How to Spot Fake Elf Bars

Elf Bar disposables fill a gap in the market. They are slim, aesthetically pleasing, and effective. Each bar typically contains around 600 puffs, but the overall puff count depends on your vaping style.

Convenience is at the heart of these trendsetting vape devices, but it comes at a cost. In recent years, counterfeit products have flooded the vape market and, since Elf Bar disposables have become so popular, they are one of the main targets.

Do Fake Elf Bars Exist?

As the demand for a streamlined, convenient vaping experience has grown, so has the market for counterfeit disposables.

Unscrupulous manufacturers and resellers are flogging counterfeit devices at alarming rates, especially when we consider the health implications. Weak or dangerous batteries are just one of the things that could have a serious impact on your health and your vape experience.

With that in mind, how can you spot fake Elf Bar disposables?

How to Tell Whether Your Elf Bar is Real or Fake

Luckily, there are a number of ways that you can spot a fake device. This is especially true of Elf Bar, which is known for creating high-quality and long-lasting products.

USE THE Verification Tool

The brains behind Elf Bar disposables are so committed to cracking down on counterfeit products that they have devised a way for you to verify your device.

Each Elf Bar product comes with a QR code. You can find the code on the packaging. If it’s not there, that’s your first clue that your device is fake.

When you scan the QR code, you’ll be taken to the Elf Bar website and the verification page.* There you’ll find a box for a verification code. Don’t worry, if you’ve scanned the QR code the box will be pre-filled. If you’ve not used the QR code, you’ll need to search the packaging for the authentication label and scratch it off. Your code is underneath.

Then, just press (or click) ‘verify’. If your Elf Bar is legit, a message will pop up that says ‘The security code you inquired about is correct.’

*Remember, it’s not difficult to create a website that looks legitimate. If you’re unsure about a website, open a new tab, go to the Elf Bar website, and find the verification page yourself. It’s listed under the support section. Then, simply enter the device’s unique verification code.

Find the anti-counterfeit holographic sticker

Elf Bar goes to extreme lengths to separate itself from fake disposables. It has even invested in anti-counterfeiting technology! A real product will have a holographic sticker on the side of the box. The sticker has a few distinct features.

• Anti-stripping design – The sticker has been specifically designed to fragment if someone tries to rip it off. This means that fraudsters can’t reuse stickers from real, premium products.
• Anti-counterfeiting pattern – The background pattern is delicate and intricate, making it very difficult for scammers to replicate.
• Holographic laser security thread with colorless fluorescence – The security thread is difficult for even the most dedicated scammer to recreate.
• Hidden name – Elf Bar has imprinted its name on the holographic sticker. The catch is that it is only visible under fluorescent light! To test this out, just grab a fluorescent light bulb.
• Anti-Counterfeit code – All products sold have a unique identifier assigned to them. The QR code hides a string of numbers that can verify whether your product is real.
• Micro text – Super small, thin text is yet another intricate detail that Elf Bar adds to deter scammers.

Fake devices are unlikely to have this level of detail, but some fraudsters try to replicate the holographic stickers. They might attempt to create the holographic laser security thread, but be unable to achieve a colorless fluorescent finish. Similarly, they might attempt to create thick and thin patterns, but fail to use anything more than ordinary paper.

Scan the EAN Barcode

A genuine Elf Bar will come with an EAN (European Article Numbering Code) code on the box. EAN codes are better known as barcodes, a series of unique letters and numbers that identify key variables. The variables include the type of product and the manufacturer, which is of course essential when trying to identify a genuine Elf Bar.

The EAN code is usually on the side of the box, but if you’ve got a product that has new packaging the placement might be different. Once you’ve found the code, you can go online and use an EAN code scanner.

There should be one single EAN barcode. If there’s more than one, you might have found one of the many fake Elf Bar disposables that have flooded the market.

You might even be able to spot a fake Elf Bar by looking at the placement of the EAN code. As of now, genuine Elf Bar products place the EAN code next to the holographic sticker. Of course, Elf Bar might redesign its packaging!

What Should I Do When I Find a Fake Elf Bar?

Finding fake Elf Bar products is not uncommon, so you might be a victim of this very common scam. When you realize that you have a counterfeit Elf Bar, it is important to follow the right steps.

• Stop using the device immediately. Fake Elf Bars might seem safe to use (even more so if they are only missing one component or sticker) but you don’t know where the product has come from. The e-liquid inside the device might not be safe for human consumption.
• Take video evidence, especially of whichever part of the box or device made you suspicious.
• Let Elf Bar know that you have found a fake one. Leading manufacturers like Elf Bar have processes in place for these situations, so they will be happy to hear from you. Email them at [email protected] and include any evidence you have, along with all the information you can remember. It is a good idea to tell them where you bought the device, so they can investigate and verify whether clones are sold there.
• Elf Bar might ask you to send the device to them for testing, but if they don’t, you need to dispose of it properly. If you had an authentic Elf Bar, we would recommend disassembling and recycling it. But with fake Elf Bars, you never know what might happen. The battery might spark, so it is not worth disassembling it. Just throw it away.

How to Avoid Fake Elf Bars

The best way to avoid fake Elf Bar disposables is to purchase directly from Elf or from reputable retailers. This might be more pricey and time-consuming than buying from your local convenience store, but it means that you can avoid counterfeit versions.

Reputable resellers have lots of health and safety standards to uphold. For regulatory purposes, they can’t sell products that have been tampered with. If they did, they would lose their licenses and face hefty fines.

Where to Buy Authentic Elf Bar Disposables

Elf Bar sells products to master distributors like Mi-Pod. When you buy from well-known master distributors, you can rest assured that you’re getting genuine vaping products. For a wide selection of Elf Bar disposable vapes, visit Mipod.com.

Mi-Pod even has a store locator that shows the nearest place you can buy Elf Bar flavors in person.

Why Should I Care About Fake Elf Bar Disposable Vapes?

When fraudsters take advantage of the technology available to them and create clones, they are scamming customers out of an authentic, high-quality vape experience. The industry has come a long way, and the research that has gone into ergonomic devices and safe, delicious e-liquids should be recognized.

Clone products also spark a huge wave of criticism. The vape community faces backlash from every angle, and it doesn’t need more bad press. Campaign groups are especially worried about young vapers using clone devices. They might be less aware of the signs than more experienced vapers, meaning they are unknowingly using dangerous devices.

Of course, health is another big concern. If you don’t care about using fake goods, then think of your fellow vapers. Shady manufacturers could put any chemicals and compounds into a counterfeit Elf Bar. Whereas legit manufacturers have to follow strict guidelines, manufacturers that fly under the radar can use cheaper ingredients to cut costs.

The bottom line is that fake Elf Bars are dangerous for consumers and for the vape industry as a whole.

Wrapping Up

Thankfully, there are lots of ways to check the validity of your Elf Bar. You can scan the security code, scrutinize the holographic sticker, and analyze the anti-counterfeiting pattern. Now you know how to spot a fake Elf Bar, there is no way that you will fall for the common traps that unregulated, untrustworthy manufacturers use. You can enjoy a genuine Elf Bar and go about your day.

By learning about fraud in the vape industry, you are taking a big step towards being a conscious consumer.

Discover more about the history of the Elf Bar, their models and prices in our article what is an Elf Bar?