Thinking of going to a car boot sale over the Bank Holiday weekend? Then watch out for counterfeit goods.

Counterfeit items harm the economy and can harm people. Goods previously seized from local markets have mostly been illegal tobacco products and unsafe cosmetics. 

Counterfeit goods are shoddy imitations and will leave people out of pocket and could cause serious harm. Fake electrical goods can cause fires and electrocution whilst cosmetics such as make up may have high lead levels.  Counterfeit DVDs are often of poor quality, some may even be blank, and computer software may not work. As many counterfeit goods are sold at car boot sales, pubs, markets or fairs, it is very difficult to trace the fraudster once you’ve bought from them.

Legitimate traders suffer as a result of counterfeit sales harming the local economy in the process. Money made also goes into the pockets of organised criminal gangs to fund things such as drug dealing or people trafficking.

Some of the hidden dangers of counterfeit goods include: 

• Counterfeit alcohol such as vodka may contain dangerous chemicals which can cause health problems such as blindness 
• Counterfeit perfume and cosmetics can often burn skin or leave a nasty rash and may contain banned substances.
• Fake sunglasses often offer no UVA protection, causing eye damage 
• Fake tobacco often contains unknown chemicals, higher tar levels and cigarettes can be a fire risk as they do not self-extinguish 
• Counterfeit toys can often be unsafe with unsuitable small parts and children's clothes may be flammable

If you intend to sell at a car boot, you should also be on alert.There have been past reports of gangs targeting car boot sales using fake notes and making small £1 purchases but using fake £20 notes to pay for it.

Car boot sellers can be seen as more vulnerable to such scams because they often have not had the training to spot forged cash. Notes should be carefully checked for colour, clarity of print and the feel and texture. It may even be worthwhile investing in a counterfeit pen detector.

Be alert to any offers that seem too good to be true and if you spot or believe any trader in Coventry is supplying fake goods, please report it using our online reporting form or use the Anonymous Hotline: 0300 303 2636

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As the August Bank Holiday arrives, many are planning barbecues or a get together. Trading Standards is warning of the dangers of buying cheap alcohol which more than likely will be fake unless you are making the most of special offers of known brands from reputable outlets.

Made with chemicals used in anti-freeze, screen wash or nail polish remover, counterfeit alcohol can cause vomiting, blindness, liver and kidney damage, and in extreme cases, even death.

It's important to know how to Spot and Avoid fake alcohol by always remembering the 4 P’s.

Product: Vodka is the most counterfeited spirit so pay particular attention if you are buying this, especially if it is a brand name you have never heard of.

Price: If the price looks too good to be true, it probably is!

Packaging: Watch out for poor quality labelling including spelling mistakes and tampered bottles.

Place: Buy your alcohol from a reputable off-licence premise or store.

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Trading Standards is warning residents and their carers to be on their guard against mobility companies after an incident in Henley Green.

An elderly resident received an unannounced visit to her door from a company trying to sell mobility aids and was eventually persuaded to buy a mattress, paying 50% of the £700.00 purchase price that day. The company also tried to try to sell other mobility aids.

However, the resident wanted out of the deal and with the assistance of Age UK Coventry, the contract was cancelled and a full refund was made.

From intelligence we are aware that some Mobility Aid firms use some of the following tactics:

• Buy and use databases identifying people over a   certain age and who may also be disabled.
• Phoning or visiting unannounced to try to arrange an appointment in the home.
• Ignoring clearly displayed ‘no cold calling’ signs or illegally phoning people registered with the Telephone Preference Service.
• Failing to provide any information about the firm which means you can’t contact them to cancel any arrangements.
• Stating that a health survey is being carried out or implying they are calling from or associated with Social Services or the hospital.
• Suggesting that a hospital or other service has passed on the consumer's details to arrange a visit.

These are just some of the tactics used to get through the door. Once inside the consumer can be subjected to hours of high pressure sales pitch for items which may not be suitable for a person’s needs or are initially offered at very inflated prices which are progressively reduced in order to try and get a deal.

Remember, some mobility aids may be available free of charge from the Council – more information on what is available.

Also remember – When doing business on your doorstep you have a 14 day cooling off period.

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This week, Coventry Trading Standards and Local Neighbourhood Police have been proactive in relation to rogue trader activity and joint patrols have been carried out across the city. A number of traders were spoken to, carrying out various types of work such as gardening, block paving and even one company fitting a stair lift. The Police were also issuing warnings to householders about the dangers of leaving windows wide open in the warmer weather, especially at night.

Many of the traders we spoke to this week expressed their appreciation for such joint initiatives as they saw this as not only protecting the citizens of Coventry but also their own livelihoods and that of other genuine local traders.

Rogue traders are individuals or groups of people who cold-call householders, often targeting vulnerable residents, claiming to be a bona fide business and purporting to offer services, most commonly buildings maintenance and repair. The long Bank Holiday weekend can be an opportunity for these rogues to catch more people at home and offer work.

Our advice is to be on your guard for such unsolicited approaches, and to stay vigilant especially if you have vulnerable or elderly people living nearby who may be potential targets.

If you didn't arrange for a visit, politely decline any offers of work and close your door. Be firm, as rogue traders are in the habit of turning up in the evenings and at weekends and often more than once to try put pressure on people. These individuals will soon move on if their source of work – and income – dries up.

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August Bank Holiday and for some that extra day off work is a good opportunity to enjoy good company and good food by going out to eat. 

However, before you visit or book a place, check the food hygiene rating which tells you about hygiene standards in restaurants and other food businesses. Visit the Food Standards Agency website and put in the restaurant’s name or address or if you are out, look for the green and black rating sticker. If you can’t see one, just ask. The higher the rating the better the standards of food hygiene was found on the date of inspection or visit by the local authority Environmental Health Officer.

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