Protecting Myself from iPhone Fraud

wau2 on 10/11/2019 - 19:35

Hi

So I’m on a lookout for an iPhone (currently on 6 and it’s on it’s last legs). Been looking at X and XS and there appears to be some good deals on the used market. What are some tips I can use to protect myself from future fraud?
I know to say meet at public place, login with my iCloud to ensure it’s not locked, check Imei on website, are there any other tips?

I’m especially worried about stories where ppl do their due diligence, then months later the original seller reports it as stolen and it gets blocked with no way is getting it back. Anyway back from that?

Or should I just stick to new?

Thanks in advance

Mobile Apple Mobile Phone

Comments

  • FaceDown on 10/11/2019 - 19:36
    +1

    If you decide to sell your iphone 6 lmk in PM's

  • whooah1979 on 10/11/2019 - 19:41
    -2

    Take a photo of their drivers licence. No licence, no deal.

    • CyberMurning on 10/11/2019 - 19:46
      +4

      Well it's good idea for buyers but if you are selling are you happy giving out your DL to some strangers?

      • whooah1979 on 10/11/2019 - 19:52

        I’ve never sold a new or a used handset. They all eventually end up in the bin.

        Btw Asking to sight a driver licence isn’t a big deal when one buy or sell high value goods. It is a basic request when trading vehicles.

        • z10cvbnm on 10/11/2019 - 21:13
          +6

          iPhone =/= high value goods imo. I won't let stranger take a photo of my license just to sell iPhone.

      • jace88 on 10/11/2019 - 23:09
        +1

        No chance. Risk of identity theft.

    • thatonethere on 10/11/2019 - 20:21
      +3

      I've sold a few things on FBM and Gumtree a couple people have asked to photo my licence. No way!

  • kahn on 10/11/2019 - 20:07

    One option is Cash Converters.

    • thebadmachine on 10/11/2019 - 20:25
      +1

      I would rather recommend webuy.com, they have their cash values listed on their site.
      Be sure to go in-store & bring absolutely everything the phone came with though (as new), or they can use these ‘missing’ items to lower the grade of your phone.

  • 87percent on 10/11/2019 - 20:37

    Ask for their proof of purchase too

    • [Deactivated] on 11/11/2019 - 08:54

      See this is just a uninformed comment, best not to if you dont know Apple products register with your apple id. you dont need a receipt for warranty, i have bought and sold dozens off gumtree and never seen or given a receipt lol.

      • 87percent on 11/11/2019 - 10:36

        it's not for warranty, its proof that the person has provided you with the device

  • Toughcookie on 10/11/2019 - 22:22
    -2

    why not buy it form eBay? that pretty safe to buy from if you ask me

  • garetz on 10/11/2019 - 23:16

    The only way to be 100% safe is not to participate in the 2nd hand market.

  • GordonR on 11/11/2019 - 01:40

    If you know about all the things you listed and are still worried, then just buy new.

  • Ipodisclassic on 11/11/2019 - 03:34
    +3

    I'd probably pay the premium and buy one on eBay. At least then you get buyer protection. If you end up buying on off Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree, meet them in person and pay cash. Never wire money and have them send it to you.

    When I buy an iPhone I usually check the following.
    Digitiser - Hold down an app on the home screen until it starts to wiggle then pick up an app and drag it all over the screen. The app should smoothly follow your finger and shouldn't get dropped unless you take your finger off the screen. You can use this to check for dead spots in the touch screen. It's also worth noting that starting with iOS 8 (i Think) the colour of the startup screen matches the colour of the screen bezel (so a black Apple logo with a white background when starting the phone up from fully turned off means that the logic board comes from a white iPhone) if the screen has been replaced or the phone was built from parts the bezel may not match the colour of the boot screen.

    Sim Tray - Insert a sim and check if the phone connect to the cellular network? What's the reception like? Phones that have damaged antennas may have poor reception.

    Proximity Sensor and EarPiece Speaker - Place a call and cover the top speaker of the phone. Screen should turn off. Also check top earpiece speaker works.

    Microphone - Open voice memos, hit record and make some noise, you should be able to see the waveform respond to your voice.

    Speakers - Play back your voice memo, you should be able to hear it.

    Wifi & Bluetooth - Open settings, - usually just being able to see surrounding bluetooth devices and WiFi networks should be enough.

    Touch ID or Face ID - Register your fingerprint or Face and ensure that the phone unlocks.

    GPS - Open maps and check if the phone can determine your location.

    Buttons - Make sure all the buttons have a nice click and respond correctly when you press them. Don't forget the mute switch.

    Cameras - Open the Camera App and make sure that both the Front and Rear camera's work. Note: Plus sized iPhones the X Series often have dual camera's on the back. You can adjust the zoom to check both work.

    You can also check the water damage indicators. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204104

    Furthermore If you have the Serial number you can check the warranty status using Apple's online self service. https://checkcoverage.apple.com

    Unfortunately the only way to check activation is to see the phone in person and try entering an Apple ID and seeing if the phone passes activation. eBay sellers are pretty good with this and it's pretty unlikely you'll end up with an activation locked iPhone unless the listing specifies it.

    I think that's pretty much it. One final note would be to buy from a seller that looks like "average person" who's just trying to sell their old phone. When you look at auctions on eBay see if you can find someone who's got the original box, charger and manuals and has taken pictures of the actual phone their selling to you on their kitchen table etc. Avoid sellers that list phones in bulk and have generic or stock photos as the item description. Also avoid "refurbished" phones (unless they are refurbished by Apple). While resellers may offer a 2 month warranty on their phones. The phones they sell are usually rebuild from low quality parts which makes me feel that they will likely fail soon after the warranty ends.

  • Slippery Otter on 11/11/2019 - 08:31

    Two of my naive friends were scammed when they purchased off gumtree/facebook. The seller even provided their driver license to convince my friends. A license is just a convincing way to trick a buyer.

  • [Deactivated] on 11/11/2019 - 08:51

    I have bought at least 20 off gumtree in last few years, do everything you said OP, could also put a sim in and set up as new to test. I have never had a problem.

  • Caped Baldy on 11/11/2019 - 09:59

    100% guarantee is not buying an iphone or going to B&M store/online.

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