People in Stone are being urged to take care when looking for bank holiday bargains, with a warning that counterfeit goods can pose serious safety risks.
Staffordshire County Council’s Trading Standards team says fake products are commonly found at car boot sales and local markets, as well as through social media and online sellers.
Counterfeit products may have been made without the safety testing or quality controls applied to legitimate goods, meaning apparently cheap purchases can carry additional risks.
Items highlighted by Trading Standards include:
- Electrical goods such as chargers, batteries, plugs and extension leads, which can overheat, short circuit, cause electric shocks or catch fire.
- Children’s toys, which can contain harmful chemicals or have poorly made small parts that create a choking risk.
- Sunglasses which may not provide adequate UV protection. Dark lenses without the correct filters can potentially increase exposure to ultraviolet rays.
- Cosmetics, perfumes and sunscreen which may contain unsafe ingredients. Counterfeit sunscreen may also fail to provide the level of protection claimed.
The council also warned that money generated through the sale of counterfeit products can help fund organised crime.
Anthony Screen, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Resilience, said:
“Counterfeit goods might look convincing, but they can pose very real dangers.
“Fake products often bypass safety checks designed to protect consumers. What appears to be a cheap deal could end up causing real, serious injury. And remember, counterfeiting helps fund organised crime.
“If you are heading off to a car boot sale over the bank holiday weekend, be vigilant and don’t get caught out by fakes. I’d always encourage people to buy from trusted retailers and be cautious of offers that seem too good to be true.”
Anyone with information about the sale of illegal or counterfeit goods can contact Staffordshire Trading Standards on its confidential helpline on 01785 330356.
Information can also be submitted using Staffordshire County Council’s Trading Standards reporting form, which the council says is confidential and anonymous.
People who have bought something and need individual consumer advice are advised to contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133.
