Information on Fake 3M N95 Masks

3M MASK BUYERS

TO BEWARE OF FAKE COUNTERFIET N95 MASKS IN THE MARKET!

Recent demand for masks, especially N95 respirator masks by 3M brand spikes due to haze conditions caused by Indonesia forest fires. While various models of the popular 3M N95 respirator mask is a popular target of China counterfeiters, not only can counterfeit masks fail to perform as expected, counterfeit masks can cause allergic reactions.

Common techniques employed by most online sellers of fake 3M masks are by displaying what appears to be an authentic product, but when orders are paid for, the buyers receives products that might somewhat looks different from the real deal, or might even be a poor quality fake. Basic inspections for fake 3M masks are spelling/typo mistakes on the mask product, while some higher quality fakes can be hard to spot even for person with much experience.

3M Company will not release products with basic spelling/typo mistakes such as this packaging of a fake/counterfeit 3M mask product.

So how much do we know about the mask that we paid for are not fakes, and how can we verify the masks are authentic, up to performance and not expired even before we make purchase? You may verify your masks by following these steps:

1. Inquire for the 3M mask’s Lot Number from the seller you plan to purchase from. Sellers dealing with authentic products should not have a problem providing the Lot Number of the 3M mask. Besides having Lot Number on the packaging box, the Lot Number will be printed on each and every pieces of 3M mask as well. Most importantly, make sure the seller sends you the 3M mask with the SAME Lot Number printed on every mask you receive.

2. Visit official 3M Company’s Expiry Date Checker page at http://solutions.3m.com.sg/wps/portal/3M/en_SG/Personal_Safety/OHES/Resources/ExpiryChecker/

We had clarified with Personal Safety Division, Mr Danny Tan representing the 3M Company, that the Expiry Date Checker is accurate as long as the mask model appears in the drop down selection box, you may check the expiry date regardless country of the origin of the respirators.

3. Fill in the information according to the 3M mask model and Lot Number which you had obtained, click ‘Check Validity’ to receive an official email from 3M of the Validity Check results.
   • If you received the official 3M email mentioning the expiry information e.g “Jun 2020” from the submission, then the mask bearing the Lot Number is an AUTHENTIC 3M Company product.

     

   • However if you received the official 3M email mentioning the expiry information e.g “Invalid” from the submission, then the mask bearing the Lot Number is a FAKE/COUNTERFIET 3M Company product.

     

Congratulations if you had gotten the authentic 3M mask product!

However if you found that you had obtained a fake/counterfeit 3M mask product, you should stop using the mask as they are unlikely to be certified(e.g NIOSH) effective for use nor up to performance. It is also highly recommended to report your encounter with fake 3M masks to 3M Company at http://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/help-center/ so as 3M Company could investigate into matter and also preventing other market consumers from further purchasing fake/counterfeits.