Half a Million Fake BlackBerry Batteries From Refurbished Devices Recalled

Asurion, a “protector” and insurer or various technology products, including smartphones, on Tuesday issued a voluntary recall of nearly half a million counterfeit BlackBerry batteries it distributed to customers in refurbished BlackBerrys since 2004. The recall, which is being conducted along with the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), is due to concerns that the power-packs could overheat, “posing burn and fire hazards,” according to the CPSC.

The batteries at issue are apparently fake, though they’re BlackBerry-branded so it’s unclear if there’s an easy way to tell one of the fake Asurion-distributed batteries from the real deal. They were used in “virtually all models of refurbished BlackBerry devices distributed by Asurion.” And the company has received at least two reports of burns and/or property damage related to the BlackBerry batteries.

From a CPSC recall alert:

“This recall involves only BlackBerryŽ-branded batteries provided with refurbished BlackberryŽ-branded devices. The refurbished devices were sent to consumers by Asurion through a handset protection program.”

The faulty batteries were distributed to people and/or companies that insured their BlackBerrys with Asurion and then filed some claim for a replacement between March 2004 and October 2009, according to CPSC.

Half a million bum batteries distributed over a period of five years isn’t exactly a huge number. But if you’re an Asurion customer—or you suspect you might be—it’s probably a good idea to contact the company and swap out your potentially-bad battery for an authentic RIM power pack.

Asurion is reportedly contacting known consumers with the affected batteries directly to notify them of the recall. And you can contact Asurion toll-free at (866) 384-9175 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the Asurion recall website at www.001batex.com.

AS