With Christmas nearing us, the public are being warned to be aware of some of the most common fake goods – make-up, toys, clothes, alcohol and electrical goods, all of which can be of bad quality and in most cases unsafe.
Counterfeit electrical goods are not put through the same vigorous safety checks as legitimate items and are often very dangerous. Missing and poor-quality components can lead to electric shocks, fires and explosions.
Top tips to help you avoid buying counterfeit goods
- Trust your instincts – if an offer looks too good to be true, then it probably is. Legitimate designer items are rarely discounted, so do not rush and be fooled into believing you are getting a good deal.
- Check the spelling and grammar on the website and its URL – often the people behind these sites do not pay a lot of attention or care to this detail. Fraudsters may also try to deceive you by slightly changing the spelling of a well-known brand or shop in the website address.
- Look to see where the trader is based and whether they provide a postal address – just because the web address may state ‘UK’, do not assume the seller is based in the UK. If there is no address supplied or there is just a PO Box or email address, be wary.
- If you are buying through a website, ensure the website address begins with ‘https’ at the payment stage – this indicates a secure payment. Ask the trader if there is a returns policy or guarantee. Most rogue traders will not offer this.
What to do if you are a victim of counterfeit fraud
If you purchased an item you believed to be genuine but now believe it may be counterfeit you can report it to Action Fraud or call 0300 123 2040.
You can also contact the Citizens Advice consumer advice helpline on 08454 04 05 06 or visit the Citizens Advice website for more information.
What to do if you believe someone is selling counterfeit items
If you suspect someone to be involved in the sale or trade of counterfeit items, you can report this anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.