Fake Christmas gifts warning to Swansea shoppers

Christmas shoppers in Swansea are being urged to use caution when looking for a bargain.

The warning follows recent seizures in Swansea of fake or dangerous products, including make-up and hoverboards.

Swansea Council’s Trading Standards has made the seizures as part of their ongoing efforts to keep counterfeit products out of the city.

Mark Child, Cabinet Member for Wellbeing & Healthy City, said: “Hoverboards have been seen as the most popular gift this year for Christmas and we have looked at a number that have given our team some safety concerns.

“We have also seized a quantity of fake make-up gift sets that could potentially contain dangerous colourings and cause damage to skin.

“There’s always a risk that if you are hunting for a bargain and are offered a premium product for a fraction of the price then it could be counterfeit.

“Our advice is to use common sense and if a bargain seems too good to be true then it probably is.”

The advice also follows a recent successful prosecution against individual selling counterfeit products including clothes and make-up via Facebook.

Michelle Thomas of Penygarn, Pentrechwyth, pleaded guilty to 16 offences contrary to Section 92 (1)(c) Trade Marks Act 1994.

She was given a six week custodial sentence suspended for 12 months.

Cllr Child added: “This latest case shows we are committed to protecting consumers from those that have no concern for selling potentially harmful and counterfeit products.”