You've Been Warned: Buying These Items On Amazon Is Risky Business

Since its launch as a bookseller in the 1990s, the online shopping platform Amazon has morphed into a worldwide phenomenon that has literally changed the way we shop. The convenience, the price, the speed, it all draws shoppers from everywhere and all walks of life. But as the old saying goes, buyer beware. When it comes to certain items, like high-end beauty products and cosmetics, the deals and the convenience may seem too irresistible to pass up, but you may not be getting exactly what you are looking for.

When you consider that Americans are spending, on average, more than $1,000 a year on Amazon, it is clearly a pain point to learn that some of those beloved products are not legit. Especially when it comes to beauty products. According to the online data site, Statista, the cosmetics market generates $20.85 billion in revenue, with a 3.33% annual growth rate expected, so it is no wonder that consumers flock to sites like Amazon in hopes of scoring great deals on high-end makeup and beauty products.

Counterfeit cosmetics and beauty products are a big business. The branding agency Soocial recently revealed that the counterfeit cosmetics industry in the United States generates approximately $75 million, resulting in an annual loss for the legitimate sector of the industry of approximately $5.4 billion. But as disturbing as these numbers are, perhaps a bigger concern is the physical dangers associated with counterfeit beauty and cosmetic products which could be made using unsafe and unhygienic practices using subpar products that are often illegal and harmful to users, like lead, arsenic, or mercury. Using these products can result in rashes, chemical burns and infections.

Amazon might have some sneaky ways of getting you to spend more money but ripping you off with fake products isn't the goal. Instead, it is a problem that arises from the ability for third-party sellers to hawk their wares on the platform, a practice that was first introduced in 2000.

Amazon uses tools like Transparency, a counterfeit prevention tool that uses unique serial codes for products shipped to consumers so counterfeit items don't make it to the buyer. Together with Project Zero, a tool that allows sellers to remove counterfeit items masquerading as their own genuine products from the site, these tools help sellers ensure that customers are getting legit products.

While these programs require the seller to enroll in order to protect their products from having counterfeit competition on the site, Amazon takes things a step further with the Counterfeit Crimes Unit (CCU). This unit works with law enforcement, customs, and customers who report receiving counterfeit products to shut down fraudulent sellers, seize counterfeit products, and prosecute individuals attempting to sell counterfeit products through its online marketplace. Currently, Amazon reports having pursued litigation and other legal action with 21,000 sellers of illegitimate products.

Protect yourself and your money by doing your due diligence when you want to shop, just as you would with other deals like Prime Day deals. This advice goes for all online marketplaces, since the internet is a breeding ground for scammers looking to separate you from your hard-earned money. When you are perusing the offerings on Amazon, be sure to check out the product reviews — and not just the first few. Make sure the reviews you are paying attention to are verified purchase reviews so you know you are hearing from individuals who have actually purchased the products.

You should also pay close attention to the seller. While Amazon puts a lot of effort into keeping counterfeit items off their site, the use of third-party sellers means that things can still slip through before the retail giant catches on, even if there are strict rules against it. If the seller is dubious, it may be best to avoid it and look for a listing from the actual manufacturer.

That doesn't mean that all third-party retailers are trying to rip you off, but if you have doubts and want to be sure you aren't being scammed, contact the manufacturer of the product to find out what retailers they partner with. If the seller named on the Amazon listing isn't a verified retailer of the product, then it's best to steer clear and keep shopping. When it comes to beauty products that will be interacting with your body, the risk is too great.