second hand mobile phones - check if stolen?

Ant555

I am currently looking at a nearly new iPhone.

Is there any way I can check if the handset is stolen? I guess there is a facility to register a stolen handset but how long does that take to propoagare through the system?

Ideally i'll take a sim and check it works but I don't want to spend decent money and then find its locked/blocked or otherwise unusable in 2 weeks time.

In fact the more I think about it the more its a risk - however the question is still valid.

Thanks

JJ_Egan

Time-scale depends upon when its reported and IMEI blocked .

Could you buy a used phone today and find it blocked in two weeks time yes it possible .

chrisw

I bought a second hand iphone for my son from a shop (cash converters) so that if it subsequently turned out to be stolen, I would have some redress. It was fine as it happens.

Lifeforms

It's risky, a common "scam" on the likes of ebay is the unscrupulous will upgrade to a new one, ebay it as unwanted upgrade, carry on using the original, stop paying the bills and the upgrade is blocked.

Or simply sell it for cash, quick sale needed!, and report it stolen in a few weeks time. Helpfully wait the 45 days if it's paypal, then report it.

Frankly be aware buying them second hand. If you purchase from a shop like cash converters always keep the receipt as you have some come back. Otherwise apple sell the last (1/2) model back cheaper than it was first sale. But only by a bit and limited choices. Currently you can buy an 8G 4s from them, but not an iphone 5.

If it's off a friend, how well can you trust them is the only answer to the question.

paddyrg

Either buy a new iPhone, or buy a new unit of an older model, or come to the Android camp where things are just a bit cheaper/more bang-for-buck. There are some awesome Android phones that make the current iPhones look a bit unexciting TBH

JJ_Egan

Dont Iphone people offer a refurbish scheme .

shaun_from_Africa

I used to buy and sell a fair few mobile phones, and this is the site I used to check them before buying.
http://www.checkmend.com/uk/

It's £1.99 for a one off check and you get a report like this:
http://www.checkmend.com/uk/pdf/checkmendReport.pdf

but bear in mind that it's only as reliable as the reports made about stolen goods.

scheming_gypsy

JJ_Egan wrote: »

Dont Iphone people offer a refurbish scheme .

Yep, Apple refurbish everybody elses ideas a few years down the line.

EmmaxOx

I would make sure to buy from an established retailer so that if the worst happens, you can get your money back.

Another thing to be wary of is people selling phones while still under contract: if the customer stops paying their contract you may find the network blocks the phone via the IMEI number (so even if you have your own sim card inside!)

Emma x