All iPhone and Android users are being urged to make one simple check as a worrying risk has been confirmed. A new report suggests that cheap phone chargers are still on sale from major retailers, potentially putting users at risk.
Cheap Chargers: A Tempting but Dangerous Option
With official charging plugs from brands like Apple starting at £20, it is no surprise that consumers search for cheaper ways to recharge their devices. Unofficial plugs can be found for under £8 on online marketplaces such as Amazon, well under half the price of buying from an Apple or Samsung store. However, this low cost comes with a worrying warning.
Consumer group Which? says people are putting themselves at risk by not sticking to premium accessories made by trusted manufacturers. To highlight the dangers, Which? purchased a number of chargers from places such as Amazon (including Amazon Haul), AliExpress, B&Q Marketplace, Debenhams Marketplace, and eBay.
Shocking Findings
The team said they were shocked to discover that nine of the battery boosters were so badly manufactured that anyone using them was at risk of receiving an electric shock. Eight of the chargers also posed fire and explosion risks.
In another worrying development, Which? bought an ‘Apple’ USB-C 35W Power Adaptor charger for £11.99. The consumer group said the box was marked with the famous Apple logo, but testing revealed it was a cheap and dangerous fake.
Other concerns included chargers that lacked the required safety markings for use in the UK, as well as others whose electrical circuitry was too close together. This could lead to fires and even an explosion.
Online Marketplaces Under Fire
Phone chargers are the latest in a long line of dangerous products from online stores that Which? has exposed. The consumer champion first informed online marketplaces that they were selling dangerous chargers in 2019. Now Which? is campaigning, alongside a coalition of safety groups and responsible UK businesses, for tough new laws to make online marketplaces responsible for ensuring the safety of products listed on their sites.
“Badly designed electricals like these can have life-altering - even fatal - consequences. Online marketplaces have known about the danger of knock off chargers for the better part of a decade, but consumers continue to be placed at risk,” said Sue Davies, Which? Head of Consumer Protection Policy.
“The government must urgently use the new powers it has under the Product Regulation and Metrology Act to update product safety legislation and impose a clear legal duty on online marketplaces for ensuring the safety of products sold through their third-party sellers, with tough enforcement for those that fall short. By making online marketplaces legally responsible for unsafe products, the government can set a world-leading standard for product safety in the digital age.”
Retailers Respond
In response to the claims, an Amazon spokesperson said: “Customer safety is a top priority at Amazon and we have partnered with Electrical Safety First to provide customers with easy-to-understand expert tips on charging devices safely. We require all products offered in our store to comply with applicable laws, regulations, Amazon policies, and we monitor for product safety concerns. We’ve removed the highlighted items. We proactively monitor our store for safety alerts and product recalls and remove relevant products and email customers who purchased them. If we discover a product was undetected by our automated checks, we address the issue immediately and refine our controls. If customers have concerns about an item they’ve purchased, we encourage them to contact our Customer Service directly so we can investigate and help resolve their issue.”
A B&Q spokesperson added: “We take the safety of products sold by sellers at B&Q Marketplace very seriously and proactively check to ensure no products subject to an OPSS recall are offered for sale.”
Advice for Consumers
For now, the advice is clear: only buy chargers from official sellers or trusted brands such as Apple, Belkin, Anker, and Samsung. Yes, they will be more expensive, but opting for a cheaper option is not worth the risk.
