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Don't be fooled this yule, says ACG
Consumers are being warned to be aware of the dangers of fakes and counterfeit gifts during the festive season.
The Anti-Counterfeiting Group (ACG) has issued a warning that international gangs of counterfeiters and pirates will be out in force this Yuletide.
The ACG said shopping extravaganzas are irresistible for “fakers” and they know bargain-hunting shoppers may be very likely to take a chance. They also know that they can use a the Internet during Black Friday and Cyber Monday as it gives them direct access and anonymity in the frantic flurry of festive offers.
“They can operate easily behind sophisticated looking sales sites, using fake trademarks, brands and emblems and even bogus certification labels to entice shoppers into thinking they are buying genuine, safe, products, said the ACG.
“However, the reality is that consumers can often end up with nothing more than cheap tat and increasingly dangerous goods. According to customs authorities across Europe, over 37 per cent of fakes picked up at our borders are now dangerous to consumers,” the leading body warns.
“But this sick trade brings other threats, as criminals continually work to steal our personal details and banking information. We need to be aware that 25 per cent of UK consumers have been attacked during these sales periods, and given access to our data, the criminals will then use our money to fund other menacing crimes, such as drug trafficking, money laundering and child exploitation.”
The ACG understands that 30 per cent of all UK consumers will shop during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales period and it is vital that they are very watchful about any dubious offers.
In addition, the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) reports that almost half a million consumer-related issues were dealt with last year, many of these related to undelivered parcels and fake goods and over 50,000 of these were in November 2018.
Advice offered by the ACG includes checking who you are buying from. If you’re in the high street, go to a reputable store. If you’re online, remember that over 83 per cent of fakes come from China. So, if the website or shipping address looks to be in China or Hong Kong take extra care.
