ST. CLAIRSVILLE, Ohio -- An agency confiscated more than 1,000 items from a local business after it claimed the items were counterfeit.

The Trademark Enforcement Agency served a cease and desist order to Variety Imports inside the Ohio Valley Mall on Friday morning.

Tim Richisson, president of the Trademark Enforcement Agency, said his company, which specializes in hunting down counterfeit goods, confiscated merchandise from a woman who was selling them in a kiosk in the mall.

"There were counterfeit purses,” said Richisson. “…and wallets and jewelry. We think she probably sold thousands of purses there."

Richisson told NEWS9 when his agency arrived on scene, there was a line of people waiting to buy goods from Variety Imports.

He said many times consumers tip off his agency after they buy a fake good because the items don’t tend to last long.

There are ways that you can tell if you’re buying a fake luxury good.

Richisson said you should make sure you are buying the item from a legitimate retailer.

He also said be sure to take a close look at the brand logo.

The most important check you can do, according to Richisson, is to look at the overall quality of the product.

He said most counterfeit items tend to fall apart in a couple of weeks.

Richisson said while someone who buys a fake product can't get in trouble unless they resell it, you're better off staying away from them.

"It's a $600 billion a year worldwide problem,” said Richisson. “It hurts cities where legitimate products are being sold because there is no tax revenue from it."

Richisson told NEWS9 after he served the owner of Variety Imports with a cease and desist order, she was not arrested.

He said that will be up to police if she will be charged.

The Ohio Department of Taxation was also on scene investigating, but Belmont County sheriff's deputies wouldn’t say why that department was there.

Natalie Pasquarella, NEWS9 For more local news, click here