Buyer asking for serial number of phone (?)

gustav

I have a mobile phone for sale on Ebay at the moment.
I have just been asked by a "potential buyer" to provide the serial number so that he can "check that it isnt blocked".
Is this some sort of scam?

Anybody come across this before?

Thanks in advance.

cyberbob

Not come across that before i would be wary. What number does he want the IMEI number? How would he be able to check if it had been blocked? I am suspicious

gustav

Says he doesnt want the IMEI number.
Does sound a bit sus tho.
Like somebody would bother selling a blocked phone.

cyberbob

As far as I understand it the IMEI number is needed to block the phone. So the serial number would be useless to him, so I dont understand what he will learn from it. I have sold a lot of phones never been asked that. Personally I would add him to my blocked bidders list, because even if it is above board just has the feel of more trouble than its worth

gustav

cyberbob wrote: »

As far as I understand it the IMEI number is needed to block the phone. So the serial number would be useless to him, so I dont understand what he will learn from it. I have sold a lot of phones never been asked that. Personally I would add him to my blocked bidders list, because even if it is above board just has the feel of more trouble than its worth

Does smell a bit fishy.
I have replied and said no.
Expect i'll get a load of abuse now.

cyberbob

Put them on your blocked bidders list
http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/sell/manage_bidders_ov.html#blocking

before_hollywood

there is only one serial number on the phone- the imei number

i think i know what his game is

''i've lost my phone its imei is 3

---

' enter as appropraite

takes his phone network for fools that will bar his phone with no useage evidence

he'll have to wake up a lot earlier in the morning to get past me

Guinness_is_good_for_you

Yes, it does sound a bit weird, but maybe the buyer had problems before and is just being overcautious about buying phones on ebay again. But if you don't feel comfortable giving him the info, i would just block him. But you can check the IMEI to see if it's blocked before buying something if you are worried, but i don't think many people would do that as you have to pay to check. Seller can also do a check to put on the auction as proof that the phone is not blacklisted.

You can now search online databases, such as the checkMEND database, to see whether a phone you want to buy has been reported as lost or stolen. It is recommended that you search the databases using the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI serial) or checkMEND certificate number (where provided by the seller) for the mobile phone you want to buy. If the seller has provided a checkMEND certificate, it’s free for you to view this online.

http://pages.ebay.co.uk/buy/guides/mobile-phone-advice/

Tim_UK_3

probably lost the phone a while back and thinks this is his - seem to remember a thread on here about someone convinced their phone was on ebay - just block them.

pinkshoes

People steal phones, the rightful owner phones their phone company to have the phone and sim card blocked, phone is then rendered useless. Yet lots of them will still be sold on...

I'm guessing this guy has been had before and ended up out of pocket.

Ask him why he wants the number, and then you can do whatever it is he wants yourself.

gustav

Been no further contact since i said no to the serial number.
Couldnt have been that keen.
However, I smell a rat.

I wonder if he's asked the same question before?
Would be interesting to know.
Can we find out?
Although if he's pulled a scam before he would have used a different identity.

Just checked. He has a rating of 18. But no activity for 6 years (!) until this year, and one of the 2 feedbacks he has this year is from somebody who is no longer a registered user. (!)

Be warned.!!!!!