How To Spot Fakes

Price, Place & Packaging are all indicators of whether something is genuine, or whether you may be at risk. Supermarkets, well-known retailers and brand-name or familiar retail websites are much less likely to sell fakes. But a vast range of products for sale in the street, in temporary shops, markets or in cyberspace could be counterfeit, and very dangerous.

 

Toys

Be aware of discount stores, market stalls and Internet auction sites, they may all be prime sources of counterfeits. By law, toy packaging must display the CE mark and manufacturer's or importer's details.  Also look for the BSI Kite and Lion quality marks and make sure that toys come in the original sealed packaging. Always buy from reputable stockists.

Alcohol

Examine the quality and cleanliness of gift cartons, bottles and labels. Look closely for spelling and artwork mistakes, especially brand logos and designs. Pay particular attention to the bottle closure and its anti-tamper evident device. Look carefully for any sign that the bottle may have been opened previously (eg puncture holes in the lid). Be wary of brands you do not recognise. Always buy from a reputable, licensed stockist or duty-free outlet.

 

Fragrances

Be wary of products with low-quality packaging, no logo, or mis-spelt brand names. Again, the biggest warning sign is the vendor. As genuine fragrances are high-end products, they are mostly sold in large, reputable retail outlets – distrust the man on the street promising a bargain, or the auction site selling many different brands. Never buy sight unseen; always buy from a trustworthy source.

 

Household Items

Poor quality packaging. Check manufacturers address details and look out for incorrect spelling.  Trust your senses - if it doesn’t look or smell right, you could be putting yourself and your family at risk.

 

Sunglasses

Watch out for 'designer' sunglasses sold unpackaged, or in flimsy unmarked plastic sleeves. Test the hinges - they will be inferior in fake versions. A lack of peel-off certificate - usually a small label affixed to one of the lenses - proving UV protection is another pointer. A big giveaway with fake sunglasses is you can just scratch off the name.

 

Cigarettes

Fake cigarettes usually have packaging that resembles the brands they imitate, but the cigarettes themselves often taste very different. Look closely for spelling mistakes in the small print on the box. Other clues are foreign or mis-spelt safety warnings - or no safety warnings at all. Many sources of fakes use intensive labour to make the boxes by hand so their construction and the quality of the paper and glue are often noticeably inferior. Always buy from a reputable stockist or duty-free outlet.

 

Pharmaceuticals

Do not buy medicines on-line, and always buy on prescription from your doctor from whichever nearby pharmacy the surgery recommends.

 

Dvds

If a film is still being shown at the cinema it won’t be available on DVD. People like Disney have holograms on the cover to show the product is genuine - as holograms can’t be photocopied.

 

Clothing

Look out for poor quality stitching and inaccurate logos. Labels must have an indication of the fibre content (eg 100% cotton).  If a designer item is cheap - ask yourself why. (eg don’t expect to pay £10 for a designer pair of jeans!).

 

Jewellery

Check for hallmarks. Buy from a reputable source. Ask yourself… ‘Is it cheap because it’s a bargain or because it’s a fake?’

REMEMBER …. IF IT SEEMS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE - IT PROBABLY IS!