The proliferation of knock-offs has always been a big concern. While buying cheap knock-offs of clothes or bags might benefit people trying to save money, buying fake gadgets can be dangerous. There have been incidents when fake iPhones and chargers have been the cause of accidents and even death, as evidenced by one sad case in China.

The Counterfeit Report has even warned buyers that when they buy from an online site "and not from an authentic Apple dealer, you risk buying a cheap Chinese knockoff."

And with Apple unveiling new iPhone models on a regular basis, some experts have given tips to consumers on how to spot a fake iPhone.

One of the first things that a consumer should check is the retail box holding the phone. If you purchase an iPhone and it does not come in a box, it is obviously a knock-off or worse, stolen. Bear in mind that Apple pays strict attention to every detail of their product, and that includes the packaging. The material, corner logos and colors should look and feel that they are high quality. Also, most counterfeit products have muted colors when compared to the brightness of the original product. Unfortunately, some counterfeiters sell fake iPhones in a genuine iPhone packaging.

So the next step is to check the phone's serial number. Every iPhone has a unique serial number, which can be found at the back of the phone's box, on the rear of the device or on the official receipt. The buyer can check whether the serial number has been used before or forged by going to Apple's support site and typing in the number.  Apple's Service and Support Checker will confirm if you bought a real iPhone or not.

Another way to check if you're buying an authentic iPhone is to check its operating system. Real iPhones run on iOS while a cloned phone will run an Android OS customized to look like iOS. A quick way of checking is to look for the App Store icon on the main screen and tap on it. If it boots to Google Play then it is undeniably a fake.

One tried and tested sign that you are buying a fake iPhone is the price. If it is being offered at a much cheaper price than the iPhone's retail price then you know you're dealing with a knock-off.

It is always a good idea to familiarize yourself with what an iPhone looks like, down to its volume buttons and base connectors. And try to bring a friend who is using or who has used an iPhone to help make sure that you do not get cheated out of your hard earned money.