move big-profit, wholesale amounts of product by breaking into legal distribution channels through deception. To confuse detection counterfeit goods usually pass through several countries before arriving at their final destination.

Often fake “spare parts” are transported, partially assembled in one country and then completed in another. Major ports and international airports then handle them as legitimate cargo. Fakes are sometimes mixed with authentic products in the same consignment.

Logically, trade on this scale could not occur without the collaboration of transport companies and other “legitimate” capitalists turning a blind eye, at least. The line between legitimate and illegitimate capital is very blurred.

Asia is the main production source of counterfeits. On May 23, 2007, Le Figaro reported that 86% of 2006 EU seizures of counterfeits originated in China. Counterfeiting employs 3-5 million Chinese workers and accounts for 8% of GDP. Russia, South American, African and some European countries are also producers.

In Buenos Aires, the huge Salada market, covering 20 hectares with 15,000 stands, sells 100 million garments per year — 50% are said to be fake, according to an EU report.

Given the scale of counterfeiting, the legal response from major states has been quite meagre. This raises the question of whether a certain amount of counterfeiting is tolerable to keep a lid on monopoly price power wielded by the big business patent holders.

Mercenary police forces

Unhappy with state responses, the major corporations are banding together to develop their own private intelligence forces to trace and stifle counterfeiters. Major players are the Business Software Alliance (BSA); the Union of Manufacturers; the Motion Picture Association of America; and the International Federation of Phonographic Industries. The BSA pays for investigators and participates in raids along with police against illicit software manufacturers.

They have head-hunted police operatives from various countries to conduct field investigations and provide evidence to authorities. These mercenary police forces work closely with state authorities, providing logistical support such as vehicles and analytical laboratories where countries have limited financial resources. The BSA also recruits expert witness for court cases or parliamentary commissions involved in drafting international treaties.

Fakery has always been a feature of capitalism. In Capital, Karl Marx wrote about the 1860 British law preventing the adulteration of food and drink. It was “an inoperative law, as it naturally shows the tenderest consideration for every Free-trader who determines by the buying or selling of adulterated commodities ‘to turn an honest penny’. The
[parliamentary] Committee itself formulated more or less naively its conviction that Free-trade meant essentially trade with adulterated, or as the English ingeniously put it, ‘sophisticated’ goods.”

The new rise in piracy reflects the earlier era of capitalist
accumulation when English sea captains like Drake, Grenville, Raleigh and Morgan brought home Spanish gold for Queen Elizabeth I. They are heroes in establishment history books, however they were never anything more than thieves. But the bulging Spanish galleons they plundered were also owned by thieves.

The situation is similar today where mafia smugglers and brutal sweatshop operators producing modern day “sophisticated” goods are carving from the flesh of workers their own primitive accumulation of capital in competition with bloated multinational corporations.

If patents simply did not exist, then goods could be produced as cheaply as possibly and distributed to those needing them. In such a world, profit would be impossible. However, it would mean that the world’s productive capacity, currently distorted and degraded by patent laws and customs barriers, would be freed to serve the needs of all humanity.

Story via Green Left
Photo credit

How to Spot fake toys, medicines, cigarettes, alcohol

2008-04-01T10:17:00.002-04:00

Counterfeiting has become such a grave issue that it is being reported by publications of all kinds, including the UK's Daily Mirror. They ran a useful piece on how to spot a fake in their consumer section last week, which is excerpted here:

"Toys

What might seem a bargain may end up costing you and your kids dearly.

The dangers: Fake toys are often poorly made and break easily, posing a choking hazard.

How To Spot A Fake: Look for the BSI Kite, CE and Lion quality marks which show the toy has passed rigorous safety tests. Also make sure toys come in quality sealed packaging.

Medicines

Sales of counterfeit medicines have rocketed thanks to the net, which allows illegal pharmacies to sell dangerously substandard medicines.

A study carried out by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Of Great Britain found around half of Viagra samples bought online were fake.

The dangers: Fake medicines may contain some of the correct ingredients but they're not licensed or regulated and could cause prolonged illness, unexpected side effects and, in the worst cases, death.

How To Spot A Fake: Fake medicines are hard to spot but check that batch numbers and expiry dates correspond. Look for faded packaging and question large discounts.

Cigarettes

You might think cut-price cigarettes are cheap because they're imported but in China alone 100billion fake fags are produced each year.

The dangers: Fake cigarettes often contain much higher levels of nicotine and tar than legitimate ones and produce more carbon monoxide. They can also be contaminated with substances such as plastics, wrapping materials and even sand.

