3M expands resources to target fraud

Global manufacturer, 3M, expands its region-specific resources to report and stop fraud around the world surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak.

3M produces respirators and other critical products needed to fight COVID-19 in the U.S., Europe, Latin America and Asia. However, it appears that others are trying to benefit by creating counterfeit goods online.

To combat increased counterfeiting and online fraud during the COVID-19 outbreak, 3M is ramping up law enforcement across the world. This is an aggressive legal effort preventing profiteers taking advantage of demand for 3M products used by healthcare workers.

Building on this work, 3M has established dedicated phone lines to report suspected fraud. It has also created online resources to help spot price-gouging, identify authentic 3M respirators and ensure products are legitimate.

3M has investigated more than 7,700 fraud reports globally, filed 19 lawsuits, and has been granted nine temporary restraining orders and seven preliminary injunctions.

More than 13,500 false or deceptive social media posts, over 11,500 fraudulent e-commerce offerings and at least 235 deceptive domain names have been removed.

3M has been in receipt of settlement payments in seven cases, with all proceeds being donated to COVID-19 related charities.

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