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There are a lot of counterfeit memory cards around.  The counterfeit memory cards generally were made in low quality or with labels of high speed cards on low speed cards.  There will be a disaster if you took a lot of nice pictures on your trip and lost the data on the fake memory cards.  

The question is how do you avoid fake cards and How do you identify the fake cards?

• To avoid fake cards, You should buy the memory cards from reputable stores such as J&R, B&H, Newegg.com, RadioShack, Costco or Adorama.  These stores normally get memory cards from reliable suppliers and the quality is guaranteed.  Also, the prices from these stores are competitive.

• To identify the counterfeit cards, 

1. Check  the package, the fake cards normally have a shabby package.
2. Have a close look at the card, edge to edge and  see if it was made in good quality.
3. Put the card in your camera and see if it can be put in and take out easily.
4. Check the read and write speed of the card in question and compare with other cards you have

I once bought a fake card.  This “ultra San Disk Ultra 2G card” is significant cheaper than the one sold on Amazon (first alarm).  After I got it the package was very shabby (second alarm).  The speed is slow.  When the check card closely, I found the patent number on the card is the same as the CF card I bought before, not the patent number of San Disk ultra cards.  So I returned it for a refund!

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