iPhone users have been issued with an urgent alert that could put their devices at risk.
According to Electrical Safety First (ESF), counterfeit chargers are on the rise and becoming harder to spot.
You might think a fake charger is just a cheaper version of a branded one - but they're actually a lot more dangerous.
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Whilst counterfeit chargers cost less, they also don’t meet UK safety standards and can cause serious injury or damage.
In the past, it was easy to tell a fake charger from a real one. For example, Apple’s official accessories tend to be heavier due to the premium materials used. A genuine Apple charger contains 'over 60 individual components, while a counterfeit contains an average of just 25,' the electrical experts described. But now, fraudsters are adding metal weights inside their chargers, making it much easier to convince customers what they're buying is the real deal.
"Within a genuine adapter there is sufficient separation between internal components to ensure that the incoming 240 volts from the mains electricity supply does not come into contact with the USB output connector, the end used to charge your device," ESF explained.
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The company's investigation found that many of these fake chargers compromise this electrical separation, leaving the user at serious risk of electric shock. 22 of the 116 charges underwent further internal investigation, where 68% of them were found to contain metal weights. These weights can cause short circuits in the device, increasing the chances of overheating, sparking and fire.
“Often with counterfeits and substandard lookalikes the dangers are entirely hidden within the plastic mould of the adapter, so consumers are none the wiser as to how little care has been given to manufacturing the device," ESF's Luke Osborne added. "It is not uncommon for substandard or fake devices to be used unknowingly by consumers until they either stop working or worse, cause an incident such as an electric shock or fire.”
iPhone and Android users are being advised to stay away from these illegitimate charges.
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If you’re unsure whether your charger is genuine, stick to buying from Apple or authorised third-party brands like Belkin or Anker.
Meanwhile, Apple addressed the problem in the charger market, stating that customer safety is their 'first priority.' The company stated: "The safety of our customers is our first priority, and the risks associated with counterfeit products can be very serious."
They added that they have a 'dedicated team of experts constantly working with law enforcement, merchants, social media companies and e-commerce sites around the world' to crack down on fake products.
"Every year, we remove more than one million listings for counterfeit and fake Apple products from online marketplaces," the tech giant highlighted. "To make sure you’re purchasing a genuine product, we recommend buying directly from Apple or an Apple authorised distributor.”