Consumers warned over fake goods
Stirling and Clackmannanshire Councils Joint Trading Standards Service are warning consumers about the danger of buying fake goods.
The Councils are working closely with colleagues in other authorities as well as trade organisations such as the Anti-Counterfeiting Group which campaigns tirelessly to raise awareness of the risks involved.
The Anti-Counterfeiting Group provide Trading Standards with information and advice on a wide range of products which have been counterfeited and supplied nationally and some of which the Stirling and Clackmannanshire Council Joint Trading Standards Service have found locally.
Brian Wilson, Trading Standards Officer with the Stirling and Clackmannanshire Councils Joint Trading Standards Service, explained: "We all love a bargain, but increasing numbers of goods on sale, particularly in markets and from auction sites on the Internet, should be bought with care, or avoided."
Brian advises: "The price, place and packaging of goods are all indicators of whether something is genuine, or whether you may be at risk. Supermarkets, well-known retailers and brand name or familiar retail websites are much less likely to sell fakes. But a vast range of products for sale in the street, in markets or in cyberspace could well be counterfeit, and very dangerous."
Some of the potential counterfeit goods highlighted as dangerous by Trading Standards are:
- FRAGRANCES: Counterfeit perfume can often burn your skin or leave you with a nasty rash.
- SUNGLASSES: Sunglasses are seen as an easy target by counterfeiters, as consumers are attracted by the promise of 'designer' versions at 'bargain' prices.
- CIGARETTES: As fake cigarettes are not subject to any regulations, they often contain excessive levels of tar and nicotine, presenting an increased risk to smokers.
- DANGERS FOR CHILDREN: Among the dangerous fakes in circulation are toys coated with paint with high levels of lead; fakes with detachable parts that could choke a small child; counterfeit soft toys with poor stitching so the eyes and stuffing fall out; children's clothes, especially pyjamas and T-shirts, which may be inflammable.
- FAKE PHARMACEUTICALS: In January 2008, research showed that more than 2 million people in the UK buy prescription medicines over the Internet without knowing if the online pharmacy or the medicines are legitimate, and almost a third of these medicines are counterfeit.
- HOUSEHOLD GOODS, FOODSTUFFS & ALCOHOL: Counterfeiters worldwide now make every conceivable household product, without safety tests or quality controls, including sweets, baby food, instant coffee, chewing gum and - incredibly - even olive oil.
- FAKE DISPOSABLE RAZORS: Disposable razors have been found with blades so blunt and damaged that they have caused serious facial abrasions when used, once removed from the apparently genuine packaging, which carries a famous brand name.
- POWER TOOLS: Many fake tools are imported from the Far East with faulty wiring, no operating instructions, plastic internal parts instead of metal, no warranty and no spares when the tools' primary drive gears soon fail.
- MOBILE PHONES/ACCESSORIES/BATTERIES: There have been actual cases where fake mobile phone batteries have exploded e.g. when the phone is dropped. Poor quality accessories such as earphones can damage hearing when in long-term use.
- FAKE LIGHTERS: Fake lighters from China appeared in Scotland in summer 2007, with a faulty flame control mechanism. The company, which makes the genuine lighters, promptly issued warnings via its UK distributor.
- SOAP: The fake soap had not been safety tested and some ingredients used in such counterfeit products can affect eyesight, or harm the skin so that allergies are created, preventing future use of genuine versions of the product.
Trading Standards Officer, Brian Wilson advises: "Be wary of products with low quality packaging, no logo, or misspelled brand names. Again, the biggest warning sign is the vendor. Distrust the man on the street promising a bargain, or the auction site selling many different brands. Never buy sight unseen, always buy from a trustworthy source."
Stirling and Clackmannanshire Councils Joint Trading Standards Service can be contacted during normal office hours on 0845 277 7000, or email tradingstandards@stirling.gov.ukor in person at the Municipal Buildings, 8-10 Corn Exchange Road, Stirling, FK8 2HU.