Fake Apple Watches at Target: what happened and how to respond
There’s a reason why you might want to unbox your Apple Watch or AirPods while you’re still at the counter.
Target store in California. David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images
There’s a reason why you might want to unbox your Apple Watch or AirPods while you’re still at the counter.
- Fake Apple products at Target typically get there via fraudsters who buy a genuine item, swap it with a counterfeit, reseal the box, and return it.
- Most store employees only inspect the box exterior and receipt, rarely verifying the serial number.
- Because this is a known, ongoing issue, employees tend to process refunds for customers who receive fakes rather than accuse them of fraud.
- Walmart and Costco have faced the same issue, with customers reporting fake AirPods and other Apple products across multiple major retailers.
- Experts recommend checking the serial number against Apple's records, inspecting print quality and build, and noting the weight.
Key Takeaways by nexos.ai, reviewed by Cybernews staff.
Even though it might be tempting to buy certain items, especially electronic goods, from unauthorized places due to lower prices, there’s a high chance you’ll end up scammed.
However, the same outcome can happen even if you buy from authorized shops.
One Reddit user recently shared how they bought an Apple Watch from Target.
“I opened it, and it was a fake. [...] When I booted it up, it flashed ‘Hiwear plus’ or something, so I knew it was bad. The box was sealed and everything,” shared the Redditor.
The person revealed that their wife returned the watch, and the store refunded her.
The situation prompted other netizens to share similar stories.
“This same thing happened to me with an Apple Watch Ultra 2 in December 2023 at Target,” wrote one user.
Where do these fakes come from?
Target is an official Apple product retailer, with the company saying on its website that “for years, Target has been a destination for Apple products.”
The user who received the fake Apple Watch Ultra 2 shared that the item “was clearly fake but completely resealed with the official Apple packaging. However, the charger was missing, and the band was clearly fake (cheap knockoff Ocean band).”
They also revealed that, as a result, Target “was very understanding” and granted a return.
“They might be understanding because they know about their shady supply issue,” wrote another Redditor.
The discussion soon revealed that it isn’t a supply problem, but rather fraudsters who buy the product from Target, swap it with a fake one, and then return it to the shop.
This way, they get to keep the original product (and later resell it) and the refund.
“I’m 99% sure it’s a customer switching in a fake then returning it. Unlike Amazon, Target doesn’t (yet) apply a unique barcode to each returned Apple Watch box. The return is just put back into circulation,” noted one netizen.
Target return policy
Target shoppers have 90 days to return most unopened items. Nevertheless, the company also noted that it “reserves the right to deny returns, refunds, and exchanges, including but not limited to cases of fraud, suspected fraud, or abuse.”
When it comes to Apple products, Target shares that they “must be returned/exchanged within 14 days.”
Several users noted that in such cases, Target employees often issue refunds for the fake item, but many find such a situation stressful because they’re afraid of being accused of fraud themselves.
However, given that this is an ongoing issue, Target employees proceed with a refund rather than accuse customers of fraudulent practices.
In 2024, it was reported that not only Target, but also other stores, including Walmart and Costco, were affected, with buyers complaining they received fake Apple AirPods, according to Headphonesty.
Insufficient checks?
Given that this problem has persisted for several years, what can be done to address it?
“Most retailers only check the return by looking at the box, the receipt, and the condition of the outside of the box,” noted Manny Soto, director of operations for Burning Daily, where he oversees warehouse and fulfillment operations.
The expert explained that employees often don’t check the serial number against the manufacturer's records.
“So the fake product is treated as a new product and returned to the shelf. The next customer who purchases this product will pay the full retail price for what he or she believes to be a new product,” said Soto.
According to the expert, employees should verify every customer's device serial number by scanning and logging it at the counter, then checking it against the manufacturer's database before processing any refunds.
“We added this exact step into our policy two years ago, and we experienced a 22% reduction in return-related shrinkage within six months,” Soto said, adding, “Those few seconds spent scanning and logging help to keep a potential scammer from passing off someone else's device on an honest buyer.”
Want to keep buying from Target? Know what to check
Convenience, store deals, brand loyalty, and the use of gift cards are only a few examples of why consumers choose to buy electronic goods from Target, according to Kirk A. Sigmon, an intellectual property attorney and founding partner at KellDann Law PLLC.
While the expert noted that such a fraud case could be resolved with “a receipt and adequate documentation,” a simple inspection could also save you some time.
So if you decide to buy your smartwatch or headphones from Target or Walmart, it’s best to check a few things right away.
“When you get to the counter, you should open the box, verify the serial number with what Apple shows on your device, and visually inspect the build quality,” explained Soto.
“Genuine products from Apple will have clear text printing, nicely fitted seals, and exact weight, counterfeit products may feel lighter and take longer to connect,” concluded the expert.
Cybernews has contacted Target for additional comment.
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