Internet sales are set to peak on
Mega Monday, the busiest online shopping day, and Cumbria Trading Standards and
Crimestoppers are warning festive consumers of the dangers of buying
counterfeit Christmas presents.
Online shoppers are expected to spend more than £10.8 billion this December according to analysis carried out on the IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index. More than 8,000 sites have already been identified as selling counterfeit copies of designer brands including Gucci, Adidas and Mulberry bags. Every year UK Border Agency seizes counterfeit goods coming into the country and innocent consumers lose their hard earned cash because they purchased from dodgy websites.
Use the Brand-I website to make sure you use websites authorised to sell branded goods and don’t waste your money on buying fakes. Visit www.brand-i.org/brands.
By following these simple tips you can keep fraudsters at bay this Christmas:
Online shoppers are expected to spend more than £10.8 billion this December according to analysis carried out on the IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index. More than 8,000 sites have already been identified as selling counterfeit copies of designer brands including Gucci, Adidas and Mulberry bags. Every year UK Border Agency seizes counterfeit goods coming into the country and innocent consumers lose their hard earned cash because they purchased from dodgy websites.
Use the Brand-I website to make sure you use websites authorised to sell branded goods and don’t waste your money on buying fakes. Visit www.brand-i.org/brands.
By following these simple tips you can keep fraudsters at bay this Christmas:
- Only
deal with reputable online retailers you know and trust.
- If
the goods cost over £100 consider using a Credit Card as this will give
you additional protection if things go wrong but only use a credit card if
you can afford the repayments.
- Trust
your instincts – if an offer looks too good to believe then there is
usually a catch.
- Ensure
the payment system is secure – there should be a padlock symbol on the
bottom right of the page and the website address should begin with
“https”.
- Check
the URL in the web browser. Don’t be fooled by spoof websites where
the fraudsters slightly change the address.
- Conduct
a “who is“ search online which will tell you where a website is
registered. If the website is registered abroad it may be difficult
or impossible to claim compensation from the seller.
Remember cheapest is not always the best!
If you believe you have been sold counterfeit goods or if you suspect an individual is selling fake items please contact in confidence or anonymously Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 08454 04 05 06 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
For general consumer advice contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 08454 04 05 06 or visit www.adviceguide.org.uk
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