Easter & Counterfeits: Things you should be aware of for a Safe Festivity
As the Easter-related festivities are approaching with streets filled with feasting, candy, games, and — especially, the Easter Bunny. The counterfeiters, yet again, came alive for their dubious acts of selling fakes worldwide.
People start to plan trips to local car boot sales on Easter Bank Holiday weekend, while the authorities like Staffordshire Trading Standards warn them to be wary of counterfeits being sold on such sales.
Of course, it is a good idea to save a little in your pocket for a cheaper alternative, but it comes at a cost. The cost of bearing health and safety consequences.
The Easter Bank Holiday usually initiates the car boot season, where you would typically find fake designer clothing, electronics, cosmetics, toys, alcohol, tobacco, and vapes.
Philip White, Deputy Leader at Staffordshire County Council, said:
“The counterfeit goods market may seem like a harmless enough industry but there’s lots of reasons why you should avoid fakes.
“Counterfeit goods can not only be harmful to your health and poor quality, but by buying fakes you’re helping support other more serious criminal activity. Over the last few years our officers have seized millions of pounds of fake goods, taking dangerous goods off the streets and helping keep communities safe.”
Germany is full of attractions around the holidays, as every street, balcony, square, and garden is decorated for the celebrations. While the main tradition of the country is of giving Easter Baskets containing hand-painted eggs, chocolates, and toys — there is an option to visit flea markets for some categorised Easter Products.
While customers are in the mood for celebrations, counterfeiters promote the vicinity of introducing fake products into these flea markets.
Hence, it is better for you as a customer to look for out-of-the-way offers and eye-catching labels that don’t really look like from a legitimate brand.
Hong Kong Customs become Proactive in Enforcement actions
While it is better to be proactive as a customer for not getting duped into buying fakes during the auspicious season.
It becomes essential for Customs & Enforcement authorities, including Brands, to monitor the supply of counterfeits over the supply chains.
Pertaining to the monitoring actions, Hong Kong Customs stepped up its enforcement activities against counterfeit goods before the Easter Holiday and Labour Day Golden Week Period.
On 28th March 2023, Hong Kong’s Customs officials conducted a special operation in Mong Kok, confiscating about 5,000 counterfeit items, which, if real, would have been an estimated market value of $1 million.
As per the investigations, a 37-year-old woman was taken into custody for storing a batch of counterfeit handbags, leather goods, and sports footwear.
The Customs Authorities are on the lookout to deploy more such enforcement measures vigorously before and during the holidays, with the motive to safeguard consumer rights and protect brand reputations.
How to Avoid Counterfeits in Holiday Season?
Even if Enforcement Authorities are proactively working round the clock to protect customers, we as consumers must be attentive enough to spot a counterfeit when encountering one.
Here are 5 ways to be attentive and avoid getting duped into purchasing fakes this holiday season:
- Verify the authenticity of the Website before purchasing any product through online marketplaces.
- Evaluate the E-commerce sites showing incredible and unrealistic offers.
- Look for authorised markings and attributes when purchasing from social media sites.
- Read the brands’ guidelines on identifying a genuine product before clicking on the purchase button.
- Flea markets could be the hotspots of ‘everything fake’, and comparing the one in hand with an original image or source can safeguard you from falling for fakes.
