AmazonBasics gets cached for consumer protection

Do you own an AmazonBasics portable power bank? If so, stop using it now because it poses safety risks.

Effective March 13, the online retail giant has voluntarily recalled six power bank units sold between December 2014 and July last year but did not say why. The recall affected 260,000 power bank units.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), however, said the recall was made because the power bank’s lithium-ion battery “can overheat and ignite, posing fire and burn hazards.”

The CPSC said: “Amazon has received 53 reports of the power banks overheating in the U.S., including one report of chemical burns due to contact with battery acid and four reports of property damage, including fire and smoke damage.”

List of power banks recalled

The six power banks withdrawn by Amazon are:

• Product ID number B00LRK8EVO. AmazonBasics Portable Power Bank with Micro USB Cable – 2,000 mAh
• Product ID number B00LRK8HJ8. AmazonBasics Portable Power Bank with Micro USB Cable – 3,000 mAh
• Product ID number B00LRK8I7O. AmazonBasics Portable Power Bank – 3,000 mAh
• Product ID number B00LRK8IVO. AmazonBasics Portable Power Bank – 5,600 mAh
• Product ID number B00LRK8JDC. AmazonBasics Portable Power Bank – 10,000 mAh
• Product ID number B00ZQ4JQAA. AmazonBasics Portable Power Bank – 16,100 mAh

The CPSC identified the power banks’ manufacturer as China’s Guoguang Electric Company Limited.

Those who have purchased the power banks from Amazon.com, Amazon Bookstores, and Amazon Pop-Up Stores have to return the devices and will be refunded of the cost of the product in full.

They also need to fill out a form on Amazon.com.

Confirmation of recall

A spokesperson for Amazon confirmed the voluntary recall of the six power banks.

In an email to Mashable, the company’s representative said: “Confirming that we are voluntarily recalling select AmazonBasics Portable Power Banks in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.”

“All customers who purchased these products have been notified and are instructed to contact Amazon at (855) 215-5134 or visit https://amazonpowerbank.expertinquiry.com for more information and product return instructions.”

CPSC said the recall was initiated by Amazon under the agency’s Fast Track Recall and companies that use the process work with the agency to immediately announce the recall and remedy to protect consumers.

The recall of the AmazonBasics power banks comes just over two months after Hewlett Packard buyers have reported that their laptop’s batteries have either charred and melted, resulting in a voluntary recall of the products sold between December 2015 and December 2017.

HP said it received eight reports of overheating, one of which caused the first-degree burn to a laptop owner.

What’s next?

Amazon has recalled six power banks because, as the CPSC said, the battery can overheat and ignite, thus posing fire and chemical burn hazards.

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DISCLAIMER: This article expresses my own ideas and opinions. Any information I have shared are from sources that I believe to be reliable and accurate. I did not receive any financial compensation for writing this post, nor do I own any shares in any company I’ve mentioned. I encourage any reader to do their own diligent research first before making any investment decisions.