Fake iPhones In Leicester
18 May 2011, 06:00 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50
Fake iPhones being offered for sale in Leicester.
The City Council’s Trading Standards Service has been handed three counterfeit iPhones. The phones were seized by police and were being sold for £60.
We've been told an investigation is ongoing.
Although the fake Apple iPhones look similar to the genuine article, they have not been tested in the same way and are likely to be inferior in terms of their functions and durability.
Make Sure Your Phone Isn't Fake
Trading Standards say there are ways of making sure your phone is genuine
- Fake iPhones have a stylus built into the phone - genuine iPhones do not.
- Counterfeit models may have fuzzy printing on the box and spelling mistakes on different icons.
- The batteries can be removed on the fake iPhones, but cannot be removed on genuine versions.
Leicester City Council's Trading Standards manager, Ron Ruddock, said:
"It's clear from the phones we have seen that the build quality is poor. One of the phones lasted only a few days before it stopped working altogether.
"We are currently investigating the source of these counterfeit phones, and ask consumers to be vigilant when purchasing such items, particularly from markets and traders in temporary stalls, or secondhand dealers.
"Anyone interested in buying an iPhone should ensure they do so from a reputable dealer. If there is any doubt - don't buy one."
If you know of anyone selling fake iPhones, or see them for sale, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or the Rip-Off Tip-Off team at www.ripofftipoff.net
