Beware of counterfeits and phishing scams amid Knicks, World Cup fever

Fans are spending big to support the Knicks and World Cup teams in town - but before you buy, 7 On Your Side has warning signs to spot counterfeit merch and phishing scams.

Yoav Keren, cybersecurity expert and CEO of BrandShield, says thousands of websites selling counterfeit gear have been set up just during the NBA Finals. Figuring out what is real and what's fake will take some serious sifting.

"The scammers and counterfeiters are going after trends," he said. "If there's more people searching for something, they will be there. It's a business."

Consumers may encounter popup for counterfeit shops on their social media feeds, inbox or texted to your phone.

Anyone buying gear should remember to check the website URL carefully. Anyone who makes a purchase on an imposter site should expect a low-quality knock-off or nothing at all.

"Do not click those links," said Keren. "If (the URL) has a typo, it's a scam."

If you do purchase something, beware of the follow-up text that says the payment didn't process or the package can't ship. That's likely a phishing scam, designed to steal your credit cards and drain bank accounts.

Remember to read reviews and use official retailers. You may pay more, but at least you know what you are getting.

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