Here’s how to spot a fake N95 mask. The NIOSH approved masks are top-tier of masks, but counterfeits have been flooding the market. Find out how to tell if a mask is counterfeit, both before and after you purchase.
Over the pandemic, face masks have of course become an essential. N95s are the go-to for medical environments, being NIOSH approved, which requires it to filter at least 95% or particles.
However, the masks have also become the focus of huge counterfeit scams. Reportedly, in the last few weeks over 11million fake N95 masks have been seized.
In September, US Customs and Border Protection Officers caught half a million fake N95 masks from a China shipment. While half a million more were found in Minnesota late last year.
How to spot a fake N95 mask
It’s important to first note that N95 and KN95 masks are different, and the latter has not been approved in the US. While non-medical professionals are generally advised not to purchase the masks, in order to prevent shortages.
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention have released official guidelines on spotting fake NIOSH approved masks.
- Ear loops: The biggest giveaway is that NIOSH approved masks, like N95s, will only have headbands, and never have ear loops.
- Children approval: If the mask advertises approval for use by children, it is fake. NIOSH does not approve any type of protection for children.
- NIOSH misspelled: It might seem obvious, but many fake masks misspell the NIOSH approval mark on the mask
- Decorative fabric or add-ons: NIOSH masks will never have decorative features
- NIOSH markings: If the mask doesn’t have a NIOSH marking on it, it is fake.
- Approval number: All NIOSH masks have an approval number on the filtering facepiece respirator or headband
Where to buy them online
Your best bet is always buying from well-recognised, recommended and trusted stores. However, if you choose to buy from a third-party retailer, there are some clues you can look out for fakes.
The CDC recommends:
- ‘Legitimate’ and ‘genuine’: If the site assures that it’s legitimate and genuine in text, then it likely isn’t.
- Look at the reviews: If previous buyers are unhappy with the quality, then there will probably be reviews expressing it.
- Are they selling ‘trends’: Check out the sites other items, and see if they tend to sell whatever items are popular at the time. Genuine mask sellers tend to stick to selling that at all times.
- Price: If it’s too good to be true, then it probably is just that.
- Stock quantity: If the seller has a constant supply of N95 masks, even during shortages, then they’re likely fake.
- Personal information: Within third-party marketplaces, it’s required for sellers and buyers to contact through the in-site messaging only. If they advertise other contact information, it’s likely fake.
- Email address: If the sites email address is a free one (i.e.: Gmail, Hotmail, etc) it may suggest fake items. If the seller is committed to selling a product, they will likely purchase a domain email.
- Typos and grammar: The oldest catch in the book. Typos and spelling errors could suggest fakes.
- ‘Cookie-cutter website’: The CDA says interchangeable sites are a sign of fakes. This means incorrect logos used, dummy text, blank pages, incorrect links, etc.