Counterfeit BlackBerry®-branded cell phone batteries in refurbished devices

CPSC Recall #10-752 — August 9, 2010

Recall Summary

Recall Number10-752
Recall DateAugust 9, 2010
Remedy TypeReplace
Units AffectedAbout 470,000

Where It Was Sold

Asurion as part of their handset protection claim program nationwide from March 2004 through October 2009.

Product

Counterfeit BlackBerry®-branded cell phone batteries in refurbished devices

Description

The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC. Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.Name of Product: Counterfeit BlackBerry®-branded cell phone batteries in refurbished devicesUnits: About 470,000Distributor: Asurion, of Smyrna, Tenn.Hazard: The counterfeit batteries can overheat, posing burn and fire hazards.Incidents/Injuries: Asurion has received two reports of counterfeit BlackBerry®-branded batteries overheating, causing minor burns to a consumer's finger and minor property damage to a sofa and car seat.Description: This recall involves only BlackBerry®-branded batteries provided with refurbished Blackberry®-branded devices. The refurbished devices were sent to consumers by Asurion through a handset protection program. The batteries were used across virtually all models of refurbished BlackBerry devices distributed by Asurion prior to November 1, 2009. Genuine Blackberry-branded batteries are not included in this recall. No other Asurion or BlackBerry products are involved in this recall.Distributed through: Asurion as part of their handset protection claim program nationwide from March 2004 through October 2009.Manufactured in: UnknownRemedy: Consumers who received refurbished BlackBerry devices through Asurion prior to November 1, 2009 should immediately stop using the product and contact Asurion for a replacement product. Asurion is directly contacting known consumers with the affected batteries to notify them of this recall.Consumer Contact: For more information, contact Asurion toll-free at (866) 384-9175 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website at www.001batex.com.

Hazard

The counterfeit batteries can overheat, posing burn and fire hazards.

Incidents & Injuries

Asurion has received two reports of counterfeit BlackBerry®-branded batteries overheating, causing minor burns to a consumer's finger and minor property damage to a sofa and car seat.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers who received refurbished BlackBerry devices through Asurion prior to November 1, 2009 should immediately stop using the product and contact Asurion for a replacement product. Asurion is directly contacting known consumers with the affected batteries to notify them of this recall.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Replace at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Replace) at no cost to you.

If the product caused a fire or burn injury, document the incident with photos and preserve the product if it is safe to do so. Report the incident to the CPSC at SaferProducts.gov and to your local fire department. Contact the manufacturer to inform them of the incident — they are required to track and report injuries to CPSC. You may also want to consult a personal injury attorney, as fire and burn injuries caused by defective products can be grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer.

In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.

If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.