Experts issue warning over scam ‘energy-saving devices’ which could cause fires and electric shock

Experts issue warning over scam ‘energy-saving devices’ which could cause fires and electric shock Products claiming to lower energy costs have failed standard safety testing, new investigation reveals - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Already a member? Log in Households looking to cut their bills amid energy price hikes are being targeted by dangerous scam “energy-saving” devices that pose severe fire and electric shock risks, experts have warned. A new investigation by consumer safety charity Electrical Safety First (ESF) found all 13 devices it purchased from major online marketplaces – including AliExpress, Amazon Marketplace, and TikTok Shop – failed basic safety tests. The warning comes as the UK energy price cap rises by 4 per cent on Thursday, pushing average household bills to a three-year high. Surging wholesale energy costs, fuelled by ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, mean consumers could face further price hikes in the New Year. Exploiting these pressures, third-party sellers are now marketing plug-in boxes they claim stabilise household voltage and reduce electricity consumption. But testing conducted by ESF has revealed the devices pose significant threats. During laboratory testing, two devices put through standard short-circuit tests exploded, sending bursts of hot metal fragments into the air. The plug pins on all 13 devices failed to meet the required strength requirements, which means they could snap off, and some devices had no fuse or other suitable protection inside, which could increase the risk of fire and electric shock. The tests also revealed that none of the devices contained components capable of lowering energy usage. Instead, the devices actually consume electricity and cost users money to run. Information on product listings suggests tens of thousands of these devices may have been sold to UK shoppers, despite buyer reviews warning the products were a “complete scam”, “a genuine fire hazard”, and “a plastic box with wires stuck in”. Four near-identical “energy-saving” items were recalled by safety regulators in 2022 for posing serious shock and fire hazards. But four years on, dangerous versions of the same devices remain widely available across major online platforms, ESF said. Giuseppe Capanna, a product safety engineer at ESF, highlighted the risks: “At a time when household budgets are already being squeezed, consumers should be able to trust that products being sold to them are safe and do what they claim. “But our investigation exposes these so-called energy-saving devices for what they really are: worthless products that deliver no savings while potentially putting people at serious risk of electric shock or fire.” A recent analysis of 24,000 electrical listings across major platforms found one in 18 showed clear indicators of non-compliance with UK safety laws. In separate tests conducted by ESF earlier this year, every travel adaptor purchased from major marketplaces was shown to fail basic safety standards, while e-bike batteries subject to official government recall notices remained available online. Lithium-ion battery incidents are now one of the fastest-growing fire risks in London, according to the London Fire Brigade. Under current UK law, online marketplaces are not legally recognised as part of the traditional retail supply chain, meaning they carry no direct liability for ensuring third-party products sold on their sites are safe. The findings come as ministers consider introducing mandatory legal duties for tech platforms, backed by enforcement penalties, for failing to block dangerous listings. “Shopping through online marketplaces in the UK is currently far too dangerous,” Mr Capanna added. “Time and time again, our investigations uncover dangerous products being sold on these platforms, despite their claims that customer safety is a priority. “The government’s response to its consultation on product safety legislation is a crucial opportunity to finally hold online marketplaces to account. “Without urgent action, dangerous products will continue to put consumers’ lives at risk.” In response to the investigation, AliExpress and TikTok told The Independent they have removed the listings identified by ESF and are committed to ensuring the products sold on their platforms meet safety requirements. Amazon told the charity the flagged products have been removed. The Independent has contacted the company for comment. Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments