How to Know If Your Phone Is Fake
With millions of units dispensed every year, Samsung, iPhone, LG, Lenovo, Alcatel, Nokia and other mobile brands have reached global recognition and are known to conduct fierce competitions among themselves. These brands have also dominated stalls, kiosks, and franchise stores across the globe. With each new release, people flock mobile phone stores to purchase.
However, other leading brands are not the only rival mobile manufacturers have. Mobile phone business gives big profit despite the competition. Fraudulent manufacturers of counterfeit mobile phones are also benefitting on the industry’s high revenue.
The Peterson Group, distributor and wholesaler of mobile phone accessories and laptop peripherals in Taiwan had recently participated in a buy-bust operation in one of the largest supplier of counterfeit mobile phones in Jakarta, Indonesia. The authorities along with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology regulations board of the country have discovered 5 stalls in Pasar Pagi Mangga Dua selling fake units of Samsung Galaxy and iPhones. Legitimate brands were also found but it was later confirmed that these are stolen products procured by pickpocketers.
So how do you avoid being scammed into buying fake mobile phone units? Here are some tips:
1. Research
Know your phone. You should only buy a phone made by a trusted manufacturer. Before committing to a purchase you should know the phone's specific model number, available colors, features, what software and hardware comes included and what warranty is offered with the product. Information about a specific model of phone can be found on the manufacturer’s website or through a registered retailer. Once you have this information it will make the job of identifying fake much easier.
2. Look into the Appearance
Do a closer inspection of the phone you will be purchasing as for the first glance, it can look identical to the real ones. Fraudsters cannot completely copy every aspect of the phone. There should be a difference in color, location of the buttons and size and spelling of the brand names. This is why a personal encounter with the phone would be very beneficial.
3. Don’t Forget to Check the Features and Functionality
Fraud copies are made in cheap materials and sub-standard components. Processing speeds may be lower, the images taken are pixelated or the operating system just doesn’t function smoothly. It is important to compare technical features to ensure the phone is genuine.
However, other leading brands are not the only rival mobile manufacturers have. Mobile phone business gives big profit despite the competition. Fraudulent manufacturers of counterfeit mobile phones are also benefitting on the industry’s high revenue.
The Peterson Group, distributor and wholesaler of mobile phone accessories and laptop peripherals in Taiwan had recently participated in a buy-bust operation in one of the largest supplier of counterfeit mobile phones in Jakarta, Indonesia. The authorities along with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology regulations board of the country have discovered 5 stalls in Pasar Pagi Mangga Dua selling fake units of Samsung Galaxy and iPhones. Legitimate brands were also found but it was later confirmed that these are stolen products procured by pickpocketers.
So how do you avoid being scammed into buying fake mobile phone units? Here are some tips:
1. Research
Know your phone. You should only buy a phone made by a trusted manufacturer. Before committing to a purchase you should know the phone's specific model number, available colors, features, what software and hardware comes included and what warranty is offered with the product. Information about a specific model of phone can be found on the manufacturer’s website or through a registered retailer. Once you have this information it will make the job of identifying fake much easier.
2. Look into the Appearance
Do a closer inspection of the phone you will be purchasing as for the first glance, it can look identical to the real ones. Fraudsters cannot completely copy every aspect of the phone. There should be a difference in color, location of the buttons and size and spelling of the brand names. This is why a personal encounter with the phone would be very beneficial.
3. Don’t Forget to Check the Features and Functionality
Fraud copies are made in cheap materials and sub-standard components. Processing speeds may be lower, the images taken are pixelated or the operating system just doesn’t function smoothly. It is important to compare technical features to ensure the phone is genuine.