How To Spot A Fake: Packaging usually resembles the real thing but look for spelling mistakes in the small print on the box.

Other clues are foreign or misspelt safety warnings - or none at all. The box construction and quality of paper and glue are often noticeably inferior.

Alcohol

You might think you're getting a bargain but when it comes to alcohol you don't know what you're drinking.

The dangers: Fake spirits can contain high levels of methanol, a chemical that can cause liver damage, blindness, coma and even death.

How To Spot A Fake: Examine the quality and cleanliness of cartons, bottles and labels. Look for spelling and artwork mistakes, especially brand logos and designs. Check the bottle's anti-tamper device is intact and be wary of brands you don't recognise."

Read the full story here

Lego Photo Credit
Vodka Photo Credit

Fake Heparin Kills 19, Is Recalled

2008-04-01T09:39:00.001-04:00

Often times, when considering the issue of fake pharmaceuticals, consumers like to believe that their own countries' stringent medical regulatory system prevent fakes from getting in their supply chain. Walt Bogdanich of the New York Times, who broke the 2007 story of counterfeit cough syrup being responsible for the deaths of 120 Panamanians, has broken a new story that should make those in the EU and America sit up straighter.

Counterfeit heparin.

Heparin is a blood thinner often used in surgery and dialysis, and this year, the United States Food and Drug Administration linked contaminated versions of the thinner to 19 deaths. After much testing, the truth came out--the heparin wasn't heparin at all, but a counterfeit attempting to mimic the effects of the real thing, with tragic results.

Bogdanich writes:
"What a difference a year makes.

After many near misses and warning signs, the heparin scare has eliminated any doubt that, here and abroad, regulatory agencies overseeing the safety of medicine are overwhelmed in a global economy where supply chains are long and opaque, and often involve many manufacturers.

“In the 1990s governments were all about trying to maximize the volume of international trade,” said Moisés Naím, editor in chief of Foreign Policy magazine and author of “Illicit: How Smugglers, Traffickers and Copycats Are Hijacking the Global Economy.” “I’m all for that, but I believe this decade is going to be about maximizing the quality of that trade, not quantity.”

Mr. Naím said the heparin scare is already having a “huge” impact, fueling worldwide anxiety over imported medicine and a growing demand for consumer protection."

In addition to the Times article, Sue Hughes of Medscape writes that 350 adverse reactions to Baxter (the company which produces the heparin) products have been reported, with at least 40% considered serious.

Read the full New York Times article here

FDA Recalls Heparin

For questions contact Baxter Inc.

Photo Credit

Fake Tickle-Me Elmos Cause More Harm than Laughter

2007-12-19T16:37:00.000-05:00

The Tickle Me Elmo toy has had parents turning into frenzied shoppers for many Christmas' now. But the furry red character, designed to giggle when tickled in the belly, is experiencing problems in this, its eleventh year on store shelves.

According to an ABC report, bootleg copies of the toy have been appearing in Baltimore mall kiosks.

"This could be an unsafe product. We have no guarantee of its safety," Angie Barnett, of the Better Business Bureau told ABC. "Who knows what that's made of?"

You can avoid this counterfeit toy by

Noting the name: The counterfeit is called "The Laughing Doll," even though it looks identical to Tickle Me Elmo.
Price: Ironically, it is the fake in this case which is more expensive. Know and notice your prices.

Click here to watch ABC's news report, "No Laughing Matter."

Photo Credit

Counterfeit Drugs’ Path Eased by Free Trade Zones

2007-12-17T12:31:00.000-05:00

Walt Bogdanich of the New York Times has written a number of fascinating articles on counterfeit drugs, and their fatal effects. Just today, his article string 'A Toxic Pipeline,' was updated with an informative piece on exactly how difficult it can be to trace phony medication back to the production line.

Free trade zones can be a very good thing for the global economy, and help products move quicker from one nation to another. But, as Bogdanich points out, they also hide the provenance of fake medications, allowing consumers online for instance to believe their pills have come from small processing plants in the US or Canada when they may have originated in dirty factories in Dubai.

"An examination of [an earlier] case reveals its link to a complex supply chain of fake drugs that ran from China through Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates, Britain and the Bahamas, ultimately leading to an Internet pharmacy whose American customers believed they were buying medicine from Canada, according to interviews with regulators and drug company investigators in six countries.

The seizure highlights how counterfeit drugs move in a global economy, and why they are so difficult to trace. And it underscores the role played by free trade zones — areas specially designated by a growing number of countries to encourage trade, where tariffs are waived and there is minimal regulatory oversight.

