I’m a tech pro and here are 3 signs your iPhone cable might be killing you

A TECH security guru is urging iPhone users to keep their eyes peeled for dodgy charging cables.

Giuseppe Capanna of UK charity Electrical Safety First warned that counterfeit chargers pose a risk of fire or serious electrocution.

3

Speaking to the Sun this week, he shared some of the telltale signs your device could be a deathtrap.

“Counterfeit iPhone chargers are intentionally made to look identical or similar to a genuine product, usually with the aim of deceiving consumers,” Guiseppe said.

“Counterfeit products often consist of inferior components that put the buyer at risk.

“They pose a particularly insidious threat to the consumer, undermining legitimate manufacturers and retailers, while often posing a risk of fire, severe electrocution or even electrocution.”

Fake iPhone cables fall into two categories: fake and uncertified accessories.

A fake is a cheap product dressed up as if it was made by Apple.

Non-certified accessories are manufactured by third parties without the consent of the iPhone manufacturer.

In general, if you buy a cheap cable from a reputable retailer that is certified by Apple, the product is safe.

Counterfeit and uncertified cables, on the other hand, can be dangerous.

They have been blamed on numerous occasions for dangerous explosions, fatal electrocutions and house fires.

And an ESF investigation previously found that up to 98 percent of counterfeit Apple cables put consumers at risk.

The best way to make sure you’re not being sold a counterfeit is to buy directly from Apple or from a reputable High Street retailer, Guiseppe, ESF’s product safety engineer, told The Sun.

However, if you’ve bought one from a discount store or online marketplace and are unsure if it’s fake, there are a number of obvious clues to look for.

1. Check packaging and cables

With Apple charging up to £29 for a charging cable on its website, it’s understandable that some consumers would want to shop elsewhere.

If you buy a third-party cable, make sure it’s Apple-certified by looking closely at the accessory’s packaging.

Certified third-party accessories carry Apple’s MFi badge on the box that says “Made for iPod, iPhone, iPad.”

Also, look for missing markings or misspellings in the text on the cable, Guiseppe said.

“This is the easiest way to spot a fake – but be careful as counterfeit products are becoming more sophisticated.”

3

3

2. Look at the plug

It’s a good idea to compare your charger to one made by Apple. Counterfeit accessories tend to feel thinner and lighter in the hand.

This allows you to test the connector’s pins for signs of a counterfeit product.

Guiseppe said: “Our tests have shown that the pins on counterfeit plugs are much weaker than required by law.

“That’s typically because it’s metal-coated hollow plastic and not the solid metal used in original products.

“A simple check is to just flick the largest pen and listen for the sound it makes.

“A real plug sounds and feels solid, while counterfeit products make a ‘plastic’ sound and feel hollow.”

In addition, the paint on the connector housing can indicate a fake.

“The finish of a real charger is high quality, matte and uniform,” explains Guiseppe.

“For counterfeit chargers, the surface is usually shiny or shiny with imperfections.”

3. Weight, shape and dimensions

It’s also worth taking a look at the item’s weight and connector pins.

A counterfeit product is lighter than an official Apple product and the pens may be the wrong size or shape.

Guiseppe said: “Because counterfeit chargers contain few, if any, of the higher quality components required for security, they are usually significantly lighter than genuine chargers. The charger should weigh approximately 40g.

“The connector pins on a counterfeit Apple iPhone charger may be larger or smaller than a real one and may be positioned in a different location.

“The easiest way to check this is to use Electrical Safety First connector testing tool.”

• Read the latest phone and gadget news
• Stay up to date on Apple stories
• Get the latest on Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online Tech & Science Team? Email us at tech@the-sun.co.uk