Verizon Wireless Issues Alert to Consumers Regarding LG TM-510 Phone Batteries

BEDMINSTER, NJ — Verizon Wireless and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) jointly issued a recall alert for batteries that can be used with the LG TM-510 phones. The batteries have one of four manufacturer/date codes: AEMLLL 02220, AEMMHH 02220, AEMLLL 02X25H, or AEMMHH 02725. Verizon Wireless is also directly notifying customers who may have purchased the phone with a letter that includes details for obtaining a new battery. The recall does not impact the phone.

Verizon Wireless chose to notify customers as a precautionary measure even though not all batteries with the above date codes are affected. There have been 18 reports of the identified TM-510 batteries overheating and rupturing while installed in the LG TM-510 wireless phone. These batteries are particularly subject to overcharge, if used in connection with non-standard accessories, such as an automobile or desktop charger, that are not approved for use with the LG TM-510 phone by LG Mobile Phones or Verizon Wireless.

The batteries, which are believed to be counterfeit, do not comply with specifications because they have inadequate circuitry protection to prevent overcharging. However, because it is impossible to externally differentiate which batteries contain internal components authorized by the manufacturer, Verizon Wireless is exchanging all potentially affected LG TM-510 batteries.

To date, the batteries that are the focus of the investigation are standard replacement batteries for the phones and may have been sold between August 2002 and November 2003. Verizon Wireless estimates that there are approximately 50,000 batteries, but there is no way of stating with certainty how many customers are using phones with these batteries because customers typically change or upgrade their wireless phones every 18 to 24 months. The company, the CPSC and LG are continuing to investigate how the counterfeit batteries were introduced into the distribution process.

Customers with LG TM-510 phones can determine if they need to exchange the battery by removing the battery from the phone and reading the manufacturer/date code on the battery, below the words "Model/Modelo" or "LG." The model number appears on the back of the phone beneath the battery.

Customers with LG TM-510 batteries that have one of the identified manufacturer/date codes should contact Verizon Wireless at 800-922-0204.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless is the nation's leading provider of wireless communications. The company has the largest nationwide wireless voice and data network and 40 million customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com.  To receive broadcast-quality video footage of Verizon Wireless operations, log onto www.thenewsmarket.com/verizonwireless.

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