IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission – Fast Track Recall with Health Canada
Release Date: March 26, 2019

Daniel M. Friedman & Associates Recalls Universal Rechargeable Power Banks Due to Overheating and Fire Hazards

Recall Summary

Name of Product: Luv Betsey, Lauren Conrad, and other private label Universal Rechargeable Power Banks.

Hazard: The power banks can overheat, posing a fire hazard.

Remedy: Refund
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled power banks and contact Daniel M. Friedman & Associates to arrange to return the product for a full refund. Consumer Contact: Call toll-free at 855-706-6500 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, via e-mail at info@betseyjohnson.com.

Recall Details

Units: About 165,000 (In addition, approximately 4,500 were sold in Canada)

Description: This recall involves Universal Rechargeable Power Banks for use with smart phones and tablets. The recalled chargers came in a variety of colors and shapes pictured below, including a unicorn head, a cat with sunglasses, and a rainbow between two clouds. They were sold at retail for approximately $25.

Incidents/Injuries: No injuries have been reported. Two consumers reported that the charger overheated. Sold at: Retailers nationwide from November 2016 through January 2019 for about $25. The five largest retailers were Kohl’s, Burlington, Century 21, Off Broadway, and Ross.

Importer: Daniel M. Friedman & Associates, a division of Steven Madden, Ltd.
Manufacturer: Yiwu City Fuman Leather & Accessories Co., Ltd., of China
Manufactured in: China

In Conjunction With:

Canada
Health Canada’s link is available at: https://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/2019/69254r-eng.php
Phone: 866-679-0788

Australia
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commision's (ACCC) link is available at: https://www.productsafety.gov.au/recall/daniel-m-friedman-associates-luv-betsey-by-betsey-johnson-universal-rechargeable-power-bank
Phone: 180-084-9070

Universal Rechargeable Power Bank
Universal Rechargeable Power Bank
Click here to view a full list of UPC's subject to this recall.

This recall was conducted voluntarily by the company under CPSC’s Fast Track Recall process. Fast Track recalls are initiated by firms who commit to work with CPSC to quickly announce the recall and remedy to protect consumers.

About U.S. CPSC:

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical hazard. CPSC’s work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters and household chemicals – contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 40 years.

Federal law bars any person from selling products subject to a publicly-announced voluntary recall by a manufacturer or a mandatory recall ordered by the Commission.

For more lifesaving information, follow us on Facebook, Instagram @USCPSC and Twitter @USCPSC or sign up to receive our e-mail alerts. To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury go online to www.SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC’s Hotline at 800-638-2772 or teletypewriter at 301-595-7054 for the hearing impaired.

CPSC Consumer Information Hotline

Contact us at this toll-free number if you have questions about a recall:
800-638-2772 (TTY 301-595-7054)
Times: 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. ET; Messages can be left anytime
Call to get product safety and other agency information and to report unsafe products.

Media Contact

Please use the phone numbers below for all media requests.
Phone: 301-504-7908
Spanish: 301-504-7800

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are you recalling the power banks?
Safety is a top priority for Daniel M. Friedman & Associates. Upon review and testing of our power banks, which a consumer claimed had overheated, the Company discovered a risk of overheating, which pose risks of fire or burns. There have been no reports of injuries. The Company has received only two reports of overheating (out of nearly 165,000 units), but, in an abundance of caution, the Company has been working with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Health Canada and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and announced a voluntary recall of this product.
What issue prompted the recall?
The lithium battery cell contained within the power banks can overheat, which poses a risk of fire or burns. The Company has received three reports of overheating and associated property damage. There have been no reports of injury, nor have there been any reports of fire caused by the overheating units.
What's the remedy?
The Company is offering a full refund to consumers who participate in the recall.
May I continue to use my power bank?
No. If you have an affected power bank, immediately stop using it and participate in the recall.
How can tell if my power bank is subject to the recall?
If you still have the box, you can compare the UPC to the list of UPCs subject to the recall. If you don’t have the box, you’ll need to compare your power bank to the images provided on the Company’s website or in the press release announcing the recall to determine if your power bank is affected.
My power bank is exactly the same as the image, except the color is a little different. Is it being recalled?
Yes. There simply wasn’t enough room in the press release to include every color combination. If your power bank is the same shape as one in the images provided on the Company’s website or in the press release announcing the recall, your power bank is affected and you should immediately stop using it and participate in the recall.
What if I can’t tell from the images whether my power bank is subject to call or not?
If you’re genuinely uncertain, please e-mail a photo of your power bank to info@betseyjohnson.com. The Company will review your photo, determine whether your power bank is included in the recall, and then respond to let you know.
How long will it take to obtain a refund?
Once we receive your power bank, a refund check will be mailed to you at the address you’ve provided. The check normally will take approximately two weeks to process.
I can’t find my receipt, how much will my refund be?
We’ll ask that you tell us what you think you paid, and, if it is in the range that the retailer from whom you purchased the product has advised the Company that it charged for the product, you’ll receive that amount.
I left a message. When will I receive a return call?
Ordinarily, we return calls to consumers who left a message on the next business day. But, in some instances, it may take two business days due to volume. Return calls are made from 9 AM to 5 PM ET each business day. Make sure that the phone number you provided is one at which you can be reached during those hours. Alternatively, you may participate in the recall 24/7 by going to our website. Here’s a link.
I’d prefer a new power bank instead of refund. Can you send me a new power bank?
No. The Company unfortunately does not have available, at present, other power banks that it can provide to consumers or sell. Instead, it will refund all consumers who participate in the recall their full purchase price.
Is the product defective?
The Company does not believe so. But, in light of a report from a consumer of overheating, the Company, which cares about the quality and safety of its products, decided it was prudent to recall the chargers.
Prior to sale, did the Company test the product?
Yes, and it passed all required tests.