Bucks, Beds, and Herts residents should expect rise in counterfeit goods and services
The rise in counterfeit goods and services will be triggered by Christmas and the cost of living crisis
People across Bucks, Beds, and Herts are being urged to stay alert over the Christmas as trading standards officers are expecting to see an uptick in the number of counterfeit goods and services being sold.
As well as preying on the festive period, the cost of living crisis is also said to be adding to the problem.
Simon Brindley is Principal Trading Standards Officer at Hertfordshire County Council. He explains how Christmas plays a part in the rise: "There's always the new thing or latest trend that everyone wants to get involved. Where there is increased demand, that's where there's opportunity for criminals and non-compliant businesses to take advantage."
He adds: "Because of the situation that everyone's in, price is going to be come more and more of a priority. People are just going to look for where they can save money and possibly turn a blind eye to whether it's counterfeit goods or, simply, not have that on their radar."
What form can these scams take?
According to Simon these scams can take a number of forms but ones to look out for include copycat websites, sponsored adverts, and phishing emails and texts.
How can I protect myself from a scam?
Simon suggests accessing websites through a web search, rather than clicking on links that have been sent via social media, email, or text. He adds it's important to check whether the website you're on is listed as secure, as well as whether the company has a physical address.
He concludes: "Most of the time, go with your gut."
If you're a victim of a scam
In Simon's experience, if you're a victim of a scam, the first thing to do is contact your debit or credit card provider or if you've paid through an intermediary like PayPal, reach out to them.
If you're looking to report a scam, then get in touch with Action Fraud or Citizens Advice who can help with the next steps.