Flea Markets: The New Fashion Fakes Hot Spot?

USA Today reports on a startling new trend; flea markets riddled with fashion fakes. While most shoppers know that they can find fashion fakes in places like Canal Street in NYC or Bangkok, they are turning to a place closer to home: their local flea market.

However, those fashion fakes may be more trouble than shoppers bargain for. First, law enforcement officials stress that not only do fashion fakes usually mean poor quality, it also helps fund criminal activities. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has cases that link the sale of counterfeit goods to terrorist groups such as Hezbollah.

The final issue with buying fashion fakes? It hurts the U.S. economy. It is estimated that the sale of counterfeit goods costs the U.S. economy at least $200 billion in revenue and at least 750,000 in jobs. So the next time you are tempted to buy that faux Valentino satchel, just think about how it will affect the economy. In fact, almost 80% of fashion fakes are smuggled into this country from China and are unregulated.

So the next time you stroll your flea market and come across an unbelievable fashion steal, just remember that it could be more trouble than its worth.