Fake phone chargers sold on UK platforms pose safety hazards

Potentially lethal counterfeit phone chargers are being sold on major online marketplaces in the UK, posing risks of electrocution, fire, and explosion, according to a new investigation by consumer group Which?. The findings, released on June 10, 2026, reveal that dangerous products remain widely available seven years after the group first raised alarms about the issue.

Which? purchased 15 USB chargers from seven online platforms, including Amazon, eBay, AliExpress, BQ Marketplace, Debenhams Marketplace, Amazon Haul, Shein, and Temu. Nine of the chargers were so poorly manufactured that they presented an immediate risk of electric shock to users. Eight of those also carried severe fire and explosion hazards. All 15 devices lacked essential safety information on packaging or documentation, rendering their sale illegal in the UK.

Among the hazardous products was a charger sold on eBay for £11.99, marked with the Apple logo but found to be a dangerous fake. Inside its casing, researchers discovered a lump of modelling clay, believed to be used to mimic the weight of a genuine product. A customer review on the listing stated the charger had overloaded and ruined their iPad and...