Christmas shoppers are being warned about the dangers of fake goods during the festive shopping season.

Southend Council and Trading Standards officers have teamed up to warn people across the borough that they should be vigilant when buying gifts this season.

UK Consumers will spend around £25billion this Christmas, providing criminals with opportunities to cash in. 

The scale of organised intellectual property crime and counterfeiting in the UK is estimated to be at least £100million every year. Dodgy imports aimed at Christmas shoppers have already been intercepted by Customs at UK ports, and will continue to do so.


The Council’s Trading Standards team are reminding consumers that:

  • Counterfeit make-up may contain lead, copper, mercury, arsenic or cadmium, causing swelling, rashes and poisoning. 
  • Fake alcohol may contain methanol, antifreeze and fuel, causing nausea, stomach pains, kidney or liver problems, coma or death.
  • Unsafe toys and children's dressing-up clothes can pose numerous hazards with small loose parts, long cords and materials that are toxic or not conforming to fire retardant standards.
  • Poor quality and missing components in fake electrical goods and chargers can lead to electric shocks, fires and explosions. Southend Trading Standards have seized unsafe electrical items.


Websites offering brand named goods at unbelievable prices should be avoided - they're likely to be fake. If you are after a particular designer item, check with: http://www.brand-i.org/ which will show if a website is the official online store for that brand. It also gives hints and tips to shopping safely online.


Mark Flewitt, councillor for Public Protection, says: “While a cheap deal on the must-have gift may seem appealing, it may be a false economy with frightening consequences. There is usually a reason why products are well below the retail price, so please buy with care and avoid dangerous fakes at all costs – the results could be tragic.

“Whether you have nearly finished your Christmas shopping or you may be one of the many who leave it to the last minute but either way it is also important that you know your shopping rights as this may save you a lot of hassle and avoid being caught out.”


Consumer shopping rights this Christmas.

  • All goods you buy must be of satisfactory quality, as described, and fit for their intended purpose. If they aren't don’t delay, act quickly and notify or return items to the seller as soon as possible.
  • Keep receipts as this makes returning faulty goods a lot easier as you can show when and where you purchased the item from and the price paid.
  • Just because you don’t like something it doesn’t mean you have the right to a refund or exchange. Check with the seller prior to purchase what their exchange and refund policy is.
  • Buying presents online: Generally, you can cancel orders for goods any time from ordering up to 14 days after receiving them - this doesn’t mean you can try the goods for free and then return them!
  • If you decide to cancel, online retailers are obliged to refund the full cost plus the original delivery charge within 14 days of receiving the goods back although you may have to pay to return them.
  • Be careful when buying from online auction sites, or online classified advertisements, especially 'bargains' at unrealistically low prices. They may turn out to be counterfeit or poor quality goods. Buy from reputable businesses that you know and trust.
  • If you want to be sure of receiving an item in time for Christmas make sure this is documented on the order otherwise you may have little or no rights if it turns up late!

If the item costs over £100 use a Credit Card as this will give greater protection should something go wrong. However, make sure you can afford the repayments.

Follow the Trading Standards Team on Twitter - @southendTS
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