CITY of York Trading Standards is often at its busiest in the festive season investigating scams and cons that can spoil many people's Christmas.

Make sure you protect yourself from the pitfalls of Christmas shopping. The top ten tips from City of York's Consumer Advice team:

1) Buy from reputable traders - suitcase salesmen, car boot sellers or the "temporary" high street trader are unlikely to be around when you find your purchase is not what it seemed.

2) Don't buy counterfeit goods - beware of cheap copies of DVD or CDs or counterfeit computer games which may not work or carry viruses which can paralyse an expensive computer. Counterfeiting and piracy cheats consumers, retailers, manufacturers and the Exchequer, and often funds criminal activity.

3) Keep your receipt - if it doesn't fit, doesn't suit or simply goes wrong then you'll need proof of purchase. Remember though you are only entitled to a refund if goods are faulty, misdescribed or not fit for the purpose made known to the retailer.

4) Check the age range of toys - the box or the label should show if the toy is safe for the age group you have in mind. If it doesn't don't take a risk, but buy something else.

5) Check your change - crowded pub, busy shop? Take time to check you haven't been short changed and watch out for pickpockets.

6) Beware the hi-tech and small ads cons - Christmas is the time when dodgy traders turn to the internet and newspaper classifieds. Remember that those great bargains you have seen on the internet might not appear and buying from a private seller leaves you with fewer rights.

7) Know your rights - you are legally entitled to expect goods to be of satisfactory quality, fit for the purpose as described. If they are not and they are returned within a reasonable time you are entitled to your money back.

8) Can you afford it? - watch out for loan sharks as illegal money lending can lead to extortionate interest rates which guarantee a nightmare in the New Year. Don't be tempted to buy on credit if you can't pay it back.

9) Shop around - beware impulse buys, compare prices and check after-sales service.

10) New Year sales - you have exactly the same rights with sale goods as goods bought at any other time. Signs which say No Refunds On Sale Goods are breaking the law. However, if the defects are pointed out to you before you purchase an item you are deemed to have accepted it.

Following this advice could well prevent your Christmas shopping turning into a New Year nightmare. If things do go wrong consumer advisers at City of York Council are available to offer advice on how to put things right. Telephone 01904 551562 for advice or an appointment.

Updated: 08:40 Thursday, December 18, 2003