FLEMING ISLAND - In a world of scams and schemes, there is always a chance that your belongings are not what they may seem. 

With the growth of online marketplaces such as Amazon, Poshmark, The RealReal, Etsy and eBay, the ability to sell and purchase counterfeit products is rising.

Handbag expert and owner of Lux Upscale Resale Boutique Erica Burks said most of the time, victims aren’t even aware their items are not authentic, prompting a necessary conversation on proper shopping.

“We work hard for our money," she said. "It’s stripping of your dignity whenever you've found that you spent $500 on something that wasn't real."

Running one of multiple local consignment shops prized for offering luxury brand handbags, such as Michael Kors, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton, Burks's mission is to ensure her customers get what they pay.

In a partnership with Entrupy, an AI-powered luxury authenticator, Burks said Lux is the only shop in the county to offer this proof of designer goods.

She takes the device, a simple iPod Touch, and selects the supposed brand type and style. 

Taking pictures of each section, from logos and date codes to the leather coating and zipper, allows the device to get a clear view of what it is looking at.

Hitting the submit button, Burks said it could take up to 30 minutes for results. But, usually, she is quickly brought to a screen, deeming the purse authentic or inauthentic. Authentic results come with an official certificate.

Burks said she provides the service to her customers, hoping to save them from fraudulent scams.

“That’s why I'd rather offer it to the community so they can come in and come to a source and know that it's always going to be authentic,” Burks said. 

Even without the use of technology, Burks said there are still other ways to tell off the bat if your handbag is genuine. 

Here are some additional tips and tricks she said are essential to look out for.

1. Pay attention to detail.

Most designer bags use leather instead of a coated canvas. Burks also warns against AAA quality replicas, which use cheaper leather and are sold at high prices.

In the long run, luxury bags are also more likely to last longer due to the quality material used to create them. If your bag is falling apart or peeling easily, Burks said it’s probably not real. 

Also, many brands are only made in certain countries. Check the tag on your purses to see where your wallet was manufactured. It may not be legitimate.

2. Hidden codes 

 On Louis Vuitton purses, specifically, there is also an alphabetic code for the country in which the purse was made. Although Burks said older, authentic styles won't have a code.

Due to the influx of fake products, the company frequently changed the codes and even recently switched to using microchips instead, which she said is a vital sign.

“If someone was to bring this to me and there was no date code, that’s a red flag number one,” she said. “Ninety-nine percent chance it's not an authentic piece.”

3. Beware of outlet goods.

Burks said that outlet bags tend to be of cheaper quality than those sold in boutiques. For Coach bags specifically, the inside tag on the purse will start with the letter F, indicating a "factory" product.

Although technically authentic, she said if you want better quality products, always ask for the "boutique" table in an outlet.