The problem is that counterfeiters use free trade zones to hide — or sanitize — a drug’s provenance, or to make, market or relabel adulterated products, according to anticounterfeiting experts.

“Free trade zones allow counterfeiters to evade the laws of the country because often times the regulations are lax in these zones,” said Ilisa Bernstein, director of pharmacy affairs at the United States Food and Drug Administration. “This is where some of the Internet sellers work,” she added." [Read full story here]

Some consumers purchase drugs on the internet knowing that their country of origin might be questionable, but trusting that the goods are safe. Experts would implore these consumers to understand the health hazards of such a move. Take a recent example of counterfeit pills seized in a free trade zone next to Dubai's main airport. The bundles contained half a million fake Plavix pills, blood-thinning medication made by Sanofi-Aventis.

Some of the medication was little more than cement powder, a Dubai government official said at the time.

Photo Credit

Beware Counterfeit Circuit Breakers: Connecticut Electric Recalls

2007-11-05T10:12:00.000-05:00

Connecticut Electric has recalled a total of 64,000 circuit breakers since finding out the product, marked with the "Square D" label, are counterfeit.

These fakes allegedly fail to trip when required. Square D is in the process of removing all such circuit breakers from the market at the moment.

Luckily, no reports of injury have been filed, but the product does pose a threat, so be aware.

For more information, Call Connecticut Electric at (866) 264-3702 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Read the press release here.

New Site Targets Counterfeit Wines

2007-10-29T07:16:00.000-04:00

A new website, www.wineauthentication.com, has been launched to help identify and authenticate real wines. Wine connoisseur Russell Frye, who sold over $7.8 million worth of his collection at Sotheby's in May 2006, decided to establish the site to combat counterfeits. The issue of wine fraud has been a hot topic lately, with journalistic giants like The New Yorker taking on the topic of a questionable influx of once-precious vintages. Last September, Slate magazine asked "How big a problem is counterfeit wine?" Not soon after, wine authority Decanter featured a story on how the finest niches of the market are being sullied due to fakes.

"There were more 45s sold and drunk in 1995 than had ever been made," said Serena Sutcliffe, head of Sotheby's international wine department. "A lot of the best wines were virtually finished 30 to 40 years ago, and now they're growing on trees."

Experts say that nearly 5% of fine vintages on the market are counterfeit. But efforts to combat this recent upswing in fakes are growing. A new technology called Prooftag has been released, which features a special metal seal with a unique reference number and pattern, verifiable on the website. John Kapon, the president of auctioneer Acker Merrall & Condit, calls fraudulent wine "an A+++ problem." But with the launch of his new site, Russell Frye hopes to stamp out fakes for good.

"Individual collectors such as myself have discovered that some rare bottles purchased from supposedly trustworthy vendors are not what they seem," says Frye. "I'm sure that most of you have seen the large number of articles that have appeared this past year regarding the subject. Up until now, there was no easily accessible resource available to help people determine the authenticity of these bottles. wineauthentication.com is the very first website to offer help, advice and a community to share experiences and ideas with."

The new website features :

An article registry where those interested in wine fraud can keep abreast of the latest news.
A discussion forum for consumers to share ideas, tips and concerns about counterfeit wines.
Bottle photos to ease inspection of your own vintages.
A bottle registry.
Counterfeiting solutions, offering expert advice on what to avoid.
A list of the top ten fakes.
A space to report suspect wines, and an authentication service.

Here are our own tips on how to spot fake wine:

Analyze the bottle: Glassblowing has changed considerably, and bottles produced today display much more perfect symmetry and such than older pieces of glass. Famous vintages bottled before 1982 will have distinct differences in bottle features that an expert can suggest you look for.
Cork up: Wines bottled at chateaus have proper vintage and brand labels on their corks. But, before the Seventies, many wines were shipped in casks and only later bottled by individual merchants themselves. This led to different corks on the same vintage ("Berry Brothers," "Belgium bottled," et al.) Some vintages even have misprints on their corks or labels, so be sure to look for those in the proper instances.
Be a Label Lover: Is the label on that priceless vintage just too new to be true? Older wines will have somewhat worn or even damaged labels. In fact, wines stored in proper humidity usually have some label staining due to condensation. Besides the look of the label, check spelling, typeface etc.
Check Provenance: The most premium wines have lived in the cellars of their respective chateaus since they were bottled. This can't always be the case, but be aware that wines which have questionable trading trails can also have questionable authenticity.
Crystallization and Sediments: Those new to the wine market might think sedimentation is a fault in the wine. Actually, this is a natural occurrence in many wines, most especially those which are older, where the settling of solid matter is simply a sign of age and not quality. Be wary of vintage bottles that don't display this common 'problem.'

