How Do You Know if Something Is Stolen Serial Number
There are plenty of ways to buy the latest gadgets and still save money, like opting for a refurbished unit instead of a make-new one. Merely in the effort to discover a great bargain, shoppers sometimes seek out electronics that may, in fact, actually exist stolen goods. In fact, enough of consumers have accidentally purchased goods that were stolen.
Read on for the 9 most common alert signs that the electronics y'all're because are actually stolen. On their own, some of them may not indicate that a device was actually stolen. But if y'all notice multiple cerise flags and warning signs, it's a adept idea to reconsider your buy. If yous either know or doubtable that an item was stolen, don't buy it.
1. The price is too depression
An unbelievably low price is the outset red flag that a device may be stolen | Source: iStock
If you find the latest iPhone, a desirable laptop, or a high-powered tablet for an extremely low price online, chances are good that the listing is too skilful to exist true. You should always practise your research on any gadget you programme to purchase, whether new or pre-endemic, and in the process, yous can detect out what the going price is. If you find a listing with the same device at a substantially lower price, that'southward a big red flag. Additionally, if a seller has listed multiple gadgets at the aforementioned depression price, that'south an even bigger sign that the goods may exist stolen.
two. At that place aren't whatsoever details in the list
A list without details about the gadget is also a good warning sign that the seller may not be the legitimate owner | Source: iStock
Every bit Scambusters notes, some other carmine flag that a device might be stolen is a listing without any details. If "there is no detail with the listing, only a obviously statement of what it is," y'all should always inquire for more details. Contact the seller, ask about the item'due south status, and ask how long they've endemic it and why they've decided to sell. A legitimate seller should give you lot an idea of the history of the device. If anything sounds suspicious, turn around and walk the other way.
3. The seller claims that the item was plant
If a seller claims that a device was constitute, you lot should probably look elsewhere | Source: iStock
If a listing on eBay, Craigslist, or elsewhere claims that an particular was found, that's probably not a seller that you desire to exercise business organization with. Scambusters points out that "despite the saying, finders are not keepers without outset following a process that includes reporting the observe to constabulary." Claiming that an item was found is a style some sketchy sellers try to absolve themselves of responsibility for a device that's locked or can't exist activated, and then don't exist tempted by a adept deal on a "found" gadget.
4. The serial number is registered as stolen
If you inquire for the serial number and it's registered equally stolen, run the other mode | Source: iStock
This 1 isn't a cherry-red flag that a device might be stolen, simply a sure indication that it is. It's ever a good idea to enquire for the serial number for a device before you buy. When the seller gives you the serial number — every bit an honest seller should practise, since giving you the data tin't hurt them — you should check it via a website like Trace. At that place, y'all tin can determine whether the device has been recorded as stolen. In the case of a device similar an iPhone, the serial number will also enable you to check the Activation Lock status, and determine whether the service is disabled and the device is set up for the next owner.
5. The device is countersign-locked
If a device is password-locked, odds are good that you won't be able to use information technology | Source: iStock
Don't believe listings that say that a smartphone, tablet, or figurer is locked with a password, but that the seller will provide that password to the winning applicant. If the seller is actually the legitimate owner of the device, chances are that they would have already gone through the procedure of erasing their data, resetting the countersign, and making sure that the gadget is no longer associated with their accounts. Someone who'due south selling a stolen device may not exist able to do whatsoever of those things, and volition most likely claim that they've forgotten the password, leaving yous with a device you lot can't fifty-fifty unlock.
6. The phone yous're considering has a "bad ESN"
A smartphone with a bad ESN may be stolen, and almost always is a device you don't want | Source: iStock
When searching eBay for the smartphone y'all want, you'll probably encounter at least a few listings for devices with a "bad ESN." That's a adept sign that y'all should expect elsewhere. The ESN is the electronic serial number, and a bad ESN means that the device tin can't exist activated past the carrier for whom it was manufactured. An ESN can exist bad because the owner switched carriers and didn't pay the termination fee, because the owner got behind on their payments, or because the device was lost or stolen. You need to know what you're doing if you program to buy a phone that was made for one carrier and and then use it on another network, then make sure that you know what you're looking for (which, in most cases, won't be a phone with a bad ESN).
7. The seller has little or no positive feedback
A seller with piffling or no positive feedback probably isn't one y'all should do business with | Source: iStock
If you're looking at an eBay listing, take the fourth dimension to check out the feedback that the seller has gotten on past transactions. The appearance of little or no positive feedback is a major red flag, and Scambusters notes that it'due south also a blood-red flag if the seller's existing feedback is for transactions on very cheap items. "Crooks utilise this cheap product feedback to build up their credibility record" ahead of selling bigger-ticket items.
8. The seller is local, but acts suspicious when you ask to meet
A local seller who acts suspicious when you act to meet may be hiding something | Source: iStock
There are plenty of legitimate reasons why sellers wouldn't desire to invite you into their homes. But if a seller who's plain local acts suspicious about coming together up, even at a public place like a java shop or mall, you may want to proceed with caution. Scambusters recommends requesting their name, and request them to bring some personal identification like a driver's license or proof of ownership. "If they make excuses, it's all-time not to purchase."
nine. The seller asks y'all to pay via an untraceable method
A seller who asks you to pay via an untraceable method may non be the nearly trustworthy | Source: iStock
Everyone has their preferences as to how y'all'll pay for your purchase. But information technology should give yous suspension if a seller states that yous have to pay with an untraceable method, similar a money wire or a cashier's cheque, instead of with a credit card or PayPal. A legitimate seller who'southward selling an unneeded device volition likely be flexible on the mode that yous pay for your purchase, while someone who's trying to evade detection by a site's consumer protection team or even by police force enforcement volition likely be more insistent on a specific method of untraceable payment.
If y'all do buy a device that you after find was stolen, information technology'southward a good idea to report it to the police or cooperate if the law contact you lot. A device that was stolen still belongs to the person from whom it was stolen, so you should cooperate when the police want you to render it. Finally, yous tin try to get your money back through the selling site or via your credit carte company.
Source: https://www.cheatsheet.com/gear-style/warning-signs-youre-buying-stolen-electronics.html/
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