Stay cautious and shop smart this Cyber Monday!

Consumer Rights & Advice / Family Health

If you're hunting for deals on electrical items, beware when shopping online. Online marketplaces can be a hotspot for counterfeit and substandard electrical goods, putting your safety at risk. 

Buying from Online Marketplaces

A third of people who bought an electrical fake, purchased the product from an online marketplace. It is easy to set yourself up as a trader on popular sites like Amazon Marketplace, eBay and Wish and there is not enough regulation in place to prevent people from using these sites to sell counterfeit and sub-standard electrical products, as well as those that are subject to a product recall due to a serious safety risk.

Electrical Safety First recommends buying from a retailer that you trust, either direct from the manufacturer’s website or a trusted High Street name – the products they sell will meet the correct safety standards but if something does go wrong, you can return the product for repair or a refund.

Stay cautious and shop smart this Cyber Monday! For tips on spotting fake items and staying safe, check out our Don't Be Electricked campaign page.