GPS2000 MobilePAL+GPS Safety and Security Phones
CPSC Recall #04-513 - November 17, 2003
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 04-513 |
| Recall Date | November 17, 2003 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
| Units Affected | 1,000 |
| Manufactured In | Japan |
Where It Was Sold
| SecureAlert and private security dealers nationwide from May 2003 through July 2003. |
Product
GPS2000 MobilePAL+GPS Safety and Security Phones
Description
In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), SecureAlert Inc., of Salt Lake City, Utah is voluntarily recalling 1,000 GPS2000 MobilePAL+GPS Safety and Security Phones. Using the test button can result in the battery being drained without the user's knowledge. Without battery power, the phone is unable to call for assistance in an emergency.Name of Product: GPS2000 MobilePAL+GPS Safety and Security PhonesUnits: 1,000Distributor: SecureAlert Inc., of Salt Lake City, UtahHazard: Using the test button can result in the battery being drained without the user's knowledge. Without battery power, the phone is unable to call for assistance in an emergency.Incidents/Injuries: SecureAlert has received 10 reports of batteries being exhausted as a result of this problem. No injuries have been reported.Description: This recall involves GPS2000 MobilePAL+GPS units with serial numbers between 08810948 and 08813447, which can be found on a label in the battery compartment. They are white phones with a red "call" button and a gray "test" button that notifies an emergency call center and can track callers using the Global Positioning System (GPS). "MobilePal+GPS" is written on the front of the phones.Sold At: SecureAlert and private security dealers nationwide from May 2003 through July 2003.Manufactured In: JapanRemedy: Call SecureAlert toll-free at (800) 584-4176 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday (MT) to arrange a free replacement. SecureAlert is directly contacting owners of these products. Until the replacement phone is received, consumers should refrain from using the test button on their recalled phone.
Hazard
Using the test button can result in the battery being drained without the user's knowledge. Without battery power, the phone is unable to call for assistance in an emergency.
Incidents & Injuries
SecureAlert has received 10 reports of batteries being exhausted as a result of this problem. No injuries have been reported.
Remedy Instructions
Call SecureAlert toll-free at (800) 584-4176 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday (MT) to arrange a free replacement. SecureAlert is directly contacting owners of these products. Until the replacement phone is received, consumers should refrain from using the test button on their recalled phone.
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.
Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product, whether recalled or not, you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.
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.