The Olympic Creed declares, ‘The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.’ A representative of United Leeds Endeavours comments, “It’s stirring stuff, what we love about the Olympics is the team spirit that we value so highly here at United Leeds Endeavours.”
The Olympic committee has gone to real lengths to ensure that tickets for the events don’t make it onto the black market but there are many other areas where con-artists will be looking to make quick and easy money.
Teresa Perchard of Citizens Advice warns, "Businesses might be tempted to cut corners because their finances are under pressure" she cites examples where they are renting out parking spaces close to venues contravening parking permit rules.
United Leeds Endeavours was also shocked to learn that there have also been reports of tenants being given notice by landlords who believe they can charge more for property close to an Olympic venue. Mike Roylance, head of Brand Protection at Adidas also says that they are expecting ‘a tidal wave’ of counterfeit products after Christmas.
So how can you be sure you’re buying the real thing? United Leeds Endeavours has learnt that all London 2012 merchandise will carry an official hologram as well as a unique item number. You can use websites like Brand-i to check whether an item is from a genuine stockist.
“At United Leeds Endeavours we were amazed to hear that even athletes and their families have been the victims of scams.” At the Beijing 2008 Olympics Rebecca Adlington’s family lost £1,100 to a website selling fake tickets. Her mother, Kay Adlington, encourages sports fans, "Whenever possible, always buy from the official website using a credit card. The best way to genuinely support our athletes is to buy genuine goods, rather than fakes."
United Leeds Endeavours’ offers their final advice to outsmart the fraudsters, “plan early, check your sources and stay with friends and family to keep the costs down. Keep the pockets of the con-artists empty and Go Team GB!”
The Olympic committee has gone to real lengths to ensure that tickets for the events don’t make it onto the black market but there are many other areas where con-artists will be looking to make quick and easy money.
Teresa Perchard of Citizens Advice warns, "Businesses might be tempted to cut corners because their finances are under pressure" she cites examples where they are renting out parking spaces close to venues contravening parking permit rules.
United Leeds Endeavours was also shocked to learn that there have also been reports of tenants being given notice by landlords who believe they can charge more for property close to an Olympic venue. Mike Roylance, head of Brand Protection at Adidas also says that they are expecting ‘a tidal wave’ of counterfeit products after Christmas.
So how can you be sure you’re buying the real thing? United Leeds Endeavours has learnt that all London 2012 merchandise will carry an official hologram as well as a unique item number. You can use websites like Brand-i to check whether an item is from a genuine stockist.
“At United Leeds Endeavours we were amazed to hear that even athletes and their families have been the victims of scams.” At the Beijing 2008 Olympics Rebecca Adlington’s family lost £1,100 to a website selling fake tickets. Her mother, Kay Adlington, encourages sports fans, "Whenever possible, always buy from the official website using a credit card. The best way to genuinely support our athletes is to buy genuine goods, rather than fakes."
United Leeds Endeavours’ offers their final advice to outsmart the fraudsters, “plan early, check your sources and stay with friends and family to keep the costs down. Keep the pockets of the con-artists empty and Go Team GB!”
