How to identify a fake micro SD card?

LPresence on 25/06/2017 - 12:13
Last edited 25/06/2017 - 12:14

Hi,

I bought a 128GB micro SD card off an online seller and it wouldn't work for me. It had very slow write speeds and it froze after transferring less than 10GB of data. I tried on multiple computers, multiple card readers and multiple phones (S7 and Moto G5). I suspected it was a fake and ran numerous tests that suggested i was right.

I sent it back to the seller and they have denied its a fake and say theres nothing wrong. They are refusing to refund me. I know the card i sent them doesnt work, i suspect they'll send me a genuine back to cover their tracks. In the meantime i had to purchase another from an actual store since i couldn't wait, so i dont really want the original (or its replacement) back.

Any advice? I have not yet tried a paypal claim or chargeback. I want to be 100% sure i am correct.
Here is an album of photos and screenshots https://imgur.com/a/ODQIi

Its not the money that worries me, its the fact that a dodgy business (that is regularly mentioned and recommend here) is scamming people.

Thanks.

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 25/06/2017 - 12:19

    I wouldn't exactly jump up and down and say fake
    Check the serial number on the packet and card before you accuse the seller
    Dodgy card? Possibly, it does happen and most likely the case here
    I've bought heaps of those cards in that EXACT packet and they have been flawless
    Who is to say the data you copied to the card possibly corrupted it when the transfer locked up
    Transferring huge data over a usb cable is crazy and you are better off with a proper card reader

    Just remember also the USB Bus has a limit, if you put it into a USB 1 / 2 Port then 10mb/s could be a port limitation not the card the seller sent you
    I have seen these cards before and they have been flawless

    Possibly a dud card but fake, nah too many factors here

  • Presence on 25/06/2017 - 12:47

    Thanks, I agree with you there but i did exactly the same with the new card i bought in a store and it all worked flawlessly, or else i wouldn't be so sure.

    How can i check if the serial is real?

  • stalker878 on 25/06/2017 - 13:37
    +2

    when the card is new, check capacity. 128gb should only have ~119gb available to use.
    fake will have 125gb.
    google barcode, it will most likely correspond to a 32gb model.
    If u use sd insight or any other apps to look into the micro sd info, it will show manufacturer invalid as oppose to the corresponding brand.

    recently bought a fake too!
    eBay seller pretended to say he didn't know. but promptly refunded me the money without asking back for the goods. I sent a complain to eBay but he is still selling on ebay.com.au saying au stock. his goods came from China.

  • stalker878 on 25/06/2017 - 13:40

    the card in the pic looks genuine. capacity is right. edges are white (fakes are not painted ie black).

    how much was it? which seller? I might buy one too.

    • Presence on 25/06/2017 - 15:43

      I messaged you, dont want to name and shame just yet.

  • [Deactivated] on 25/06/2017 - 14:38

    You could try profiling it using a memory tester. It should write the entire amount too.

    • Presence on 25/06/2017 - 14:50

      Problem is i already sent it back, i only have the photos and screenshots attached :(

      I cant win this argument because IF it was a fake to begin with they'll just send me a genuine one now.

      • stalker878 on 25/06/2017 - 15:28

        then u have a genuine card to use!

        • Presence on 25/06/2017 - 15:36

          I don't need it though. I already purchased another since i needed it ASAP and couldnt wait for this seller to sort their shit out. The one they sent me defs didnt work, genuine or not.

  • jutsu on 25/06/2017 - 15:32

    The EU and US versions contain an extra adapter but I don't know if it's the same for the Chinese market.
    By the way, what's written on the back of the microSD? If there is no writing, it's clearly a fake and it's only worth a few $…

    It's difficult to know if the microSD is genuine or not without testing the speed and the capacity as there are many "HQ" fake versions (with adapter and writing).

    Be careful, they can also keep your money and resell the card (or send another fake microSD).

    • Presence on 25/06/2017 - 15:43

      Theres nothing written on the back of the card.

  • KaTst3R on 25/06/2017 - 15:43

    There is a possibility it is a fake. On the packaging label, it says manufactured in Korea but the serial number ends with CN (this is one of the tell tale sign). At the back of the SD card itself, it should say Made In Korea if it is genuine.

  • altomic on 25/06/2017 - 17:21

    was that a really cheap card off ebay? ~$20?

    link where you bought it from

    • Presence on 25/06/2017 - 17:24
      +1

      $64.71 from ShoppingSquare

      • jutsu on 25/06/2017 - 20:12

        ShoppingSquare is owned by Zapals, a famous chinese reseller.

      • Master Bates on 25/06/2017 - 21:08

        Interesting, both the 32GB and 64GB versions of the Evo Plus I bought from them were legit.

    • stalker878 on 25/06/2017 - 17:41

      mine was $64 from another au eBay seller that claims his products are genuine au stock.

  • Yummy on 25/06/2017 - 17:52
    +2

    Next time, get this app "SD Insight" for Android. You can check any MicroSD card if they are fake or not.

  • Geoffw on 26/06/2017 - 09:58
    +1

    There have been many fake cards on sale before. Chinese companies can take a small capacity card and overwrite the info to make it look like a large capacity card - and you only find out when you can't take photos. I've actually had money refunded without me asking, obviously it was a dodgy company. So I suspect that you won't have trouble with eBay/PayPal.

  • giventofly on 19/07/2017 - 12:56

    Thanks for this post. Another reason for me to avoid ShoppingSquare.

  • anzacpaul on 08/08/2017 - 15:01

    Hmm interesting. The Toshiba i bought from Shopping Square was legit, and i've just ordered a Samsung 64gb card from them..

    Will definitely test it when it arrives.

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