Counterfeit warning for online shoppers
Scots shoppers planning to purchase Christmas pre - sents online are being told to beware of counterfeit goods.
Many consumers are expected to shun the high streets when choosing gifts this year because of coronavirus restrictions.
But online shopping comes with a warning, according to Rachel Jones of brand protection agency Snapdragon.
“It is difficult to tell which are the products being sold by a real manufacturer and a fake,” she said.
Shoppers are being warned to be aware of the dangers of counterfeit goods sold online, as more people are set to buy their Christmas presents from e-retailers this year due to the pandemic.
Footfall on high streets is still far lower than at the same time last year due to fears over the virus and restrictions on the number of people allowed into shops under social distancing regulations, making many people likely to shun inperson Christmas shopping this year.
R achel Jones, chief executive of Edinburgh-based brand protection agency Snapdragon, warned items such as fake bicycle helmets have been found to break in two in crash tests, while counterfeit cosmetics have been found to include everything from arsenic to rat poison.
Other dangerous products sold by criminals online include brake pads for bicycles which are stuffed with grass, rendering them useless, she said.
During lock down, online shopping accounted for 80 per cent of consumer spending, against 20 per cent before the coronavirus pandemic hit. Ms Jones said: “What’s hap - pened with the pandemic is more people have gone online, so there are more people who are not experienced internet shoppers who are being duped more often – not just on fake goods, but on scams too.
“Online market places are usually where the problems are as it is difficult to tell which are the products being sold by a real manufacturer and a fake.”
Ms Jones said items from baby products and toys to popular Christmas gifts including cosmetics are all at risk of being copied.
She said: “Cosmetics, unfortunately, are another one. The products that often go into fake cosmetics can scar someone, or at least give them a bad reaction as it is something they are putting on their skin .” She said :“The message is that if it is too good to be true, it probably is. People should look at the real manufacturer’s website and see what kind of deals are around and exactly what kinds of products they have on offer.
“When people see a deal, they don’t think about the rigorous safety measures and development which has gone into creating an authentic product – and that is often there to make sure it is safe to use.”