Consumers should be on their guard against counterfeit ink cartridges
, an expert has warned.
Writing in Packaging News, group sales director at the MSO Group Donny Gillies said firms are going to concerted efforts to stop such products going on sale.
He commented: "Nearly 4 billion is lost every year by legitimate manufacturers to counterfeiters who are able to effectively steal their profits by palming off customers with poor copies."
Mr Gillies added: "Global manufacturing is under attack from highly resourceful fraudsters who can cream off millions in fake products."
This includes printer ink cartridges, he went on to point out.
He claimed that counterfeiters are finding increasingly sophisticated ways of flooding the markets that are nearly impossible to tell apart from the real thing.
"Impossible that is until you try to use them. [Ink] cartridges that should deliver 100 cycles will run out after only 20. The ink will leak and smudge. And one manufacturer I know of faces an annual loss of 10 million to 12 million as a result," he stated.
Mr Gillies went on to describe counterfeiting as a form of "commercial terrorism" that does not play by specific rules - therefore making it hard to oppose.
However, a number of organisations are specialising in combating the activity, he noted.
In order to avoid purchasing substandard printer ink cartridges, people should ensure they visit reputable firms - whether this be on the high street or over the internet.
Such businesses will be sure to hand over proper versions of the items and therefore will not cause individuals disappointment and frustration.
Counterfeiters may currently be praying on the financial situations of consumers. Since the onset of the credit crunch, many people have suffered from a lack of finances and have been looking for ways in which to reduce their expenditure.