That said, even authentic wines might come heavily discounted if there are faults with their individual bottles. Wine collection is a serious business, but even the most zealous of collectors don't believe it's worth acquiring bad bottles of authentic vintages. Common faults with wine include liquid that has been 'cooked,' corked or even oxidized. Cooked wine has been sitting in temperatures too high to be ideal, which leads to a stewed flavor. Signs that this has happened include corks that are not flush with or below the level of the mouth of the bottle. This indicates the wine has been heated, which causes expansion and pushes the cork higher. Corked wine is a common fault, and occurs when corks become infected by a fungus that produces TCA, or 1,2,4-trichloroanisole.

Take care to buy from reputable merchants. Wine expert Jim Budd's website offers examples of fraudsters in the European wine market, so be sure to check that list.

Photo Credit

How to Spot Counterfeit Webkinz

2007-10-22T04:59:00.000-04:00

Webkinz are so cute we can't help but smile. Having been released three years ago, many toy collectors say they are only now getting their due. The selling niche for these adorable stuffed animals has gotten bigger and bigger, and many people turn to eBay to grab one as a last minute gift for their little loved one.

eBay user brilliant_baby has some great tips on how to avoid fake Webkinz both on and offline, as the popularity for these furry friends has meant counterfeiters target them.

"One way to guard against buying a counterfeit is to bid only on items that have the actual picture of the item you are bidding on. Ganz does not allow use of their photos on eBay so if your potential seller is disregarding copyright and trademark laws in this regard, what other policies or laws may they be disregarding?

Also, know that Ganz attaches a unique code to each Webkinz using two short plastic tags that go through the plastic-encased tag through their leg and out the other side. There is also a blue ribbon that goes around the leg and through the plastic holder. If your tag is not attached in this way, it has likely been tampered with. The code can only be used once and Ganz will not replace them. If you suspect your code has been used, the only way to find out is to register it. But if you are intending to collect Webkinz and not play with them on-line, that won’t help you- you’ll have to see about getting a refund or exchange from your seller.

Regarding the magic “W”, the original Webkinz did not have the embroidered “W” (found on the foot or rump) and so they are rarer and tend to sell for more. It is not an indication of authenticity."

Source
Photo Credit

How to Avoid Buying Counterfeit Medications Online

2007-10-19T07:02:00.000-04:00

The accessibility and speed of the internet has radically changed commerce. Even those who a decade ago distrusted online retailers now understand that many safe and effective e-marketplaces exist. That said, the internet is also one of the easiest places to be misled about a purchase. Counterfeiters take advantage of the fact that glossy websites are all that's needed to host a "believable" business. Nowhere is this more dangerous to your health then in the pharmaceutical industry, where fake e-pharmacies can offer medicine with no active ingredients or overdose levels of your meds. Here's how to steer clear:

Pill size/shape/color: If you have taken the medicine before, does it look the same as your previous medicine? Be aware, though, that looks can deceive. Even if it looks real, it may not be.
Taste: When counterfeiters fake medications, they put in entirely different (harmful) ingredients. Does your medicine taste the same? If it is a pill, is it more powdery, or does it dissolve too easily? A notorious counterfeiting trick is to use baking soda as the main element of their fakes. Other ingredients in fakes include chalk and antifreeze components.
Effectiveness: Have you noticed any changes in your health or well-being? Does the drug effect you in the same way?

A lengthier guide to buying counterfeit medications can be found here. Be especially aware of those drugs which the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy list as the most counterfeited:

Lipitor (atorvastatin)
Lamisil (terbinafine)
Sustivaa (efavirenz)
Diflucan (fluconazole)
Procrit (epoetin alfa)
Zocor (simvastatin)

Photo Credit

One Man's Junk is Another Man's Junk

2007-09-06T04:33:00.001-04:00

Photo Credit: ShazzMack

The Frugal Duchess just tipped us off to a great story on bargain bins in ShopSmart Magazine's Aug/Sep issue. Since we all like a good discount,"Dollar Stores" (Or "99 pence" or "One Euro," etc.) are never going away. There are some steals to be found at these treasure troves, but there are also some items to seriously avoid.

