This year the theme for National Consumer Week is:
“Good sports don’t fake it”.
Remember Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington's parents? They nearly missed her Beijing Olympic success because they had been misled into purchasing tickets from a fake website - tickets that never arrived.
Sporting events are heavily profiled at the moment in the media due to the London Olympics and Team GB successes in various disciplines including cricket, badminton, cycling, swimming, triathlon, rowing and sailing.
Other popular sports, like football and rugby, are also high profile and every area of the country has a sports club or association, race or play off - all vulnerable to fraudulent products and services.
TSI and trading standards are using this universal interest to raise awareness during National Consumer Week of fakes and scams that include:
- Fake branded sports clothes and equipment
- Fake ticket websites and tickets
- Fake travel/accommodation packages
There is a strong link between fakes and crime, drugs and benefit fraud in the community – stay away from fakes and help break the chain!
There are some simple checks you can carry out to protect yourself:
- Choose your shopping outlets and websites carefully
- Help yourself. If the deal is too good to be true it probably is
- Ensure you look for authentic branding and holograms
- Contact the authorities if you are concerned
- Keep a copy of your order and receipts
Contact Consumer Direct for advice on 084 5404 0506 or www.direct.gov.uk or visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Contact the charity Crimestoppers anonymously with information about crime on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org
Other useful websites:
www.brand-i.org – helping you find the genuine product
www.star.org.uk – secure tickets from authorised retailers
www.ukeccc.net – UK European Consumer Centre
The reminders in the article are very timely and helpful.
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