Beware, Fake Apple Chargers Fail Safety Tests

You know those cheap cell phone chargers that we’ve all purchased at some time or another, trying to save money? Yes, the chargers on Amazon, Ebay, and etc. that look like the real thing, but the price is too good to be true. According to CNET.com, You might want to be careful using those knock off chargers, because a recent study conducted in the UK says hundreds of cournterfiet Apple chargers are in fact dangerous, “failing basic safety test.”

A study published by UK business watchdog Trading Standards Friday claimed that 99 percent of counterfeit Apple chargers bought online fail a basic safety test.

Investigators purchased 400 Apple chargers from different retailers around the world over the internet and put them through the tests that they would need to pass in order to be sold in shops in the UK. In all, 397 chargers failed. - Cnet.com

Apple recently filed a lawsuit against sellers who use Amazon to sell fake chargers, and 90 percent of the chargers sold were found to be counterfeit. Apple does provide a guide to purchasing a safe charger for your devices, or they recommend you buy it directly from them or a reputable retailer. Get ready to pay an arm and a leg, but you won’t have to worry about your charger burning down your home of place of work.

Honestly, I know we’re talking about the Apple chargers, but from someone who’s owned both Apple and Android devices, I’d take a wild guess that this information could apply to all aftermarket phone chargers. I’ve purchased some seemingly nice chargers for last LG cell phone, and as fancy as they looked they didn’t last a month. They unraveled quickly showing signs of potential danger if you came into contact with the exposed wiring. Just something to think about.

Read more at CNET.com, where they also show you how to spot fake Apple chargers, and more.