Report fake or counterfeit goods

Summary

You’re legally entitled to a full refund on fake goods within 30 days of paying for them. The seller is legally able to give you a real version of the item to replace the fake one. However, if they can’t provide a replacement, they’re legally required to give you a refund (up until 6 months after you paid for it). “I have a right to a refund under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, because this item doesn’t match its written/verbal description”. You’re entitled to a part-refund depending on how much you’ve used the item and how long you’ve had it. It’s harder to do this after 6 months as you could be asked to prove that the item is a fake - try talking to the real brand and asking them to inspect it. Your consumer rights last for up to 6 years, depending on the quality and standard of the item when you bought it. This means you don’t have the right to ask for a refund after 6 years. Sometimes sellers argue that items were obviously fake because they were very cheap. They can say you must have known it wasn’t the real thing and use that as a reason not to give your money back. However, they’re breaking the law by selling fake items and your legal rights still apply. If you need more.

Key information

• •report the seller to Trading Standards
• •report the seller to Report Fraud on their website or call them on 0300 123 2040
• •report the seller to Crimestoppers
• •You’re legally entitled to a full refund on fake goods within 30 days of paying for them.
• •The seller is legally able to give you a real version of the item to replace the fake one. However, if they can’t provide a replacement, they’re legally required to give you a refund (up until 6 months after you paid for it).
• •“I have a right to a refund under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, because this item doesn’t match its written/verbal description”.
• •You’re entitled to a part-refund depending on how much you’ve used the item and how long you’ve had it. It’s harder to do this after 6 months as you could be asked to prove that the item is a fake - try talking to the real brand and asking them to inspect it.
• •Your consumer rights last for up to 6 years, depending on the quality and standard of the item when you bought it. This means you don’t have the right to ask for a refund after 6 years.
• •Sometimes sellers argue that items were obviously fake because they were very cheap. They can say you must have known it wasn’t the real thing and use that as a reason not to give your money back. However, they’re breaking the law by selling fake items and your legal rights still apply.
• •If you need more help finding out how to get your money back, you can contact the Citizens Advice consumer service.
• •Contact your bank and say you want to use the ‘chargeback scheme’.
• •If the item cost less than £100, you should contact your credit card company and say you want to use the ‘chargeback scheme’.

Practical guidance

• •Source: [Report fake or counterfeit goods](https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/somethings-gone-wrong-with-a-purchase/report-fake-or-counterfeit-goods/)

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