More crap to worry about: counterfeit automotive parts

So you've heard of those fake-ass Louis Vuitton handbags and Rolex watches and bootleg DVDs dubbed off of camera phones, right? Well now your car parts may be counterfeit as well, and the danger is much greater than just being exposed as a fraud at an important cocktail party. A counterfeit brake pad may not use the right kind of heat-treated metal found in the genuine article and therefore will not stop as well or may even fail under stress. If you're unsure of the authenticity of a product you're using, contact the manufacturer immediately. The global toll of counterfeiting is estimated to be half a trillion dollars, and it is thought that most money made from counterfeit parts feeds organized crime activities. But you didn't hear that from me. And if you tell anyone you'll be wearing a cement overcoat in no time, capiche?