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Don't be a Scrooge this Christmas

Posted on Wednesday 6th December 2017
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A campaign highlighting the dangers of buying counterfeit goods in the run up to Christmas is being promoted by Newport City Council and the local branch of the Intellectual Property Office.

Both organisations will be in Friars Walk on Saturday, December 9 getting the message across that the sale of counterfeit goods and services are damaging the local and national economy, costing millions of pounds each year.

Such sales also puts at risk the jobs and livelihoods of thousands of workers and business owners across the UK.

In the past 12 months Trading Standards Officers at Newport City Council have dealt with hundreds of complaints about all types of goods; notably illegal media streaming devices; make-up; clothing; perfume; memory cards and bags.

The threat of counterfeit goods have been encountered across all sales platforms including eBay; Facebook; traders’ premises and the internet and it is likely fake goods will be more in evidence in the run up to the festive period.

To help the public shop at honest local businessed who have invested in the city Newport City Council launched its own campaign, Fake Free Newport, in November 2016 .

These businesses have signed up and pledged to stand alongside the council to join in the fight against the sale of counterfeit goods.

Councillor Ray Truman, Newport City Council’s Cabinet Member for Licencing and Regulation, is urging the public to think carefully about buying counterfeit goods.

“What may appear as a bargain could end up costing people a lot more, maybe that cheap mobile phone charger you bought could cause a fire, risking the lives of your loved ones.

“Or what about that cheap toy? Does that toy you are about to give to your child contain dangerous small parts or untested chemicals?

“We would urge the public to think very carefully about buying so called bargains and only shop with genuine traders, many who have signed up to the council’s Fake Free Newport campaign.

“It is a constant battle fighting the flood of counterfeit goods in our city and we hope hope everyone will do their bit to help us catch these culpits,” said Councillor Truman.

If anyone witnesses counterfeit goods being sold please call the Rogue Trading hotline on 01633 235233.

A list of traders who have signed up to the council’s campaign can be found on the  council’s website www.newport.gov.uk/fakefree

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