Press Release

October 28, 2020

Media Contact: media@buysafeamerica.org

Counterfeiters Will Try To Trick Unsuspecting Customers This Halloween 

Halloween & Costume Association, Buy Safe America Coalition Issue Warning To Consumers On Counterfeit And Stolen Goods Lurking On Online Marketplaces As Halloween Approaches

Washington, DC – The Buy Safe America Coalition, a diverse group of retailers, consumer groups, and manufacturers who support efforts to combat organized retail crime and protect consumers from the sale of counterfeit and stolen goods, and the Halloween & Costume Association, the leading trade organization to promote and build the celebration of Halloween in the United States, today released the following statement on the growing problem with counterfeit and stolen goods on online marketplaces. 

“Halloween is one of the biggest holidays of the year for online shopping, and criminals will undoubtedly attempt to trick unsuspecting consumers into buying their counterfeit and stolen goods,” said Michael Hanson, spokesperson for Buy Safe America Coalition. “Due to the hands-off approach taken by some leading e-commerce platforms, parents are left unprotected from the fake goods that have flooded these online marketplaces, putting their children at risk. Until we pass common-sense measures to collect and verify seller information on these platforms, parents need to be on high alert for fake and fraudulent Halloween goods sold online.”

“This Halloween will be different in so many ways, but the problem with fake Halloween goods sold online continues to worsen,” said Michele Buggy, Executive Director, Halloween & Costume Association. “We need to be able to trust the costumes, cosmetics, and other Halloween products parents are buying for their children are safe and legitimate.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents seized more than 33,000 counterfeit items valued at more than $8 million last year as part of a month-long operation tied to Halloween and holiday shopping. Meanwhile, fake Halloween goods sold online including novelty contact lenses from unreputable sellers, knock-off cosmetics and skincare products that include traces of dangerous chemicals and uncertified costumes and products can pose serious safety risks.

Visit BuySafeAmerica.org for more information about the growing problem of stolen and counterfeit goods and solutions to better protect consumers and businesses.

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The Buy Safe America Coalition represents a diverse group of responsible retailers, consumer groups, manufacturers, intellectual property advocates and law enforcement officials who support efforts at all levels of government to protect consumers and communities from the sale of counterfeit and stolen goods.

The Halloween & Costume Association is the ultimate authority for all things Halloween. This year, almost everything in our world has changed … but not our love for the fun, fright, and delight of Halloween. The HCA has some new tricks in their bag of treats this year and has launched a new resource that features the Official Trick or Treat Guidelines as well as a ton of alternate ways to SAFELY celebrate Halloween 2020! Visit www.Halloween2020.org