Devon County Council

From Adrian Lane, Exeter 383262, November 17, 2008

DEVON County Council Trading Standards Service is warning consumers to be vigilant this Christmas in order to avoid being ripped off with counterfeit goods and unsafe toys.

To coincide with this year's National Consumer Week (17-21 November), Devon County Council Trading Standards Service is launching its new anonymous tip-off hotline, Trading Standards Confidential. You can now call 01392 381380 to report rogue traders, consumer crime and other illegal trading practices or to get advice if you think you are the victim of a scam, with the peace of mind of remaining anonymous.

Counterfeit or fake goods are deliberately made to look like the genuine article. In the UK alone, it is thought that counterfeiting is costing affected industries around £11billion per annum and it has been estimated that film piracy alone generates £200 million each year. Common counterfeit goods to look out for could be computer software such as games, CDs, DVDs, clothing and toys but you also find counterfeit alcohol, tobacco and even items such as vehicle parts.

Fake goods are of poor quality and do not work as well as the genuine item, but there are also safety concerns that should be considered. For example, cosmetics, jewellery and perfumes may cause skin rashes and some fake toys have been found to be dangerous.

Devon County Council Leader Brian Greenslade said: "If you have any doubts or suspicions about whether an article may be genuine then you should examine it very carefully before buying. Things to look out for are low price, poor quality, and labelling errors such as misspellings and poor logos or trademarks. You should also check guarantees and after sales service. Remember that if you have bought fake goods it is unlikely that you will be able to contact the trader should you have a problem."

Peter Greene, Devon County Council Trading Standards Fair Trading Manager, said: "Aside from the dangers and disappointment of faulty goods it should be remembered that these sales are often closely linked with organised crime. It can also affect the local economy by putting people out of work and increase taxes as the people who deal in these scams pay avoid paying tax. Do not forget selling counterfeit goods is also a criminal offence."

When buying children's toys, safety must be a major consideration. Most toys on sale in Britain today meet rigorous safety standards.

Peter Greene added: "Toys that do not comply with safety regulations are a real risk to our children and every year Devon trading standards officers seize dangerous or fake toys. A toy which is safe in the hands of a 10 year old, could be very dangerous to a toddler. Children have huge imaginations and will think of uses that adults giving the toy would never guess. Toys should be suitable for the child's age, abilities and situation."

Devon County Council Trading Standards Service has produced advice for anyone buying toys during the festive season:

• Check the toy is suitable for the age of the child and read all warnings. Do not ignore warnings. Always take notice of warning labels such as "not suitable for children under 36 months because of small parts". Toys bought for older children may contain small parts, so should be kept away from younger brothers and sisters. Parents could help by making separate spaces for such toys and encouraging children to tidy their toys away safely.
• Always try to buy toys from a reputable source. They are more likely to ensure that the toys they sell are safe and you are likely to receive good help and advice.
• Examine the toy for unsafe parts. Look out for; sharp or rough edges or points; hinges and small mechanisms that may trap fingers; small parts that may choke a child.
• Check safety markings. Toys must have the name and address of the manufacturer or importer. They should also have the CE mark, which shows that the toy complies with European safety standards. Toys may also have another safety mark such as the British Lion Mark or the British Kitemark.
• Remove old or broken toys. Use Christmas as an opportunity to dispose of old and broken toys

If you come across a toy that you think may be unsafe, or have bought goods that you think may be fake then you can get consumer advice from Consumer Direct on 08454 040506. Further advice and information for consumers and businesses on a range of trading standards issues is available on www.devon.gov.uk/tradingstandards.

For 'Trading Standards Confidential', call 01392 381380 and speak to one of our advisors, or leave a message, in confidence today.

Notes for Editors:

For more information from Devon County Council Trading Standards Service, contact Peter Greene on 01392 381381.

Consumer Direct South West is a government funded organization dedicated to giving consumer advice to members of the public, and information sharing with Trading Standards services.

Trading Standards Confidential has been launched to coincide with National Consumer Week. Devon County Council Trading Standards Service hopes to reach more members of the residential and business community by offering a confidential reporting service.