Paying for a phone I don’t have

Gilesy07

I currently have a Apple iPhone on the upgrade programme which has about 12 months to run. The handset is now with the police as they are investigating a crime my daughter reported to them (an allegation - can’t go in to details on here) and the police needed the handset as this contained potential evidence against the accused. The problem is I am now paying for a handset my daughter can’t use and Apple have said there is nothing they can do. The finance is with Barclay finance who say they can not help. Is there anything I can do as there is not sign of this handset being returned anytime soon - i.e. within the next 6-10 months.

TadleyBaggie

Apple supplied you with a phone and quite rightly expect to be fully reimbursed for it. The fact that phone is not useable by you isn't really their problem. Short of buying a cheap handset to get by, not sure their is anything you can do.

Murmansk

Seems to me you need to sort this problem via the police rather than via Apple.
I presume when the Police's forensic people get a phone they copy all its contents in some way so there may come a point where the phone could be given back to you if you were to ask? Maybe it'd be wiped though? It's certainly a tricky situation - similar to when you lose a phone and still have to pay for it.

cymruchris

Your payment contract will continue - not being able to access the phone as it's with the police makes no difference at all. Continue paying, and when it comes back it'll be yours. From experience, don't expect it back quickly, and no doubt in current times, it may take even longer. My dad's phone was taken as part of an investigation, and it took 3 months to come back. Now it might take even longer I'd imagine. You might need to buy a cheap second hand handset to tide you over.

DCFC79

Unfortunately its not the fault of Apple or Barclays, keep up with payments is what you really should do. For the next phone consider buying outright. 
I echo the advice of buying a second hand phone to tide you over.

Neil49

Buy a cheap second hand phone and sell it on when you get the handset back from the police. 

macman

Since the main value of the contract is the airtime supplied by the SIM, not the phone, can you not obtain a replacement SIM, or ask the police to return that, in the meantime.? Since any evidence is on the phone, I see no reason for them to retain the SIM.

d123

Gilesy07 said:

I currently have a Apple iPhone on the upgrade programme which has about 12 months to run. The handset is now with the police as they are investigating a crime my daughter reported to them (an allegation - can’t go in to details on here) and the police needed the handset as this contained potential evidence against the accused. The problem is I am now paying for a handset my daughter can’t use and Apple have said there is nothing they can do. The finance is with Barclay finance who say they can not help. Is there anything I can do as there is not sign of this handset being returned anytime soon - i.e. within the next 6-10 months.

Why would you even think this would be Apple or Barclays problem? It's still your phone and the police should ultimately return it (there are staff shortages due to Covid so it's not going to be as quick as normal). As others say, buy a cheapish phone to use and then sell it or keep the cheap phone as a spare.

Exemplar

LOL Funniest post in ages

thavakal

And then u need to wait till the police investigation gets complete to get back your iPhone