To mark World Consumer Rights Day, the European Consumer’s Centres Network (ECC-Net) launched a report themed ‘The impact of counterfeiting on online consumer rights in Europe’. Though having traditionally targeted the luxury market, counterfeit products have now touched all consumer products such as medicine, cosmetics, children’s toys, shoes or automobile parts and are easily accessible thanks to online commerce.

These online bargains seem incredibly attractive. ECC-Net advises not to buy counterfeit goods. Fake products may pose health, safety and financial risks to consumers and expose them to different sanctions in all EU countries. To help consumers not to be trapped, ECC-Net publishes an online brochure with 10 tips on how to avoid buying fake products on the internet.

While surfing the internet looking for a bargain, chances are high that consumers come across attractive offers that might be too good to be true. These products are most likely imitations of brand products. The network explains why and how to avoid cases where consumers are trapped.

Fake products may pose health, safety and financial risks to consumers and expose them to sanctions in EU countries

What are the risks involved when buying counterfeit goods online? Consumers who buy fake products can be exposed to different risks, such as:

• The quality of counterfeit products is not guaranteed. They may pose safety or health risks to consumers. Toys, medicine and cosmetics may contain harmful ingredients.

• Customs may intercept and destroy packages containing counterfeit goods. By consequence, you don’t receive the order you already paid for.

• Right holders may bill the costs related to the destruction of the fake goods.

• Who can you turn to when your counterfeit products become defective? Traders who sell fake goods are not prone to respect your guarantee rights.

This report published by the ECC-Net provides 10 useful tips on how consumers can avoid buying these fake products on the internet. It is important that consumers:

• Check the identity of the seller;

• Search other consumers’ reviews;

• Check whether the website benefits from a trust mark;

• Assess the general layout of the website;

• Check your consumer rights on the trader’s website;

• Check the picture of the product;

• Watch the price of the good;

• Check the official website of the brand for authorised and blacklisted sellers;

• Pay with a secured means of payment;

• Pay attention to refurbished products.

The full version of the report can be downloaded from the ECC Malta website, through www.eccnetmalta.gov.mt, together with other information documents with useful information about this topic.

This information has been provided by the European Consumer Centre Malta. The ECC-Net is a European network consisting of 30 European Consumer Centres, representing all EU Member States and also Iceland and Norway. The network is co-funded by the European Commission and EU Member States. In addition to helping consumers in cases of complaints or disputes, members of the ECC-Net engage in joint projects in order to investigate specific business sectors. ECC Malta is hosted by the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority.

odette.vella@mccaa.org.mt