PEOPLE who unwrapped a brand new phone under the Christmas tree have been warned about a common mistake that can be extremely dangerous.
Whether you use an old charging cable or buy a new one online, the wrong choice could result in an explosion or electrocution.
Some 1.8 million phone chargers are bought online in the UK each year, according to the charity Electrical Safety First.
And while it might be tempting to buy a cheap one, you should think twice because counterfeit chargers can be deadly.
The charity tested a number of fake chargers and found that almost all of them (98%) were likely to cause a fatal electric shock or start a fire.
Not only is it potentially deadly, but it can also kill your Android device or iPhone.
They also tend to be weaker, meaning it will take longer to charge your phone.
Electrical safety above all claims dangerous devices are often made in China for as little as 3p.
These usually have poor quality components and may be missing essential parts like a fuse.
A real iPhone charger contains more than 60 components, but counterfeits can be found with less than half that.
“Fake chargers can cause devices to overheat or even explode, totaling your phone – and possibly causing you serious injury,” the charity warns.
“The low-quality components that are often used in fake chargers can lead to electrocution, fry the internal workings of your phone and also leave you quite exhausted.”
They suggest first of all checking if you can plug it into the wall correctly – if it doesn’t fit correctly, the pins may be the wrong size and therefore dangerous.
You should also look for important details such as a brand name or logo, model and batch number, and the CE or UKCA mark that all trusted electronic accessories carry.
However, do not rely solely on a CE or UKCA mark as a guarantee of safety, as these can be easily falsified.
People should also check that the voltage and current rating matches that of your phone.
“A third of people who purchased a fake electrical appliance purchased the product from an online marketplace,” explains Electrical Safety First.
“Electrical Safety First recommends purchasing from a retailer you trust, either directly from the manufacturer’s website or from a reputable name. The products they sell will meet the appropriate safety standards , but if something goes wrong, you can return the product for repair or a refund.”
YOUR RIGHTS TO REIMBURSEMENT
Sun readers’ champion Mel Hunter explains where you stand.
If a purchase is unsuccessful, you are entitled to a refund.
The Consumer Rights Act states that the goods you pay for must be of satisfactory quality, as described, fit for purpose and last a reasonable time.
If they fail one of these tests, it’s tempting to go directly to the manufacturer. But the responsibility lies with the store you bought them from. Don’t let yourself be fooled.
You may find that retail staff don’t know the rules or don’t enforce them, so go ahead armed with your rights.
You only have 30 days to reject a defective product and get your money back.
After that, the retailer has the option to repair the item.
There is no automatic right to return an item to a store if you have simply changed your mind.
In practice, however, many stores have a return policy, according to which you can take back your purchase within a specific period.
Whether they offer a refund, exchange or voucher is entirely up to the retailer. It’s different if you bought it online.
Then you automatically have 14 days from delivery of the goods to return the product and get a full refund.
If you opt for click and collect, you have the same rights as anyone buying on the internet.
What happens if your package doesn’t arrive?
When the problem first arises, it may save you time to contact the delivery company to see if they can find out where your missing item is.
But it’s still the retailer’s responsibility to deliver your goods to you, so insist that they take care of the sorting.