Here are the products to buy elsewhere:

Toys: Though the inexpensive dolls, trains, and games in discount stores are tempting options, stay away. Counterfeits can unintentionally be purchased by discount suppliers, meaning these toys have not been tested for safety. This is a big safety hazard for children, as it can mean small pieces that can cause choking, or even lead paint.
Sound-a-Likes: Seeing a pack of Dinacell batteries can cause explosive laughter. It can also cause an explosive computer mouse. At the last count, there were $23 million in fake batteries produced per year--that's a lot of bad batteries. And, as Flickr users have posted lately, the explosion can be both scary and a nuisance. Shop Smart even found some that leaked acid. Best to buy the real thing at the real price.
Electrical Products: We've sung the praises of Underwriters Laboratories before, but let's remind ourselves once again that cheap electrical cords, phones, etc. can burn down your house. Make sure the product has a hologram on the UL logo. That said, try to buy electrical products elsewhere.
Vitamins: In their testing, Consumer Reports found that many of the vitamins purchased at Dollar Stores either failed to dissolve properly or actually lied about their ingredients. The magazine suggested purchasing discounted Centrum or Bayer One-a-Day pills, but we recommend visiting your local health store to get them. These shops offer trained staff and personalized vitamin blends.

So what can you buy at the dollar store? We haven't seen anything against the cute stationary and wrapping papers, so buy away!

Photo Credits: The Felt Mouse

UL Warns of Counterfeit Surge Protectors

2007-08-22T09:17:00.001-04:00

plugged
Originally uploaded by michale

NORTHBROOK, IL--(Marketwire - August 21, 2007) - Underwriters Laboratories (UL) is notifying consumers and retailers that surge protectors bearing the brand name "Fussion" bear a counterfeit UL Mark for the United States. The surge protectors have not been evaluated for safety by UL and are not eligible to bear the UL Mark.

On the packaging:

The surge protectors have six outlets and display a counterfeit UL Mark on the packaging. Model PBR-4506 appears on the package with the brand name "Fussion."

On the Product:

A molded marking on the back of the surge protector identifies the unit as Model MDE-28.

Hazard: The product does not contain a ground wire or surge protection. It has undersized wire and insulation that does not meet UL's Standard for Safety for surge protectors. Using the product could pose a potential electric shock or fire hazard.

What you should do: UL recommends that users stop using these surge protectors immediately and return them to the place of purchase.

Source: Underwriter's Laboratory Inc.

How to Spot a Fake Guitar

2007-08-20T12:22:00.000-04:00

guitar
Originally uploaded by keela84

As a musician, I can tell the difference in timbre and tonality of a good guitar and a substandard one. There is something about the hum of a well made guitar--warm and blanketing--that the light tin of a lesser version can't match.

That said, my first guitar cost $90 and was from a discount shop. I learned to play 'Miss American Pie' and the entire Beatles catalog on it, and it treated me well until I upgraded.

When my brother started playing, he decided to try and buy a high-end guitar right away. Looking for a good deal, though, turned up some pretty bad counterfeits.
Getting fooled on something like that is a bummer, so here are some tips to make sure you buy the best:

Gibson Leads the Fight Against Counterfeit Guitars

And to report anything suspicious:
Internet Crime Complaint Center

-LiliAna A.

Sweepstakes Scam

2007-08-20T08:04:00.001-04:00

Junk mail
Originally uploaded by Fernando Miceli

When I was young, I would look at the pile of junk mail on our foyer table with delight. All those bright yellow and red envelopes, telling us we'd won thousands! I wondered why my mother was throwing them away, thinking of all the lonely Barbie dolls I would never call my own. Once I ripped one open and it told me to buy a bunch of magazines. I got seriously confused, because, if I had a million dollars, magazines would not be first on my list. Perhaps the jolly grey-haired grandpa in the photo thought that was a good idea for me, but I had bigger aspirations.

Forbes ran a great piece on avoiding Sweepstakes scams this week. It's a good read.

-LiliAna A.

How Fine is Your Wine?

2007-08-16T12:24:00.000-04:00

On Wine How to Select & Serve
Originally uploaded by get directly down

Did you hear that they are faking wine now?

I adore wine--particularly the very unloved rose, which is not too sweet nor bitter. It gets a bad rap, I think because it's pink. But, as Kay Thompson cooed in her ineffable portrayal of a fashion editor in Funny Face, "think pink!"

Or not. I understand if Chianti is your thing, just please leave me and my inferior wine alone. What are your favorite wines with meals and desserts?

Statistics
Is your Wine as Fine as it Looks? (Money Week)
90% Fake Wine (Fermentation News)

Update:
Sleever Intl. just developed a heat shrink label with integrated holograms that will help ensure the authenticity of wines. It can't verify that vintage, but it will make you much happier with your newer labels. Read the story here.

-LiliAna A.

Welcome!

2007-08-09T12:07:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the family room! This blog is dedicated to home and family. We will cover everything from how to decorate a small bedroom, to quick recipes to what toys are being recalled.