Devon shoppers warned as fake goods surge in final days before Christmas

Shoppers using the last few days before Christmas to finish off gift-buying for family and friends are being warned to watch out for crucial signs of fake goods.

Devon’s trading standards team has urged consumers to ask themselves whether sought-after items being sold for irresistible prices in the final days before Christmas are legitimate.

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With buyers trying to navigate the cost-of-living crisis, it can be hard to resist a knock-down bargain, but purchasing such items could mean supporting those selling unsafe or illegal products.

“Everyone is feeling the pinch at this time of year as wages don’t seem to be keeping pace with inflation, so everyone is looking for a bargain,” said Rob Huskisson, group manager at the Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service, which covers Devon and other counties.

“But the key thing is, if it looks too good to be true, then it probably is.”

Speaking exclusively to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Mr Huskisson said items being sold well below usual prices could be fake, cheap for a reason, or even stolen.

“People should think about where they are buying things from, and consider if there is a problem with an item they’re purchasing, whether they will be able to return it,” he said.

“If taking it back is going to be difficult, then maybe you need to think about where you’re buying from, and you should always ask for a receipt – either a physical one or one via email.”

Labubu dolls and toy safety

Mr Huskisson said there had been a major spike in counterfeit goods over the summer related to Labubu dolls, which he described as a “big thing”.

“The genuine product was fine, but the counterfeit ones would have the hands and feet come off easily, and the hair come loose as well, meaning the fake ones were not safe products,” he said.

“But the difference was obvious,” he added. “When you put a real one next to a counterfeit one, it was obvious they were different.”

Watch out for cheap eats

Beyond products, Mr Huskisson also urged consumers to beware of food labelling, both in terms of provenance and allergens.

He said that in the past year his team had worked with local butchers and found a “worrying number of butchers making local claims that are not substantiated”.

“We do encourage people to purchase locally if possible, but what we have been finding is that some butchers are saying products are locally supplied when the product comes from somewhere else,” he said.

“There is a concern over the provenance of some beef, lamb and pork. Meat is expensive, and good quality product especially so, meaning people will look to cut corners.”

However, he said poor allergen labelling was of greater concern.

“A large number of people have some form of food allergy and rely on accurate labelling of food products to ensure their safety,” he said.

“There have been a number of national cases where products have been purchased and seriously hurt people, or ultimately led to them passing away.”

Mr Huskisson noted that particular issues arise when producers combine bought-in ingredients to make new products. If labelling is poor or not properly checked, this can lead to problems later on.

Not just market stalls

Mr Huskisson said the stereotype of illicit goods only being sold at market stalls did not match his experience, adding that “lots of market traders are very honest”.

That said, a Trading Standards operation earlier this year seized a major haul of counterfeit goods from Cheddar market, including 337 bottles of perfume from brands such as Gucci, Versace, Dior, Chanel and Hugo Boss, as well as 331 items of clothing from brands including The North Face, Adidas, Nike and Lacoste.

“We have issues with some markets, but we also have issues with bricks-and-mortar shops too,” he said. “Criminality occurs across multiple channels, whether that’s shops, markets or online.”

So far this year, around 250,000 fake toys have been seized at the border nationally, a large proportion of which were Labubu dolls.

Many toys tested by Border Force fail safety checks because they contain harmful chemicals or loose parts that present a choking hazard.

Toys sold in the UK should carry a CE or UKCA mark and clearly state the age range they are intended for, although Mr Huskisson warned such markings can be forged.

Other warning signs include poor-quality packaging, blurred or unclear writing, spelling mistakes, or weak construction. For plush or furry toys, buyers are advised to check the seams to see if they come apart easily or if hair comes loose.

If an item has been imported, details of a UK-based importer or manufacturer should also be provided.

Mr Huskisson said Trading Standards recently had children’s flip-flops tested and found some contained high levels of phthalates.

“The soles of people’s feet are quite susceptible to those, as you are standing on a piece of plastic that is rubbing against the underside of the foot,” he said.

“Potentially dangerous chemicals can migrate, and phthalates can be cancer-causing, so there are strict requirements for plastics that come into contact with the feet.”

What shoppers can do

Anyone who realises a toy they have purchased is fake should return it with proof of purchase. Return timeframes vary, but are typically between 14 and 28 days.

Shoppers can also leave reviews on the seller’s website and, if necessary, report concerns to Citizens Advice.

The Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service gathers intelligence from these reports, as well as from other sources including Action Fraud.

“We use a police intelligence operating model to direct our resources,” Mr Huskisson said.

“If we get reports of imminent risk of harm, then we will take action as soon as we are able. Where there is significant economic harm to consumers and legitimate businesses, we will act to try and tackle it.”

Taking action

Mr Huskisson acknowledged his team receives “more reports than we can deal with”, following significant funding cuts, but said action is taken against the most serious cases.

He said offenders generally fall into two categories: those who unknowingly buy counterfeit or unsafe goods from overseas suppliers, and organised criminals.

In the first case, Trading Standards aims to support traders and guide them towards resolving issues with suppliers. More serious offenders can face prosecution, with custodial sentences possible, although sentencing decisions rest with the courts.