Shoppers warned to be on lookout for scams and counterfeits in sales

Shoppers are being warned to be on the lookout for counterfeit or substandard products when they buy online in Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales.

Many retailers will be offering cut-price deals both online and in-store on Black Friday, which takes place this Friday, and Cyber Monday on November 28.

But experts at Advice Direct Scotland have urged people to be “savvy shoppers” when looking for bargains and have stressed that if a deal sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.

The opportunity for bargains brings a risk of people buying counterfeit or substandard products that may not be safe.

Colin Mathieson, spokesperson for Advice Direct Scotland, said: “Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales are a great opportunity for people to grab a bargain, with some amazing deals both in shops and online.

“It can be extremely difficult to tell the real from the fake, particularly when shopping online.

“We would encourage consumers to check that the goods they are purchasing are genuine, by following our top tips, including buying from reputable retailers.

“And, as always, people should remember that if something sounds too good to be true, then there’s a high chance that it is.”

A survey carried out by Barclays found that 72% of Scots will get most of their Christmas shopping on Black Friday, with 56% saying they will spend between £100 and £400 on the day.

The study also found that last year, there was a 34% increase in reported purchase scams, with victims losing an average of £1,072 to purchase scams during the seasonal shopping period.