Avoid a counterfeit Christmas

“If it seems too good to be true - it probably is” - That is the warning from UK Border Agency and Trading Standards officers as they launch a warning to shoppers over counterfeit goods in the run up to Christmas.

Fake UGG Boots, GHD hair straighteners, iPhones and iPads, designer clothes and Hello Kitty products are amongst the thousands of counterfeit items seized by the agency's officers in recent months. For that reason they're asking festive shoppers to be careful about what they buy and where they buy it from.

Grant Miller, from the UK Border Agency's Heathrow international trade division, said: “Cheap counterfeits undercut honest traders and leave shoppers with goods that are at best inferior to genuine products and, at worst, harmful or unsafe.

“We are uncovering all sorts of fake goods, from beauty products to children's toys, and we're warning people to be particularly wary of buying cheap items online or from unofficial traders.

“It's easy to be tricked into thinking you're getting a bargain, but in the run-up to Christmas our message is that if something appears too good to be true it probably is.”
Ron Gainsford, the Trading Standards Institute's chief executive said: “In this difficult economic climate money is tight for many of us, but there could be a high price to pay for bargain presents that aren't the real deal.

'”Trading standards are working hard with other authorities to stop criminals ruining consumers' festive spirit as millions of low-quality and potentially dangerous counterfeit products are flooding the country in time for Christmas, particularly in markets, car boot sales and online.

“The external appearance and packaging of electrical goods such as chargers and hair straighteners may be copied fairly well, but the internal composition and materials are likely to be substandard and could make the item very dangerous. Similarly toys, jewellery, alcohol and cigarettes might look the part but could turn out to be toxic. 

“Check, double check and check again to make sure what you are buying and where you are buying from is the real deal.”