STORY
The Intellectual Property Office has issued new guidance designed to help consumers avoid counterfeit goods when buying second-hand fashion online. The Government said figures released today showed one in four buyers of second-hand clothing had unknowingly purchased a counterfeit item online in the past year.
The guidance, developed with support from Vinted, forms part of wider work between Government, online marketplaces and enforcement bodies to tackle counterfeit sellers. Officials said one in three second-hand clothing buyers admitted they did not check authenticity before making a purchase, while nearly 60% of those who bought fakes had experienced negative consequences such as poor quality, refund disputes or rapid deterioration.
The Government said younger shoppers were particularly exposed, with almost half of 18 to 24-year-olds having encountered counterfeit designer goods on resale platforms. The announcement follows police and Trading Standards raids in which more than £4 million worth of luxury designer goods were seized.