A UK safety alert has urged people to stop using four types of phone chargers immediately after multiple test buys found life‑threatening faults. Here’s what’s been flagged, how to spot a risky plug in 30 seconds, and what to do today.
A faint warmth bled through the cheap white brick in the socket, the kind you buy late at night because it’s fast and under a tenner. The LED glowed a bit too bright, a little too eager, while the case turned soft under the thumb. It smelled sweet and faintly of burning dust. You don’t plan for that on an ordinary Wednesday.
Four chargers under the spotlight
UK safety watchdogs have issued an urgent warning about four charger designs now common on online marketplaces and pop‑up stalls. The first is the “20W fast charger” brick with a USB‑C port and flimsy three‑pin plug, often unbranded, shipped in a bag with no manual. The second is a magnetic wireless pad styled for snap‑on charging, sold with a thin wall plug that runs hot at low loads. Third is the high‑wattage 45–65W multi‑port block, sometimes labelled “GaN” but missing basic protective components. The fourth is the fold‑up “travel charger” with clip‑on pin modules and no visible fuse.
Here’s what that looks like in real life. A dad in Salford told us his £6 “20W” charger gave a sharp pop and scorched a bedside table the first week he used it. Friends had the same model, identical right down to the misspelled printing and the fake “UKCA” logo. Local Trading Standards officers say this pattern repeats: a bargain listing, a name you’ve never heard of, and internal wiring that wouldn’t pass a classroom test. Consumer groups and councils routinely buy these units for lab checks, and a worrying share fail even basic insulation and pin strength criteria. When the pins bend, the story usually ends with a blown fuse—if you’re lucky.
Why these four? Because they share the same weakest links. No genuine BS 1363 fuse in the plug, or a fuse that’s more wish than metal. Primary and secondary circuits sitting too close, so a surge can jump the gap and energise your phone—or your hand. Undersized components that overheat during “fast” charging, then soften the case until the pins wobble in the socket. Fake compliance markings, missing manufacturer details, and no UK address for redress. That’s not a quirk; it’s a pattern. And it’s the kind of pattern that turns a bedside routine into a 3am emergency.
How to spot a risky charger in 30 seconds
Start with the plug. UK three‑pin plugs must contain a replaceable fuse, clearly marked 3A or 13A, and the earth pin should be partially sleeved. The pins should be solid, not wobbly, with neat, even spacing and no sharp burrs. Look for a UKCA mark, the BS number (BS 1363 for plugs; BS EN 62368‑1 for the power supply), a model number, rated voltage/current, and a real company name and UK contact details. If any of that is missing or looks like gibberish, that’s your cue to bin it.
Now listen and feel. Plug it in with no phone attached and touch the case after five minutes—warm is one thing; uncomfortably hot is a red flag. A faint hiss, a squeal, or a buzzy LED shows poor build and leaking current. Let’s be honest: no one really inspects plug pins every week. So keep it simple—charge on a hard surface, not under a pillow, and avoid multi‑socket towers stacked with adapters. If you see scorch marks, smell chemicals, or the cable sheath looks shiny and brittle, you’ve found trouble.
For the four flagged types, use this quick triage.
“If a charger has no proper fuse, no clear markings, and runs hot at low load, stop using it immediately and report it,” a senior Trading Standards officer told us.
- Unbranded “20W USB‑C” bricks: no fuse label, misspelled text, plastic pins that flex.
- Magnetic pads with a slim wall plug: pad gets hot fast, plug is light as a toy.
- High‑watt multi‑port blocks: boasts huge wattage, but no BS standard or UK address.
- Fold‑up travel chargers: clip‑on pins, no visible fuse, wobbly mechanism.
What to do right now—and what to buy next
Unplug the suspect charger and photograph it: front, back, markings, and the plug pins. Check your order history for the seller name and listing URL. If purchased in the UK, you’re covered by consumer law—request a refund and state that the product appears unsafe and non‑compliant. Report the listing via the marketplace’s “unsafe product” option and file a short report with Citizens Advice, which passes details to Trading Standards. If there’s a burning smell, discolouration, or damage to the socket, stop using that outlet and speak to a qualified electrician.
Replacing it? Stick to the phone maker or a reputable brand with clear UK support. For iPhone, look for MFi‑certified fast chargers and USB‑IF certified cables. For Android, a 20–30W charger from a known brand is fine for daily use; only step up to 45–65W if your device explicitly supports it. Don’t chase “100W” bricks for a handset—it won’t charge faster, it will just run hotter. Buy from the manufacturer, a trusted retailer, or the brand’s UK store page. Keep the box and receipt in case the product is recalled later. You’ll thank yourself the first time something feels off.
We’ve all lived that moment where a bargain find makes you feel like you beat the system. **A £6 brick is not worth a 999 call.** If money’s tight, set a basic rule: the charger should have a BS‑listed plug, a fuse rating, a real company name, and a UK address you can look up. **If a charger is hot to the touch, stop using it now.** And for sanity’s sake, don’t charge on the bed or sofa. **Safety beats speed every time.**
There’s a deeper story here—how a tiny plastic block moved from “harmless accessory” to “household risk” almost overnight. The answer lies in small design choices: a shaved penny on insulation, a skipped test on thermal runaway, a copied mark on a glossy box. Marketplace algorithms reward speed and price. Counterfeiters copy the look faster than regulators can chase. That’s why the call this week is so blunt: stop using these four designs and take a minute to check the rest. Share the pictures with your group chat, talk to the person in your life who still charges under a pillow, and nudge a refund request if you need to. The difference between a near miss and a headline often lives in the details you can see with your own eyes.
| Key point | Detail | Interest for the reader |
|---|---|---|
| The four risky designs | Unbranded 20W bricks, magnetic pads with flimsy plugs, high‑watt multi‑port blocks without standards, fold‑up travel chargers lacking fuses | Instant recognition of what to unplug today |
| 30‑second safety check | Look for BS 1363 fuse, UKCA mark, real manufacturer details, correct temperature and stable pins | Simple method to avoid shock and fire |
| What to do if you own one | Unplug, document, request refund, report to Citizens Advice/marketplace, replace with certified brand | Clear steps to protect your home and your rights |
FAQ :
- Which four chargers should I stop using?Unbranded “20W” USB‑C bricks with no proper markings, magnetic snap‑on pads sold with ultra‑slim hot‑running plugs, high‑wattage multi‑port blocks missing BS/UKCA details, and fold‑up travel chargers with clip‑on pins and no visible fuse.
- How can I tell if my charger is compliant?Check for a BS 1363‑fused UK plug, UKCA mark, model number, rated output, and a genuine manufacturer name with a UK contact address. Pins should be solid, evenly spaced, and partly sleeved on the earth pin.
- Is wireless charging safer than wired?Not automatically. A poorly made wireless pad can overheat or leak current. Choose a reputable brand and pair it with a certified wall adapter.
- Can I get a refund for a dangerous charger?Yes. Under UK consumer law you can seek a refund for unsafe or non‑compliant goods. Use your order history, include photos, and reference safety concerns. Section 75 or chargeback may help for card purchases.
- Should I charge my phone overnight?If you do, keep the charger on a hard surface away from bedding, use a certified adapter and cable, and make sure nothing gets warm to the touch. Unplug if you notice heat, smell, or discoloration.
Do you have a list of specific model numbers or seller names to avoid, or is this striclty about generic designs? I’ve got a 65W multi‑port with UKCA—nervous now.