Avoiding the purchase of counterfeit and illicit goods
Consumers should be cautious when deciding whether to purchase goods from street sellers or unauthorised sources. Counterfeit and illicit goods can include fake perfume, illegal vapes, illicit tobacco and other branded products.
Counterfeit goods can be poor quality, unsafe and leave you out of pocket with little to no consumer rights.
Counterfeit goods are also linked to organised criminal networks.
To avoid purchasing counterfeit or illicit goods, remember the 4 Ps:
- Place – producers of high value, luxury goods generally only supply exclusive, authorised outlets so if you are offered these on the street, they may be fake. You may also find it difficult to get a refund from a street seller if there is a problem as they tend to move on quickly.
- Price – if the price seems too good to be true, then the product may be fake. But remember that sellers of fake goods will sometimes price their wares at close to the price of genuine items to avoid suspicion.
- Packaging – look out for spelling mistakes on the packaging or a lack of information, such as details of a representative in the United Kingdom, which all genuine products will have.
- Product – if the quality of a product or its packaging is dubious, you should beware, as this can indicate that the goods are a cheap copy.
Protect yourself
Buying from reputable retailers ensures that you are purchasing products that meet UK safety standards and gives you better consumer rights if something goes wrong.
Report suspected counterfeit or illicit goods
If you think you have been sold counterfeit or illicit goods, contact the Citizens Advice consumer service by calling 0808 223 1133. You can also report it online.
The Citizens Advice website also provides helpful information on: