You have the legal right to a refund if you’ve bought something that’s fake or counterfeit.
You can also report the seller to Trading Standards or report the seller for fraud. Trading Standards might take legal action against the seller, but they can’t help you to get your money back.
Getting a refund from the seller
You’re legally entitled to a full refund on fake goods within 30 days of paying for them.
If it’s been over 30 days but less than 6 months since you paid
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).
What to say or write
Example “I have a right to a refund under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, because this item doesn’t match its written/verbal description”.
If you paid for the item more than 6 months ago
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.
If the seller refuses to give you a refund
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 helpline. Contact the Consumerline if you're in Northern Ireland.
If you paid by debit card
Contact your bank and say you want to use the ‘chargeback scheme’.
If you paid by credit card
If the item cost less than £100, you should contact your credit card company and say you want to use the ‘chargeback scheme’.
If the item cost between £100 and £30,000, contact your credit card company and say that you want to make a ‘section 75’ claim to get your money back.
If you paid using PayPal
Use PayPal’s online Resolution Centre to report your dispute. You must do so within 180 days of paying.
Report the seller to Trading Standards
Trading Standards looks into criminal activity and prosecute sellers and traders who break the law. You’re not legally obliged to report someone selling fake goods, but it might stop other people accidentally buying fakes from them in future.
Read more about reporting a seller to Trading Standards.
Report the seller for fraud
You can:
Get help
Contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133if you need more help - a trained adviser can give you advice over the phone. You can also use an online form.
If you’re in Northern Ireland, contact Consumerline.
FAQs
If you suspect someone is producing or selling counterfeit goods, you can submit a report online to the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center. Other federal agencies that investigate reports of counterfeit goods include: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
Can you report counterfeit goods? ›
If you suspect someone is producing or selling counterfeit goods, you can submit a report online to the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center. Other federal agencies that investigate reports of counterfeit goods include: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
What agency investigates counterfeit goods? ›
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigates criminal counterfeiting, piracy, and other federal crimes.
Is selling knockoffs illegal? ›
Counterfeiting is the act of making or selling lookalike goods or services bearing fake trademarks. Are you considering starting a business that involves selling unauthorized merchandise such as fake Gucci handbags? The sale of counterfeit goods (as described below) is illegal, as you're probably aware.
How to report unlicensed merchandise? ›
Your state's consumer protection office. Your state's attorney general. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) if you believe the sale may have been a scam. Econsumer.gov if your purchase was from a seller outside of the U.S.
How do I report fakes? ›
You can:
- report the seller to Trading Standards.
- report the seller to Action Fraud on their website or call them on 0300 123 2040.
- report the seller to Crimestoppers.
Example 1: A counterfeit Rolex visually mimics an authentic Rolex, as it has a brand name and logo on the product. A knockoff Rolex has a nearly identical design, but doesn't have a trademark or logo on the product.
How do you report fake money? ›
Report Counterfeit Currency
Visit the Secret Service website to complete a Counterfeit Note Report or contact your local U.S. Secret Service field office. (Note: You must send the Counterfeit Note Report to your local U.S. Secret Service field office. Visit the U.S. Secret Service website for more information.)
What to do if someone pays you with fake money? ›
Contact your local police department or United States Secret Service field office.
Can you legally sell replicas? ›
Copyright law can also make selling replicas illegal. Copyright protects creative works like books, movies, songs, and art. If you reproduce parts of a creative work without permission, that's copyright infringement. Even if you just copy a small part.
Selling fake and counterfeit designer merchandise such as Louis Vuitton, Prada, Tiffany, Adidas, or Nike can get your arrested and charged with felonies punishable by state prison time, steep fines, and a huge restitution bill.
Can you sell replica shoes on Facebook marketplace? ›
Please note that counterfeit goods may be unlawful even if the seller explicitly says that the goods are counterfeit, or otherwise disclaims authenticity of the goods. If you believe content on Facebook is selling or promoting counterfeit goods, you can report it by filling out this form. Was this helpful?
Where can I report a company? ›
The CGSO enforces the Consumer Goods and Services Industry Code of Conduct by receiving and dealing with consumer goods complaints by a consumer free of charge.
Is it illegal to return counterfeit goods? ›
If you buy something that isn't as described, or isn't satisfactory quality, you have statutory rights. This means you should be entitled to a refund or an exchange of goods. However, counterfeit sellers aren't easy to track down.
How to report IPTV sellers? ›
Crimestoppers is an independent charity and allows anyone with details of criminal activity to pass it on anonymously, without fear of exposure or retribution. You can contact Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111 or filling out an online Giving Information Form.
Can you report someone for giving you counterfeit money? ›
Report Counterfeit Currency
Report suspected counterfeit currency to your local authorities. Law enforcement agencies, banks and cash processors will submit suspected counterfeit currency to the Secret Service through our USDollars website.
Is counterfeit goods a crime? ›
It is illegal to purchase counterfeit goods. Bringing them into the United States may result in civil or criminal penalties and purchasing counterfeit goods often supports criminal activities, such as forced labor or human trafficking. Help to stop the funding of criminal enterprises by buying authentic goods.
What to do if you receive counterfeit? ›
If You Receive a Counterfeit
If you ever doubt the authenticity of a note you receive, contact your local U.S. Secret Service field office (Off-site).
