About 470,000 counterfeit BlackBerry-branded cell phone batteries in refurbished devices are being recalled by Asurion, a Tennessee distributor.
The counterfeit batteries can overheat, posing burn and fire hazards.
Asurion has received two reports of the batteries overheating, causing minor burns to a consumer's finger and minor property damage to a sofa and car seat.
The recall involves only BlackBerry-branded batteries provided with refurbished Blackberry-branded devices. The refurbished devices were sent to consumers by Asurion through a handset protection program. The batteries were used for all models of refurbished BlackBerry devices distributed by Asurion prior to November 1, 2009. Genuine Blackberry-branded batteries aren’t included in the recall. No other Asurion or BlackBerry products are involved in the recall.
The batteries were distributed through Asurion as part of their handset protection claim program nationwide from March 2004 through October 2009.
Consumers who received refurbished BlackBerry devices through Asurion prior to November 1, 2009, should immediately stop using the product and contact Asurion for a replacement product. Asurion is directly contacting known consumers with the affected batteries to notify them of the recall.
To contact Asurion, call 866-384-9175 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website at www.001batex.com.
For information on other recalls, see www.recalls.gov.
