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A young man calling himself Adam, accompanied by an unnamed woman, sold two power bands for $40 to Corinne Beale of Moruya, despite the recommended retail price being $59.95 each.

Power Balance Australia NSW manager Ryan Brustolin says the fake bands are made in China and are of no more than ornamental value, despite being virtually identical to the real thing. They are usually bought on Ebay.

“They are very, very similar but they have no technology in them so they are worth nothing,” he said.

The problem was uncovered when Mrs Beale informed her friend Annette Hermans, who had purchased one from Go Vita Batemans Bay, an authorised retailer, for $59.95, that she had bought two for $40 from someone claiming to be a Power Balance dealer.

“Normally I won’t complain about something like this, but this time the difference was too great,” she said.

“I spoke to Bev Dunn at Go Vita, who I have known for years, and said ‘sorry but I want to complain’.”

Mrs Dunn said that at this price, the bands had to be fake, and when Mrs Beale contacted Power Balance Australia this was found to be so.

Mrs Beale said that “Adam” appeared to be aged around 30, Caucasian, short sandy brown hair, wearing sunglasses and sport-themed casual clothes.

His companion is described as aged in her mid 20s, Caucasian with blonde hair and also with sport-themed casual clothes.

Mr Brustolin said that while this was not an elaborately organized and coordinated operation, there had been similar problems experienced in places such as Sydney, Shellharbour and at Coffs Harbour, where fake dealers were selling bands at the recent University Games.

Mr Brustolin said that, at this stage, the easiest indication that a band is not genuine is the price.

“If they are sold for less than $59.95, then they are likely to be fake,” he said.

Power Balance Australia will soon introduce a seal number on the packaging, which customers can check on the company’s website to tell if it is from an authorised retailer.

The genuine bands are intended to increase the fitness and endurance of sportspeople by balancing their natural energy.

Have you been scammed? Contact Josh Gidney on 4472 6577.