Counterfeit goods

What are counterfeit goods?

Fake goods are illegal copies of products, and are also known as 'counterfeit' or 'pirated' goods.  Counterfeit products take many forms, including clothing, DVDs, perfume and jewellery. Car parts, tyres, tools, electrical goods, batteries and children's toys are also copied.

These products may seem like a bargain or you may be unfortunate enough to have been duped into paying the retail price for what you believed was a genuine item.  

Why shouldn't you buy counterfeit goods?

Counterfeit products may be poor quality, faulty or unsafe to use. Sales of fake goods can fund organised crime, such as drug dealing, human trafficking and prostitution. They can also provide an additional, undeclared income to benefit cheats.

How to spot them

Price, place and packaging are all indicators of whether something is genuine, and supermarkets, well-known retailers and brand-name websites are much less likely to sell fakes. But a vast range of products for sale in the street, in temporary shops, markets or online could be counterfeit.

Read our tips on how to spot counterfeit goods.

How to report counterfeit goods

If you require advice or want to make a complaint and would like a response, please contact a consumer helpline advisor on 08454 04 05 06.

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