Fake products: LASCOPA steps up consumer education to protect Lagosians

The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) has intensified its consumer education and enforcement efforts to protect residents from counterfeit, expired, adulterated and substandard products, urging consumers to remain vigilant and report unfair business practices.

The General Manager of LASCOPA, Afolabi Solebo, gave the assurance during media appearances on the ‘@AskLagos’ programme, where he educated residents on identifying fake and substandard products, understanding their consumer rights and seeking redress when necessary.

Solebo disclosed that although the Agency continues to identify supermarkets and retail outlets selling unwholesome products, sustained monitoring and enforcement activities have contributed to a reduction in the practice.

He warned that the Agency would not hesitate to seal business premises found violating applicable consumer protection laws and regulations where necessary. He added that enforcement actions would be publicised to raise public awareness, encourage compliance and deter further violations.

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On price transparency, the General Manager urged consumers to report supermarkets, shops and other businesses that fail to display the prices of their goods.

Solebo further explained that visible price tags enable consumers to make informed purchasing decisions and help prevent discrepancies between displayed prices and amounts charged at checkout.

Addressing the common “No Refund, No Return” policy, he clarified that blanket disclaimers do not automatically override consumers’ legitimate rights to redress.

Therefore, he encouraged residents who purchase defective, counterfeit, substandard or misrepresented products to lodge complaints with the Agency for appropriate intervention.

He also advised consumers to adopt responsible purchasing habits by checking product labels, verifying relevant registration details, examining expiry dates and retaining receipts or other proof of purchase. He urged residents to report suspicious products, misleading advertisements, hidden charges and other unfair business practices.

The General Manager further stressed the importance of requesting and keeping receipts for purchases and other financial transactions, noting that they serve as evidence when disputes arise.

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For online transactions, he advised consumers to verify sellers, confirm payment terms and use secure payment channels. Where payment on delivery is available, he encouraged buyers to inspect goods before making payment, subject to the seller’s stated terms and applicable regulations.

He urged residents not to remain silent when their consumer rights are violated but to take advantage of the Agency’s complaint channels to seek redress. He emphasised that effective consumer protection requires the collective responsibility of consumers, businesses and regulatory authorities.

He reiterated LASCOPA’s commitment to safeguarding consumers’ interests, promoting fair business practices and ensuring a safe, transparent and accountable marketplace where residents receive value for their money.