Shopping for Labubus? Avoid counterfeits with these tips

It seems like everyone is trying to get their hands on the latest trending toy, the Labubu. Scammers are taking notice and selling counterfeit merchandise or creating fake websites with no real products to sell.

BBB Scam Tracker has 71 reports and counting from people who thought they were purchasing authentic Labubus, but they turned out to be counterfeit, or they didn’t receive anything at all.

One local consumer reported losing $70 on a counterfeit Labubu: “The website is selling fake Labubus. It advertises that they are authentic and offer a money-back guarantee. However, after receiving the fake product, they have not responded to emails. The tags on the fake Labubu read 'PBP MABT' instead of ‘POPMART,’ and the product is very poor quality. Some of the colors are incorrect as well.”

BBB has tips for spotting and avoiding counterfeit products when shopping online:

—Shop from reputable retailers. If you’re shopping for toys, you want to ensure you’re getting the right products. Counterfeit products can lead to health and safety risks. Shop for toys at reputable retailers that you know and are familiar with. Check www.BBB.org to read customer reviews and check BBB ratings. BBB Accredited Businesses follow BBB's Standards for Trust. You can find trusted online businesses by looking for the BBB Seal.

—Use caution when clicking on sponsored ads. You may come across an ad on social media promoting a sale on this season’s hot toy. Or when doing an online search, you may see the top search result is promoting a big sale. Scammers are taking advantage of sponsored or promoted ad spots on search engines and social media to trick online shoppers. Before you purchase anything online, always check that you are on a real and secure website.

—Be wary of too-good-to-be-true deals. If the product you want is extremely discounted, think twice before purchasing. Highly discounted merchandise is a red flag for a fake website or counterfeit products.

—Read customer reviews. It’s always a good idea to read customer reviews before making a purchase. If the website doesn’t show any, do an online search for reviews on other sites like www.BBB.org.

—Do your research. If you’re on an unfamiliar website, before you click purchase, do your research on the website. Do an online search with the website name and “scam” or check to see if there are any reports on BBB Scam Tracker.

—Use secure and traceable payment methods. Credit cards typically offer additional protection if you are scammed. Be wary if the website you’re on asks you to pay with a peer-to-peer payment app.