Warning: Do not buy these iPhone chargers

There’s a new warning about counterfeit iPhone chargers after an investigation found that 99% of them failed a basic safety test. 

According to the new report from UL, an Illinois-based safety consulting and certification company, counterfeits aren’t designed to meet industry safety standards and lack the safety features to protect users from danger.

Fake iPhone chargers have 99% failure rate

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In a test of 400 counterfeit iPhone adapters, all but three failed basic safety tests and were considered “fire and shock hazards.” In fact, UL said that 12 of the adapters posed a risk of lethal electrocution. 

Since the iPhone is so popular, there’s naturally going to be a demand for spare accessories, including chargers. Smartphone adapters from legitimate suppliers usually sell for around $20. But some of the knock-offs cost as little as a dollar, which should be the first red flag.

How to spot a fake

So how else can you spot a fake? It’s becoming harder to tell. A clear sign is the absence of a certification mark, such as a UL mark. However, some suppliers are putting counterfeit certification marks on the products, making it even more difficult for consumers to tell whether the adapter is legitimate or a fake. 

4 ways to identify a counterfeit iPhone adapter

• Color: All genuine UL certified Apple adapters are white.
• Printed text: Look for spelling mistakes or grammatical errors.
• Price: Genuine Apple iPhone adapters retail for $19. Beware of an unusually low price.
• Packaging: Genuine Apple adapters come in white Apple packaging and aren’t sold loose in bins.

Genuine iPhone adapter 

What you need to know

The bottom line is that you don’t want to risk injuring yourself or damaging your device by purchasing a counterfeit iPhone adapter, which really only saves you a few bucks in the first place. 

Your best bet is to purchase a UL certified adapter manufactured by Apple or a legitimate source.

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