While there is not one single solution to eliminating organized retail crime or the sale of counterfeits, passing the INFORM Consumers Act (H.R. 5502) is an urgently needed first step. The legislation requires sensible verification and disclosure requirements designed to disrupt the ability of criminal networks to build a business selling illicit goods online that competes directly with legitimate businesses and entrepreneurs operating both physically and online.
The INFORM Consumers Act is uniquely positioned to help protect consumers and legitimate businesses by increasing transparency online, making it easier for consumers to identify exactly who they are buying from while making it harder for criminal elements to hide behind fake screen names and false business information. The legislation has unified retailers, consumer groups, leading online marketplaces, small online sellers, law enforcement, manufacturers and other groups that are serious about stopping the sale of counterfeit and stolen goods sold online.
The INFORM Consumers Act is uniquely positioned to help protect consumers and legitimate businesses by increasing transparency online, making it easier for consumers to identify exactly who they are buying from while making it harder for criminal elements to hide behind fake screen names and false business information. The legislation has unified retailers, consumer groups, leading online marketplaces, small online sellers, law enforcement, manufacturers and other groups that are serious about stopping the sale of counterfeit and stolen goods sold online.