How to spot a fake Lifeproof case for the iPhone 4s

Forums › Apple iOS and devices › How to spot a fake Lifeproof case for the iPhone 4s

Spiker

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Topic # 115514 28-Mar-2013 11:48

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Recently I bought a Lifeproof case on TradeMe to replace mine which was getting a bit scratched up from use. Didn't think much of it, transaction was really good but when the case came I immediately saw there was something not right about it. Ill fitting, white sealant along edge of clear screen were the first things. When I started investigating I realised what I had was a fake. It appears most on TradeMe are fakes.

A phone call to Lifeproof confirmed it. The nice lady was really helpful, its a big problem for them. She asked for the serial numbers from inside the front & back halves of the case. Straight away even before I could finish reading them off to me she knew it was fake.

The serial numbers that indicate its a fake are;

Front R2A 201 208 25
Back PB 201 208 888

To help identify fake cases I've taken a few pictures of my original case & box it came in along side the fake one.

These are only a few of the major differences between real & fake cases. If there is interest I may post more.

Oriphix

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Reply # 788502 28-Mar-2013 12:07

Well done!

dickytim

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Reply # 788508 28-Mar-2013 12:13

Out of interest how much was it on trademe?

gehenna

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Reply # 788511 28-Mar-2013 12:15

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That's an awesome effort by the scammers, an even better effort by you though!

tardtasticx

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Reply # 788516 28-Mar-2013 12:23

Have you contacted Trademe and let them know they've been selling fakes? Im sure they'd be more than happy to remove all listings like that off the site. What about returning it to the selling? False advertising after all. (unless he did mention it was a fake but it doesnt sound like he did)

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khull

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Reply # 788518 28-Mar-2013 12:26

great post. Thanks!

Spiker

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Reply # 788522 28-Mar-2013 12:31

I returned it for a full refund. $45 including shipping. He seemed surprised that it was fake so I made a deal, he pull all his listings for them & I won't bust him to TM. I've complained about a few listings that I can tell are fake but not had any response from TM so I guess they like to get the fees from the sales more.

If I'd thought more before buying I'd have realised that you can't buy a genuine Lifeproof case for that sort of money. $89.99 seems to be the most common retail price in stores. Just google Lifeproof Chinese to see how much the fakes are. Best price I seen is just under $8NZ each shipped for 50.

Spiker

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Reply # 788535 28-Mar-2013 12:42

Another way to tell the fake is to do the water test.

Close up the case & hold under water. Gently squeeze the front & back together. With the real case you will get a steady stream of bubbles coming out of the tiny hole at the top next to the earphone jack & from the speaker vents at the bottom. When you let go of the case will stay sucked in. With the fake case no bubbles will be expelled from those ports & it will spring back out as you take the pressure off.

xpd

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Reply # 788667 28-Mar-2013 14:27

BTW, while on subject of Lifeproof cases, Playtech has 40% off their stock until tomorrow

$47.99 by using the code "acc40off"

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Handsomedan

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Reply # 788718 28-Mar-2013 15:37

Spiker: I've complained about a few listings that I can tell are fake but not had any response from TM so I guess they like to get the fees from the sales more.

It's funny that they are quick to jump on android tablets that look vaguely like iPads, anything that looks like a fake pair of Beats and things like Playstations.

Must be all about who they are afraid of being sued by rather than any particular integrity...

Handsome Dan Has Spoken.

Spiker

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Reply # 789870 31-Mar-2013 11:07

Heres a shot of the earphone jack plug. Obvious differences close up.

Spiker

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Reply # 789899 31-Mar-2013 12:47

Spiker

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Reply # 789902 31-Mar-2013 12:59

On opening up this fake case when I went to remove the cardboard insert from the front half this little rubber part came away from the case. It appears it wasn't fitted correctly & was stuck to the cardboard.

michaelmurfy

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Reply # 789918 31-Mar-2013 14:31

I've seen customers with what appeared to be a "Fake Lifeproof Case" since it was much different from the ones we sold at the place I worked in, didn't have the heart to tell them "Well, you saved $20 but at the cost of possibly your phone"

Michael Murphy | https://murfy.nz
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Spiker

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Reply # 792386 3-Apr-2013 14:17

xpd: BTW, while on subject of Lifeproof cases, Playtech has 40% off their stock until tomorrow

$47.99 by using the code "acc40off"

Thanks for the heads up on this deal. I ordered one over the weekend & it arrived this morning. $47.99 incl postage. Pretty good, too bad all the black ones were gone I had to go with a blue one.

I've taken a few more pictures.