Suffolk Trading Standards is issuing advice to parents after more than 50 counterfeit copies of a popular toy were seized from a shop in Ipswich town centre last week.
Fingerlings are this year’s must have toy for Christmas and are sold out at most retailers across the country.
The fake toys were spotted by a member of the public who reported them to Trading Standards.
Officers then visited the store and identified that all Fingerlings on sale in the store were counterfeit, with samples being sent off for testing as there are suspicions the products could be dangerous.
Two versions of the fake toys were on sale in the store - they are easily spotted by errors on the packaging.
Cllr Matthew Hicks, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for environment and public protection, said: “The swift action by Suffolk Trading Standards Officers to get these items off sale sends out a strong message to businesses that the sale of counterfeit toys will not be tolerated in Suffolk.
“Not only does this type of illegal activity put our residents at risk, it also affects our legitimate businesses who are being compromised by unscrupulous sellers.
“Toys must meet strict safety standards and undergo rigorous testing to ensure that they are safe. Counterfeit toys will have been manufactured with absolutely no regard for their safety.
“If you spot counterfeit Fingerlings on sale, please report it to Trading Standards via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 040506.”
Suffolk Trading Standards has issued the following advice on how to spot genuine Fingerlings:
• Genuine Fingerlings will clearly have the manufacturers details “WowWee” printed on the packaging: WowWee Canada Inc. 3700 Saint Patrick Street, Suite 206, Montreal, QC, H4E 1A2
• Genuine Fingerlings are sold in packaging with a moulded plastic top sealed onto a cardboard backing sheet.
• Genuine Fingerlings have the WowWee logo on both the front and back of the packaging
• Copy and fake versions will often have different names like ‘Baby Monkey’, ‘Happy Monkey’ or ‘Finger Monkey’
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