MONTHLY ADVICE COLUMN – February 2026
Question
I bought a doll for my child recently. I thought it was manufactured by a well-known brand, but I suspect it might be counterfeit. How can I be sure and what are my rights?
Advice
You’re right to seek advice about this issue, because counterfeit goods aren’t only illegal, they
can be dangerous. Fake children’s toys in particular, including dolls, often don’t meet safety
standards and can pose choking hazards – poor manufacturing can mean small parts are
easily detachable.
Counterfeit goods are fake products designed to mimic the authentic ones sold by genuine
brands. Sometimes it’s easy to spot a knock-off, other times it can be harder to tell.
It’s not just toys and games – things like clothing, footwear, e-cigarettes, perfumes and media
devices can also be counterfeit.
Things to watch out for include strangely low prices from well-known brands and signs of poor
quality – like missing security seals, bad or non-existent packaging, blurry logos and poor
stitching. You may also spot some spelling mistakes in the advert or on the packaging.
Looking at photos from official sellers can help when making comparisons, and it’s important to
only buy products from reputable sellers.
If you have purchased a counterfeit item, there are some steps you can take to try and get your
money back. You’re legally entitled to a full refund on fake goods within 30 days of your
purchase.
If it’s been over 30 days since you paid, but less than six months, the seller can provide you with
a real version of the item first. If they can't, then they’re legally required to give you a full refund.
If you paid more than six months ago, you’re only entitled to a part-refund based on how much
you’ve used the item and how long you’ve had it.
Sometimes sellers might refuse to refund you, and argue the items were obviously fake because
they were very cheap, but they’re breaking the law by selling them and your legal rights still
apply. If this happens and you paid by debit card, contact your bank and ask to use the
‘chargeback scheme’. If you paid by credit card and the item cost less than £100, you can ask to
use the same scheme. If you paid by credit card and the item cost between £100 and £30,000,
tell your credit card company you want to make a ‘section 75’ claim to get your money back.
Contact Information:
Local Advice Line: 0808 189 8273
National Advice Line: 0800 144 8848
Email: Communications@citizensadvicehavering.org.uk
Address: Citizens Advice Havering, Romford Central Library, First Floor, St Edwards Way, Romford, RM1 3AR
