Gifts including Ugg Boots, ghd hair straighteners and Links of London jewellery are not always as they seem, while items like fake electrical goods could even be dangerous as they’re unlikely to have been through the same rigorous safety checks as ‘the real deal’.
A YouGov* survey recently carried out for the charity Crimestoppers has revealed that three-in-ten adults have purchased something believing it was authentic, only to find out later on that it was indeed a fake.
Assistant director Grant Miller from the UK Border Agency’s International Trade Division at Heathrow commented: “Many of us are looking to get a bargain over the festive period, but counterfeit goods are often dangerous and the proceeds can be used to fuel serious organised crime.”
Fakes also cheat British taxpayers, of course, while at the same time undercutting honest businesses.
“UK Border Agency officers work tirelessly to stop counterfeit goods from getting in to the country, and are highly trained to spot fakes,” said Miller. “My message to the public is straightforward: if something appears too good to be true, it probably is.”
Dodgy or deluxe?
It’s not always easy to spot a fake. Some of the pictures (right) are fake products that UK Border Agency officers have detected at the border.
The UK Border Agency has devised a pictorial line-up of this year’s most popular Christmas gifts to see if shoppers can spot the fakes from the real goods. An online version of the quiz is available on the Home Office website (click the dedicated link on the right hand panel of this page to ‘sit the exam’!)
Read these quick and easy tips below so you don’t get fooled this Christmas…
Top tips for spotting a fake
Lower prices
To tempt you into buying their products, counterfeiters often sell fakes at lower prices than originals would be sold for.
Poor quality
Check the quality of products carefully before buying them, inspect the item fully including the seams and the logo on clothing, the plugs and cables on electric goods and the packaging it comes in.
Check the official website
If you are considering buying a product check out the brands’ official website first. Many brands have detailed advice on their websites to help customers to spot fake versions of their products.
Use authorised dealers
If you are buying online use an authorised dealer, you can usually check on the brands’ websites to make sure the place you are buying from is legitimate.
Trust your instincts
If a product seems too good to be true, it probably is!
Anyone who suspects that someone is dealing in counterfeit goods should call the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org
The UK Border Agency is a 25,000-strong organisation with staff operating in 135 countries. The role of the UK Border Agency is to:
UK Border Agency officers operate 24 hours a day at ports, airports and mail sorting centres to prevent counterfeit goods hitting the UK’s streets, where they can be bought by unsuspecting members of the public.
As well as attempting to avoid duty and VAT, unscrupulous importers also put consumers at risk from potentially dangerous, unregulated products.
Last year, Heathrow-based UK Border Agency officers were given an award by the Anti-Counterfeiting Group (a worldwide Trade Association) for their work in combating black market fakes.
For more information visit the website (a dedicated link can be found on the right hand panel of this page)
*The YouGov plc total sample size was 2,103 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 20-23 August this year, and the survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+)
