5 ways to spot counterfeit goods this Christmas
Though most of us can't grant our children everything on their Christmas lists, we do our best to make sure they don't miss out. With high prices and the fear of shortages this December, we're all looking for the best possible deals so that 'Santa' can pull through with some high-demand toys.
Buying a fake isn’t only a waste of money, it can also be dangerous. Last year, the British Toy and Hobby Association (BTHA) found that almost half of toys sold on third-party sites like eBay and Amazon were unsafe for children. The dangers they identified ranged from posing a high risk of choking to having been made using unsafe quantities of chemicals.
The thought of buying a potentially dangerous counterfeit product won't sit comfortably with any of us. But it can be hard to distinguish a ‘real’ product from a ‘fake’ one. To make it easier, look out for these tell-tale signs to help you spot counterfeit products.
Search for spelling errors
According to the BTHA, sellers of counterfeit goods are unlikely to be based within the EU. As a result, spelling errors may occur in product descriptions, so this can be a sign of counterfeit products.
If you’re on a third-party website, rather than an online market place, also check for spelling errors in the URL. This can also sometimes be an indicator of a scam website.
Compare against the manufacturer's website
Buying a branded pair of trainers or a designer handbag on an online marketplace? Check the product you’re looking at against the manufacturer's official website. Signs that indicate a product could be a counterfeit include:
Not being able to find the identical product on the manufacturer's official site.
Differences in design.
Different product descriptions. Look for what materials the product is made from and its dimensions.
A significant difference in price.
Price is often a clue when it comes to counterfeit goods. If it looks too good to be true, then it probably is!
Be wary of third-party sites
You may see a product you like the look of on social media and then click through to view it. Remember, just because the link is on a legitimate website doesn’t mean the product will be authentic. If your click-through takes you to an online marketplace, anyone could be selling on there.
When browsing online marketplaces, always check reviews. "The internet can provide buyers with great opportunities in terms of choice and convenience. However, at the same time, they must be wary and only buy from reliable sources to ensure quality and safety," cautions David MacKenzie of the Chartered Trading Standards Institute. "Sub-standard electrical products can be hazardous, and Trading Standards advice to shoppers is to do their homework before buying; check a trader out online and read any reviews. If you’re not fully satisfied, don’t buy from them."
You should also look for where the seller is based. If it is abroad, ask yourself, will it be easy to get in touch with them if anything goes wrong? It could make returning items more expensive, too. Make sure you’re happy what you’re being sold is legitimate before you commit to buying.
If you find yourself on a third-party website, the protocol is similar. Look for reviews and whether the company is registered in the UK. Look for contact information, too. A lack of information or a personal email address should be treated with caution.
You can also check whether the site is secure by looking at the URL. A URL beginning with ‘HTTPS’ is secure as it is encrypted, meaning no-one can access your passwords or bank details. As a rule of thumb, don’t give information to a site which has a URL beginning with ‘HTTP’, as your connection will not be secure.
Pay attention to electrical goods
Last year, Electrical Safety First tested 15 electrical products from three major online marketplaces and found a shocking 14 of these failed to meet UK safety standards.
The charity warns it’s not just counterfeit goods to be wary of. It had previously put out a warning to people buying certain models of Whirlpool tumble-dryers online. Certain Whirlpool models had to be recalled, due to a fire risk, but people could still be unknowingly buying faulty models on online marketplaces or through third-party sellers.
Before buying an electrical product, even if you have proof it’s authentic and not a counterfeit, use Electrical Safety First’s Product Recall Tool to check the product you wish to buy does not have a recall notice or safety alert.
Report it
If you unknowingly end up buying a counterfeit product, you should report it to Trading Standards as quickly as possible so it can investigate. If you have bought from an online marketplace, make sure to report the seller.
It’s also important to know what your consumer rights are. If an item arrives and is not as described, you are entitled to a full refund.
However, this can be tricky where counterfeit goods are concerned, as the sellers are often scammers who are not easy to contact. If you have bought a product on an online marketplace, complain first to the seller. If you get no result from this, ask your card provider or Paypal for a refund, depending on how you paid.
The same applies to third-party websites. If you get no result from contacting the site directly, ask your payment card provider about chargeback. You should also report the site to Trading Standards and Action Fraud. Just be aware, these organisations cannot reimburse you.
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