- Criminals found to be adding metal weights inside a number of counterfeit adapters to dupe consumers
- 92% of all devices tested failed a critical safety test risking serious electric shock
- 116 UK & EU counterfeit and look-a-like Apple power adapters were tested
- Shoppers warned counterfeiters are working harder to deceive them
Producers of counterfeit power adapters are developing new and dangerous tactics to dupe consumers into thinking their product is genuine, experts reveal.
The warning comes as findings from a new report, assessing 116 UK & EU 20 watt counterfeit and look-alike Apple adapters revealed new ways criminals were actively seeking to subvert consumer suspicion to trick them into thinking the device was genuine.
Independent testing by Electrical Safety First of counterfeit and look-alike Apple power adapters revealed metal weights had been inserted into a number of the fakes to compensate for the missing weight that would usually be made up of genuine high-quality components, typically found in a genuine adapter.
Counterfeit adapters have often been found to be lighter in weight versus the genuine product, this is commonly due to cheap components criminals use inside the phone charger to cut costs. In some cases, it is not uncommon to find internal components to be missing entirely from inside the device.
The charity found these metal weights also posed a significant safety risk to the user.
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.
The investigation found these metal weights seriously compromised that electrical separation, meaning the consumer was at risk of coming into contact with a very harmful level of voltage. In some cases, the metal weight within the counterfeit charger made up a quarter of the overall weight of the product.
Of 22 samples of the 116 that underwent further internal investigation 68% were found to have metal weights inside. These metal weights also presented a risk of short circuiting the device increasing the risk of electric shock and fire.
“Criminal counterfeiters are doing everything they can to trick shoppers into thinking they’ve bagged a bargain, developing their tactics to avoid suspicion,” Luke Osborne, Deputy Technical Director at Electrical Safety First, commented. “Some of these new tactics are increasing the risk of electric shock and fire to the buyer including adding in metal weights to give the impression the adapter feels like a legitimate product. Criminals are working harder than ever to deceive consumers, with no regard for their safety in the process.”
The latest report, building on a 2017 report into counterfeit and lookalike Apple power adapters, tested 56 UK and 60 EU plug-in 20W USB-C chargers, in partnership with Apple.
These were split into two sub-categories; chargers identified as “counterfeit”, meaning counterfeit adapters marked with Apple’s trademarks intended to deceive customers, and falsely sold as genuine Apple adapters. Secondly, adapters identified as “look-alike”, meaning adapters which are not marked with Apple’s trademarks but which copy the design of a genuine Apple charger.
More poor quality manufacturing of these devices was prevalent through other safety tests carried out by Electrical Safety First.
A separate test was undertaken to determine the strength of the plug pins on the adapters to ensure they can withstand the stresses of normal use. Concerningly of the 56 UK counterfeit and look-alikes tested, 71% failed this test. Many of the plug pins snapped completely or became distorted during this strength test. In a daily use setting this could result in the plug pin becoming lodged in a socket outlet, seriously exposing the user to electric shock.
“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. 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,” Luke Osborne adds.
Internal insulation within a genuine adapter would ensure someone charging their device is not exposed to a mains supply level of voltage that could give them a serious electric shock. This critical safety test was carried out on the counterfeit and lookalike chargers, revealing 107 out of 116 samples tested failed (92%).
“Shoppers are being put at risk by knock off chargers risking fire and electric shock. As criminal operations producing counterfeits get smarter, the chances of shoppers falling foul to a dangerous counterfeit product grow,” said Osborne.” If you’re looking to bag an electronic bargain it has never been more important to stick to a reputable retailer or manufacturer in order to shield yourself and your loved ones from fakes that could risk your safety.”
How to spot a fake Apple power adapter:
Plug pins: Plug pin finish and its material is another obvious indicator that the product is either counterfeit or substandard. The finish on the plug pins on a genuine charger is high quality, matt, and uniform. On counterfeit adapters, the finish is usually glossy or shiny with surface imperfections.
Text and markings: Look out for poor-quality markings and spelling mistakes. Genuine Apple adapters have a solid Apple logo and well-defined wording. Genuine Apple markings are clean and legible. Many of the counterfeit and lookalike models inspected had poor or ill-defined logos and markings.
Online listings: Sellers of legitimate branded goods don’t need to over emphasise that the product is genuine. Online listings that overstate the authenticity of a product should be approached with caution.
Notes to editors:
- 116 samples were sourced by Apple that were confirmed to meet the criteria to be deemed either counterfeit or look-a-like. The sample base compromised of 56 UK and 60 EU plug-in 20W USB-C adapters.
- Whilst all samples were subject to various safety testing by Electrical Safety First, 22 were also internally examined. Of these 22 that were internally investigated, 68% were found to include metal weights inside – a new tactic used to deceive the consumer not previously seen by the charity before – also posing a risk to the users’ safety.
- Samples confirmed to be counterfeit or look-a-like by Apple were then handled independently by Electrical Safety First where the chargers were subject to a bespoke test programme, designed by ESF and Eurofins E&E, incorporating a variety of different tests designed to identify potential safety issues – in particular, those that may increase the risk of fire or electric shock to the user. The test criteria were developed with reference to the latest applicable product safety standards and The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016.
- Safety testing of the adapters was handled in isolation, independently, by Electrical Safety First.
- The adapters were obtained from a variety of sources, including several independent online retailers, a variety of major online marketplaces that are highly popular with consumers, and discount high street retailers, in both the UK and mainland Europe.