Apple iPhone users are urged to check their chargers.
iPhone owners in the UK have been sent an urgent notice that could put them at serious risk if ignored. The warning was issued by Electrical Safety First (ESF), which expressed concern about the increasing number of counterfeit chargers flooding the market.
The point of this warning is that many of these batteries contain metal weights to make them look more realistic.
It used to be fairly easy to tell if a plug was fake based on its weight. Official Apple accessories are almost always heavier due to the quality materials used in their manufacture. Counterfeit plugs don’t have the same build quality, but scammers seem to have started using clever tricks to convince users that their fake chargers are genuine.
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Although weight gain may not seem like a big deal, it can be extremely dangerous.
“This adapter has sufficient separation between the internal components to ensure that the incoming 240 volts from the mains power supply do not reach the USB output socket used to charge your device,” explains Electrical Safety First.
The ESF study found that metal weights seriously disrupt electrical separation, putting the unsuspecting user at risk of being exposed to very dangerous levels of voltage. This could result in a nasty electric shock.
Of the 22 samples out of 116 that were subjected to additional internal analysis, 68% were found to contain metal weights. These weights also pose a risk of short-circuiting the device and increasing the likelihood of fire.
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“Often the dangers of counterfeits and poor quality analogues are completely hidden within the plastic casing of the adapter, so users are unaware of how poorly made the device was. Consumers often unknowingly use poor quality or counterfeit devices until they stop working or, worse, cause an incident such as electric shock or fire,” adds Luke Osborne of Electrical Safety First.
Although such devices are much cheaper, purchasing a counterfeit adapter is a bad decision.
If you have concerns, it's best to stick with accessories exclusively from Apple or one of the recommended third-party vendors, such as Belkin or Anker.
In response to the report from Electrical Safety First, Apple said: “The safety of our customers is our highest priority, and the risks associated with counterfeit products can be extremely serious.
“We have a dedicated team of experts who work continuously with law enforcement, merchants, social media companies and e-commerce platforms around the world to stop the production, distribution and sale of counterfeit products.
“Every year, we remove more than a million listings for counterfeit and fake Apple products from online marketplaces. To ensure you are purchasing a genuine product, we recommend purchasing directly from Apple or an Apple Authorized Distributor.”
How to spot a fake Apple power adapter:
Pins: The quality of the pins' finish and material is another clear sign that the product is counterfeit or of low quality. The pins' finish on the genuine charger is high-quality, matte, and uniform. On counterfeit adapters, the finish is usually glossy or shiny with surface imperfections.
Text and Labeling: Look for poor labeling and typos. Genuine Apple adapters have a clear Apple logo and clear text. Genuine Apple labels are neat and easy to read. Many of the counterfeits and look-alikes we tested had poor or unclear logos and labels.
Online Listings: Sellers of legitimate branded products should not overemphasize the authenticity of the product. Online listings that exaggerate the authenticity of the product should be treated with caution.
Sourse: www.mirror.co.uk
