Our top tips for spotting counterfeit goods to avoid being conned this Christmas — plus find out how to win £10,000
NINE billion pounds worth of counterfeit gear floods into the UK each year, according to a government watchdog – and Christmas is a peak time for shoppers to be conned.
Facebook and Instagram are among the worst sites for flogging the dodgy gear, the National Trading Standards warned.
The sites often fail to remove links to sham websites selling bogus electricals and low-quality fakes based on posh brands such as Louis Vuitton and Rolex.
So how can you tell the real designer goods from the fake? Here is what to watch out for.
- Check the logo. Counterfeiters often include a tiny change so they can claim they haven't directly copied it.
- For fashion items, check the quality. Does the material feel genuine or heavy enough?
On accessories such as shoes and bags, are the buckles and rivets shiny or have they already lost some of their gleam? - Does the price seem too good to be true? Then it’s likely to be a fake.
- Shopping online? If you haven’t heard of the website, check out trusted online reviews.
It is also a good idea, if you see a new website that looks like it has good deals, to wait for two weeks then go back to see if the site is still up. Many counterfeit sites only run for a couple of weeks in order to run a swift con. - Check the delivery time. If your item takes a couple of weeks to be shipped, it could be being produced in a factory of fakes. Real designer items usually take under a week to arrive.
- Ask the brand. Check if the seller is legitimate or not by using the brand’s customer services. If they are fake, the brand may be able to help you find the real deal.
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Readers tip
MARGARET JELLEY, from Newcastle, says: “Don’t waste surplus conditioner from home hair dyes. It makes great fabric conditioner.”
- Send us your tips to [email protected] and you’ll get 28 codes worth £5 if your tip is used. Please include your name and town.
Jane's tip
BOX clever. The latest craze is to give your kids a “Christmas Eve box” of goodies as a festive warm-up. Buy this one from Asda for just £2.50 – that’s £1.50 less than Matalan and £12.50 cheaper than the John Lewis version.
- PRICES correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.
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COLLECT TEN Sun Savers codes from the 18 printed in The Sun between Saturday, November 18 and Tuesday, December 5, 2017.
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