LV= warns against criminal Christmas

by Richard Kilner

Story link: LV= warns against criminal Christmas

Home insurer LV= has commissioned research which reveals that 35% of Britons will be shopping using online auction sites and marketplaces this Christmas.

Worryingly, four in ten have indicated they would not take issue with purchasing potentially stolen goods if the price was suitable.

Most common amongst stolen goods sold online are electronic devices such as iPods, mobile phones and laptops, with DVDs and computer games popular counterfeits.

Over half (52%) of shoppers said that value for money came ahead of legitimacy for them when shopping over the festive season.

Experts have said that countries with reputations for illegal online sales include China, Romania and Nigeria.

Purchasing illegal goods is inadvisable for a number of reasons. Any such goods will not be covered by home insurance, and by buying them shoppers are encouraging criminal activity, burglary and theft.

LV=’s home insurance MD John O’Roarke has urged shoppers to think twice before purchasing potentially stolen goods, which only encourages the black market.