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3M Continues to Combat Counterfeit PPE

3M recently collaborated with agents from the U.S. Marshals Service in the Eastern District of Kentucky to halt the sale of more than 1 million suspected counterfeit N95 respirators.

The company was granted a temporary restraining order stopping Old World Timber LLC from selling counterfeit products by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky. The investigation was triggered by potential customers contacting 3M’s fraud hotline to verify the authenticity of masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE) being sold by Old World Timber. After 3M determined the products were fake, the company pursued legal action.

3M has seized more than 41 million counterfeit N95 respirators since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The company has investigated more than 14,000 fraud reports to its hotlines and has filed 36 lawsuits to prevent the trafficking of counterfeit PPE. 3M has pledged to donate all monetary damages and settlement penalties to COVID-19 related charities.

About 3M
With global sales of US$33 billion, 3M is a leading producer of thousands of products ranging from chemicals, filtration systems, and safety and protection equipment to office, graphics, and health care equipment. For more information, visit www.3m.com.