Beware counterfeit holiday goods

Duck feathers found inside counterfeit Canada Goose jackets are shown at a RCMP press conference on Thursday. The RCMP say that these coats could be dangerous as they won't properly insulate your body.

This counterfeit Canada Goose jacket was on display at an RCMP press conference on Thursday. It was made with duck feathers and raccoon fur.

High-end luxury brands like Louis Vuitton are also imitated by clever counterfeiters. These suitcases, shown in Cannes, France as they are being prepared for destruction, are one of the goods seized in connection with the hotbed of counterfeiting that used to take place in that city.

The differences between real and counterfeit goods is often subtle, but important. Consumers can tell whether they're buying real or counterfeit items by looking at features like the quality of stitching and materials, how the company logo is displayed, and the accuracy of traditional patterns and logos on the company's product, as is the case with this real and counterfeit Burberry bags.

Police in Toronto are regularly trying to fight against the distribution and sale of counterfeit goods. In November, police seized $6.5 million worth of counterfeit goods, including clothes, cosmetics, electronics, prescription drugs and TTC tokens.

Included in the massive Toronto bust was various medications, like these fake Viagra pills. Taking these unregulated knock-offs can lead to illness or death, making the distribution of these goods extremely dangerous.

An even bigger haul of counterfeit goods was seized in California last year, as officers stopped five shipments of counterfeit products, like these fake Louboutin shoes, from hitting the streets. More than 20,000 pairs of shoes were seized in the shipment from China, with an estimated retail value of $18 million.

More than 20,000 pairs of counterfeit Louboutin pumps and high heels featuring the distinctive red sole of French designer Christian Louboutin are displayed at Price Transfer Warehouse on August 16, 2012 in Long Beach, California. Between July 27 and Aug. 14, import specialists and officers assigned to the Los Angeles and Long Beach seaport have seized a total of five shipments from China containing more than 20,000 pairs in violation of the French designer's trademark with a potential retail value of $18 million.

More than 20,000 pairs of counterfeit Louboutin pumps and high heels featuring the distinctive red sole of French designer Christian Louboutin are displayed at Price Transfer Warehouse on August 16, 2012 in Long Beach, California. Between July 27 and Aug. 14, import specialists and officers assigned to the Los Angeles and Long Beach seaport have seized a total of five shipments from China containing more than 20,000 pairs in violation of the French designer's trademark with a potential retail value of $18 million.

More than 20,000 pairs of counterfeit Louboutin pumps and high heels featuring the distinctive red sole of French designer Christian Louboutin are displayed at Price Transfer Warehouse on August 16, 2012 in Long Beach, California. Between July 27 and Aug. 14, import specialists and officers assigned to the Los Angeles and Long Beach seaport have seized a total of five shipments from China containing more than 20,000 pairs in violation of the French designer's trademark with a potential retail value of $18 million.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection field operations director Todd Owen displays counterfeit Louboutin pumps and high heels featuring the distinctive red sole of French designer Christian Louboutin are displayed at Price Transfer Warehouse on August 16, 2012 in Long Beach, California.