In a study published by a UK watchdog Trading Standards, it was claimed that approximately 99 percent of the counterfeit Apple chargers being sold online has failed the safety tests conducted. This has raised the alarm as the use of these fake Apple accessories could potentially exposed its buyer to risks of injury.
According to CNET, investigators bought around 400 Apple chargers from online retailers from different parts of the world. They then put these counterfeit chargers to several tests to determine if these products can be sold in the UK. The result was overwhelming, with 397 chargers failed the conducted test.
"Criminals across the globe are using online platforms to lure you in with cheap deals for fake items, many of which are dangerous and have been known to overheat and cause house fires," said Lord Toby Harris, chairman of the Trading Standards, in an issued statement.
It could be remembered that Apple has filed lawsuits against several defendants, alleging that the latter have infringed its trademarks and copyrights by selling counterfeit chargers, adapters, and other Apple products in Amazon and Groupon.
According to complaint filed by Apple, almost nine out of 10 Apple-branded products being sold on Amazon were fake, Mac Rumors reported. Apple said the these counterfeit products pose a significant danger to consumers' safety because these products lack adequate insulation between low voltage and high voltage circuits, creating high risks of overheating, fire, and electrical shock. The legal complaint said:
The safety of Apple's customers is of paramount importance to Apple, and Apple devotes significant resources to ensuring its power products meet industry safety standards and are subjected to rigorous testing for safety and reliability. Apple brings this suit to stop Mobile Star from any further distribution of counterfeit Apple products to the public.
With the given risks, it would then be best for consumers to buy Apple products and accessories in reputable vendors or authorized Apple resellers. Apple has already released guidelines for consumers for them to detect bogus and counterfeit products without the need of certain expert opinion.