Counterfeits or ‘fakes' are items that have been branded or labelled with genuine Trade Marks but are actually not made by that business. You might think of ‘counterfeits’ in terms of well-known designer labels being applied to clothing, perfumes and makeup or perhaps sportswear branded using the logo of a major football club, but actually counterfeits have found their way into large parts of the consumer market, some of which pose serious safety risks. For example, counterfeit technologies such as electrical devices, batteries and chargers have led to many house fires and pose the risk of electric shock and burns; counterfeit toys have been found to contain toxic plastics, and counterfeit alcohol that has been found to contain dangerous chemicals used for industrial cleaning.
The best indicator is price. Generally they are much cheaper than the genuine products would be.
Another tell-tale sign can be the retailer. Are they the type of reputable trader that would have been licensed by the business to sell their branded products? Is the retailer based in the UK or is it a direct import from overseas? Counterfeits are quite often direct imports from overseas. A co.uk address does not necessarily mean the company is based in the UK.
Look at reviews before you buy. What are other customer saying about the quality of the products once they receive them?
And once you have received your purchase, you will usually be able to tell from the quality of the product. With clothing the logos are likely to flake or discolour in the wash. Products may shrink or fade, and will generally feel cheap. Dyes may leave marks on your furniture. With perfumes and aftershaves, they may be watered down causing the smell to fade quickly, or may contain chemicals that make your skin burn or itch. Counterfeit makeup may cause a similar reaction. With electrical items, check it is CE or UKCA marked. It should have a three pin plug unless it is a shaver or toothbrush and once in use, look out for signs such as chargers overheating.
If you have any concerns about a product you’ve bought, contact the Trade Mark holder who should be able to identify whether it is a genuine product made by them.
If you would like to report someone you suspect is making or selling counterfeits (fake goods), contact the Citizens Advice Consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133. This information will be shared with Trading Standards and if further information is required they will contact you further. Alternatively you can contact Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111. You can remain anonymous if you wish.
The main law relating to counterfeiting is the Trade Marks Act 1994. However, many of the counterfeits also pose serious safety risks, which amount to breaches of safety legislation such as the General Product Safety Regulations 2005, The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016, Plugs and Sockets Regulations 1994, and Toy (Safety) Regulations 2011.
There’s lots more information and advice available on the Crime Stoppers Website. Visit There’s a lot at stake when you buy fake | Crimestoppers (crimestoppers-uk.org)
