Learning to recognize a stolen or locked iPhone before purchasing allows you to avoid scams. And the same goes for other Apple devices too.
How to recognize a stolen or locked iPhone
You may have come across ads for the sale of Used iPhones at very advantageous prices .
Most of the time these are honest sellers, who may want to sell their Apple device to buy a newer version. However, it is also possible to run into scammers , who want to get rid of blocked and unusable smartphones soon.
By following these few steps you will be able to understand if the Used iPhone you are about to buy is an opportunity not to be missed, or if it is a sensational scam.
WHEN BUYING A USED IPHONE OR IPAD IT IS ESSENTIAL TO MAKE SURE THAT IT CAN BE ASSOCIATED WITH YOUR APPLE ACCOUNT.
How to check if an iPhone is locked by its owner following theft or loss?
First of all, if you are about to buy a Used iPhone from a private individual, ask if the box and the Original Apple accessories included in the package are included with the device : power supply and headphones. This is because, in case of lost or stolen devices, it will be almost impossible for the seller to be in possession of the packaging and accessories.
If, on the other hand, you are about to buy a Used iPhone in a shop, ask the seller if at the sale he will issue you the sales certificate , which indicates the model of the device and its unique IMEI code.
These first two steps are a good starting point, but obviously not enough. Here, then, are the other steps to take.
Get the IMEI code of the iPhone
Especially if you have to buy from a private person, absolutely get the IMEI code of the iPhone .
The IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) code consists of 15 digits and uniquely identifies mobile phones.
There are two possibilities to find the iPhone IMEI code:
- Go to Settings, then to General and then to Info. At the bottom of the page you will find the unique code of the iPhone;
- Open the iPhone dialer (the keypad where phone numbers are dialed) and enter * # 06 #: the iPhone IMEI code will automatically appear in the center of the display.
If you are about to buy a Used iPhone online, and therefore the device is not in your hands, just ask the seller for the IMEI code: if the device is “clean” he will have no problem sending it to you.
Check the IMEI code of the iPhone
Until January 2017 it was possible to verify the device through IMEI directly on the Apple website. This service is no longer active .
However, there are other ways to proceed with the verification , for example you can check if the device has been stolen using the Brightstar website , a company that offers the iPhone trade-in service on behalf of Apple.
The Bringstar website
By entering the IMEI code of the device on this page , you will immediately find out if the iPhone is blocked, because the evaluation procedure will be immediately interrupted.
Warning: if an error message appears (eg “There was an internal server error while visiting this site. Please try again or contact us if the problem persists”), it could be a problem with your browser, not the iPhone.
To clarify any doubts, you can contact Apple’s technical telephone support at 800 915 904 , asking if the iPhone is blocked or reported for theft or loss.
Other verification services
You can use the iPhoneStolen site , which offers an updated database from the same iPhone owners who have lost their device.
The website of iPhoneStolen
On this website you can also search by entering the serial number of the used iPhone you intend to purchase. The serial number, like the IMEI code, can be found in Settings, then on General and then on Info, and consists of 12 digits.
If there is any problem, a warning message about the locked iPhone will appear . This means that someone has either lost it or it was stolen, and has activated the “ Find my iPhone ” anti-theft system , which requires the Apple account password to unlock. Activation Lock is a technology developed by Apple that prevents iOS devices from being restored without disabling the anti-theft feature first.
Only the rightful owner has the password linked to the Apple ID on the device. If the vendor is unable to unlock it, you are most likely dealing with a scammer.
Safe and certified checks
To be 100% sure to avoid buying stolen, blocked or counterfeit iPhones, you need to use platforms that thoroughly scan your device .
There are some portals that offer this service, usually for a fee, with databases updated almost in real time, thanks to the collaboration of law enforcement agencies, device owners, retail stores and other data providers.
By investing a few euros it is possible to trace the entire history of the device, through the IMEI code, from its production to its current state, through all the changes of ownership, all over the world.
This service is so useful that it will soon be mandatory for online sales on major ecommerce portals , including the giants eBay and Amazon, to counter the recycling of stolen, blocked or counterfeit smartphones .
For each iPhone / iPad Used, the report includes several important items, including:
- Unique certificate ID
- Date the check was carried out
- Information about the manufacturer
- Serial number of the device
- Any warning messages from the manufacturer, for loss, theft, blocking, tampering or alteration of the device after manufacture
- Possible blocking status in the US, UK or rest of the world
- Status of the IMEI code (In case of locked device it is shown here)
- Stolen device status (in case of stolen device), Lost device status (in case of lost device), Possible counterfeit device status (in case of counterfeit device) or Possible clone status (in case of cloned device)
- Owners (any information about the previous and current owners of the device. Some used devices can be repackaged with the aim of being sold as new).
- Return requests
Safely Used Blob Video
All Apple Used devices for sale in our store are provided with certificates attesting to their authenticity, together with the Warranty, the box and the original Apple accessories.
Learn more about Used Apple Blob Video
Other useful tips
Seller Feedback : Before buying an iPhone on an e-commerce site it is important to check the seller’s feedback and the detailed description of the product.
The price : The devaluation of Apple devices over time is very slow, which is why the used iPhone market is one of the most active. Consequently, it is impossible to find a model for sale at a very low price. If you find ads for the sale of used iPhones at “bargain” prices you have to be very careful , they are probably scams by criminals.
