How to identify if an iPhone 4 is stolen?

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › How to identify if an iPhone 4 is stolen?

evhoe

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#93600 24-Nov-2011 21:45

Ok so im about to do a trade for my PS3 and cash for an iphone 4.

Problem being ive read so much about these being stolen like hot cake's. So before i do how can i do check's and what not to prevent this?

Im new to the iphone scene.

Reason i ask here is i will be using it on the XT network so it's a must it work's.

Any help would be great,
Thanks in advance:)

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311 posts

Ultimate Geek

#549656 24-Nov-2011 22:26

how do you prevent a iphone from being stolen?

much like any other phone ... don't leave it in public places ... don't give it to random people ... don't leave it in the car.

once you have handed it over to you local thief and you would like to know where it is you can use the find my iPhone service (which has to be previously setup and activated on the phone) to GPS track it .... will only work if its on etc you can also use this feature to remote wipe and lock it.
once stolen the IMEI (serial) can be blacklisted with the provider (telecom) and the phone won't be able to be used on the network again.

codyc1515

1598 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#549660 24-Nov-2011 22:30

matt45: once stolen the IMEI (serial) can be blacklisted with the provider (telecom) and the phone won't be able to be used on the network again.

and vodafone.

evhoe

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#549661 24-Nov-2011 22:32

Thank's for the reply,

Oh ok cool is there any way of finding out before i trade weather the iphone is stolen?

As that's the last thing id need.

Thank's :)

codyc1515

1598 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#549662 24-Nov-2011 22:33

evhoe: Thank's for the reply,

Oh ok cool is there any way of finding out before i trade weather the iphone is stolen?

As that's the last thing id need.

Thank's :)

Ask for the IMEI and PM johnr.

matt45

311 posts

Ultimate Geek

#549665 24-Nov-2011 22:34

no way to tell for certain when buying a second hand phone.
solution: buy a new phone.

hamish225

1418 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#549669 24-Nov-2011 22:46

Don't let anyone else use your phone and don't flash it around and it won't get stolen, and there is no reason it wouldn't work on the telecom network, unless it was brought in a different country in which case it could be locked.

*Insert big spe*dtest result here*

evhoe

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#549671 24-Nov-2011 22:51

Its not that, Im doing a part trade for the phone.

Im unsure on the history of it, I can only take his word but as im in no postion to buy one new ive gone for this option. But i dont want to get the phone to find it wont work on Telecom or will get blocked etc at anytime?

Hope ive made it wee more clear,

Thank's for the reply's :)

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

Loismustdye

927 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#549674 24-Nov-2011 22:57

If there's any concern re the legality of the phone, I would leave it alone. Basically if in doubt don't buy it. It's too much to lose even it's not full retail price and you're doing a partial trade for it.

codyc1515

1598 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#549677 24-Nov-2011 23:02

Loismustdye: If there's any concern re the legality of the phone, I would leave it alone. Basically if in doubt don't buy it. It's too much to lose even it's not full retail price and you're doing a partial trade for it.

Exactly, if your having to question the legality then I would be concerned.

evhoe

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#549679 24-Nov-2011 23:09

Yeah my thoughts also, any way i can prove my thoguth"S?

If i obtian the IMEI number of the sellercan i get it trecked or so?

I jsut wont to use it with my XT network with no problem's ie: it being block/blacklisted and so on

Thanks

evhoe

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#549680 24-Nov-2011 23:09

codyc1515

1598 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#549681 24-Nov-2011 23:11

Like I said in an earlier post, if you get the IMEI from the seller then PM it to johnr on here he can check it as (apparently) telecom and vodafone share blacklists.

evhoe

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#549682 24-Nov-2011 23:15

Oh thank's

rscole86

4973 posts

Uber Geek

Moderator

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#549683 24-Nov-2011 23:16

Which does not mean anything, the person can still get in black listed before you even start using it.

As above, if you are having to ask the question, then do not buy it.

toyonut

1508 posts

Uber Geek

#549785 25-Nov-2011 09:29

If you are not sure about the guy/girl you are trading with, dont do it.
I know the iphone is a tempting buy, and I also know that if you want an iphone, nothing else will do, but why not trademe the PS3 or sell it to a friend and then put the cash into a new phone. You are putting ps3 plus cash into it anyway.

Iphone 4 is only $499 on a $45 a month plan from vodafone or $899 unlocked from apple. You can also get cheaper refub ones from apple for around $700 mark.

Heck, if you just want a flash smartphone, sell the PS3 and buy any of the dual core androids for around the $6-700 mark.

The bottom line is if you have reason to be suspect, trust your gut and dont do it, there are other options.

Try Vultr using this link and get us both some credit:

http://www.vultr.com/?ref=7033587-3B

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