This article, how to avoid purchasing counterfeit
electronic saw first print on saveonenergy.com
by Terri Williams |
Counterfeit electronics have always been popular. While
footwear, clothing, and leather goods are the most counterfeited products, electrical
machinery, and electronic products take fourth place, according to Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL).
From fake smoke alarms and batteries to counterfeit ground
fault receptacles, this problem is both expensive and dangerous. Here is what
you should know about purchasing counterfeit electronics.
What are common types of counterfeit electronics?
One example includes counterfeit lithium-ion cells and
batteries. According to UL, through 2020, these items resulted in approximately
$1.82 trillion in global economic damage. This includes more than $323 billion
in online counterfeiting, and 2.5 million jobs lost globally.
According to Brett Brenner of ESFI, there are also
other problems with purchasing these types of fake items. “Counterfeit
electronics have not been tested by Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories
(NRTLs) and are therefore unsafe and can pose hazards to yourself and your
home,” he says. “Electronics with NRTL certification undergo independent
testing to ensure they are safe with proper use and are free of recognized
hazards that could cause injury or death.”
In the case of counterfeit lithium-ion cells and batteries,
the UL reports that these items cause $125 million in medical costs treating
product-related injuries each year. That’s because these counterfeit items can
cause extreme heat, smoke, electrolyte leaks, and fires.
“Avoid purchasing products without NRTL certification, as
they may not be designed to meet applicable industry standards,” Brenner
advises.
Popular items lead to more counterfeit products on the
market
Another common example of counterfeit electronics is fake
iPhone adaptors. Apple’s iPhones are the most popular smartphones on the
market, but they’re also the most expensive. This leads consumers to search for
less expensive accessories whenever possible – and that’s what makes
counterfeit iPhone adaptors a lucrative business.
UL researchers tested 400 counterfeit iPhone adaptors –
which they were able to identify by the unauthorized UL certification markers.
These fake adaptors came from several different countries, including the U.S.,
Canada, Australia, China, and Thailand.
The tests revealed a 99 percent failure rate for the
counterfeit phone adaptors. And several reports from around the world have also
supported UL’s findings.
In one well-publicized story in 2013, a man in Thailand was
electrocuted, and in a separate incident a few months earlier, a Chinese woman
was electrocuted. Both victims died, both were on their phone while it was
charging, and both incidents were blamed on unofficial iPhone chargers.
In 2018, a woman in Brazil was found dead wearing her
headphones while her phone was charging. The brand of her phone was not
disclosed, but it was believed that she was using a counterfeit charger.
Counterfeit electronics span across the tech industry
Counterfeits aren’t limited to Apple products. In 2019, a
man in Thailand was electrocuted and died while either talking on the phone or
listening to music as his Samsung phone was charged. Police officials cited a
faulty charger for his death.
In addition to batteries and phone chargers, there are other
counterfeit products that pose dangers. According to ESFI, cell phones make up
approximately one-third of the counterfeit consumer electronics that are seized
at U.S. borders.
“Any type of counterfeit electrical product poses
significant safety hazards and can cause deaths, injuries, and substantial
property loss in the home and the workplace if left undetected,” Brenner
explains. “The biggest risk for electrical counterfeits would be the fire risk
they pose.”
Whether it’s a phone charger or an extension code, a
counterfeit product can easily overheat, and Brenner says this can burn down
your home, and injure you or your family members. “Counterfeits could be made
from low-quality components or may not be what they seem, for example, a
circuit breaker not functioning how a real circuit breaker should,” says
Brenner.
Avoiding counterfeits
So, how can you ensure that you’re not purchasing
counterfeits? Brenner provides several tips:
- “Only
a mousetrap offers free cheese,” he says. So, if it looks and sounds too
good to be true – it probably is.
- “Only
purchase from trusted sources,” Brenner says. Buy your electronics from
official suppliers with a reliable reputation. It’s also a good idea to
avoid unverified third-party sellers on online marketplaces.
- “Check
electrical manufacturers’ websites to find authorized retailers and
dealers,” Brenner advises. These items may be more expensive, but they’re
less likely to break down or cause a fire or electrocution hazard.
- “Only
purchase items that have been tested and marked.” Look for indications
that the item has been tested by trusted sources in the industry.
- “Only
use licensed, insured, and bonded contractors that will stand behind their
work,” Brenner advises. Unfortunately, dishonest contractors will
use counterfeit products to increase their profit margin. However, when
you do business with reputable contractors, you can usually avoid these
tactics.
- “Products
and packaging with typos and misspellings have a high likelihood of being
counterfeit,” Brenner says. Legitimate companies are more likely to use
professional product packaging that was written and designed by a team of
experts.
Terri Williams is a freelance
journalist with bylines at The Economist, USA Today, Yahoo, the Houston
Chronicle, and U.S. News & World Report. Connect with her on Twitter or LinkedIn.
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