Millions of Apple customers told to check their charger over fire hazard warning – stop using it right now
MILLIONS of Apple customers have been told to check their charger over a fire hazard warning – and, if they have one specific model, stop using it straight away.
Electronics company Belkin has recalled the product over fears that the devices are at risk of overheating.
The Belkin BoostCharge Pro Fast Wireless Charger for Apple Watch + Power Bank 10K has a manufacturing defect which could cause the lithium cell component to overheat, according to the company.
In a statement posted on its website, Belkin advised customers to check for model number BPD005 to see whether they have the potentially faulty charger – which is specifically for the smart watches, rather than iPhones.
It then warned any owners to follow precise instructions in order to prevent further risk – including how to dispose of it.
The statement read: “It is important that you immediately stop using it, disconnect it from any power supply or other products, and contact us for further instructions.
“Place your BPD005 in a safe, dry location away from anything flammable or anything that can damage the power bank.
“Do not place your power bank into any trash or recycling bins.”
It added that no injuries had yet been reported as a result of the product, with the voluntary recall being precautionary.
The company will offer a full refund to any purchasers – details of which can be found on its website.
The portable wireless charger was previously on sale for £99.99, but has now been removed from the site.
It comes after Android and iPhone owners were warned of a new money scam that could rinse their bank accounts.
The scam, dubbed “Ghost Tap”, involves cybercriminals cloning cards linked to Google Pay and Apple Pay, experts warned.
They are then able to relay victims’ card data to money mules worldwide, who can withdraw cash without a credit card or device even going missing.
And The Sun exclusively revealed how millions of users of the Bluesky app, dubbed the new Twitter, were also being targeted by cybercrooks.
However, WhatsApp users were pleased to discover a free upgrade that makes voice note chats much easier in a noisy environment.
The Meta-owned messenger, used by roughly two billion people worldwide, has introduced a transcription feature that spells out exactly what the audio message says.
Once you long-press a voice note, a transcription will be tucked underneath that you can read instead of listen to.
And these voice notes are end-to-end encrypted, meaning the company cannot actually hear or read the contents of the message.
What should you do if you have the Belkin BoostCharge Pro Fast Wireless Charger for Apple Watch + Power Bank 10K?
- Stop using the charger immediately
- Disconnect it from any power supply or other products
- Store it in a safe, dry area away from anything flammable
- Do not throw it in the bin
- To get a refund, visit: https://belkin.my.salesforce-sites.com/caforms/bpd005LanguageChoice