As the Carolina Hurricanes prepare for their Stanley Cup Final run, state officials are warning fans to be cautious when buying team merchandise because counterfeit gear could be circulating online, near the arena and around the city.
Real or Fake?
Here are the three things buyers should pay close attention before purchasing team merch:
Legit Merch
Legitimate merchandise should come from official team stores, licensed retailers or vendors inside the arena. Prices that seem far below what stores charge are a major red flag, she said. Authentic items should also include proper packaging, often with a hologram or other security feature on the tag.
Criminals rely on fans looking for a deal, Marshall said, but the consequences of buying counterfeit goods go far beyond a low quality T-shirt.
"The impact is frequently unknown, but it's horrific," she said. "There's no sales tax paid on this. Manufacturing may be happening in foreign countries using child labor or unsafe equipment. We know that terrorists support themselves with making and selling counterfeit goods."
Marshall urged fans who encounter suspicious sellers to notify law enforcement. Counterfeit enforcement teams will be stationed around the arena and monitoring online marketplaces and social media for illegal activity.
Officials say the best way to support the team and avoid funding criminal networks is to buy only from trusted, licensed retailers.
The puck drops tonight at 8:00 p.m. and you can watch live on ABC11.
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