How to check if android phone is stolen?

[sjabosi]

Hey, so I found a good deal online for an android phone but the seller says it doesn't come with the battery or back cover. The ad also says the phone is brand new condition. Sound weird to anyone else?

How can I make sure a phone like this is not stolen?

 

[shalemail]

Hey, so I found a good deal online for an android phone but the seller says it doesn't come with the battery or back cover. The ad also says the phone is brand new condition. Sound weird to anyone else?

How can I make sure a phone like this is not stolen?

Sounds like a factory re-furbished phone provided on warranty.

 

[sjabosi]

Could be. Are refurbished phones generally solid?

 

[shalemail]

Could be. Are refurbished phones generally solid?

Generally they are identical to a new phone (they are rebuilt by the factory that built them in the first place) but the accepted feeling is that they are not new - should be cheaper than new. They are the "red headed step child" of second hand phones.

I have used a re furb in the past with no issues and I have also gone thru 4 versions of the same phone with the latter 3 being re furbs and they all sucked. So rule of thumb ... if it's a good phone it will be a good re furb if it's a piece of crap (Samsung) it will be a piece of crap re furb.

 

[Lil777]

How do i know IF i bought a stolen Android phone online? Anyone?
Thanks@

 

[Digital Controller]

Check your ESN with your carrier. They can provide the information on whether it is stolen or not.

 

[Doit2it]

Check your ESN with your carrier. They can provide the information on whether it is stolen or not.

Also, when talking to the carrier be sure to confirm the phone is not linked to anyone's account. If it is and the account goes into default, the phone will be blacklisted and unusable.

 

[dan330]

How do i know IF i bought a stolen Android phone online? Anyone?
Thanks@

yes.. sure you can ask for the ESN number off the phone.. then call the carrier and ask if it is still good.

if you do not have the phone in your hands.. then it is hard to 100% confirm.

because the problem is .. would the seller really give you the correct ESN off the phone they are trying to sell?? They can easily use a good ESN off a good phone of someone else's, or the ESN will be bad once they walk on the contract.

 

[Mark with a K]

if i were you i would avoid it.. especially if it is on ebay.. if it's craigslist or similar ask the person if you can see the esn and verify it before making the purchase.

 

[mikedt]

Depending on what country you're in, you can pay for a CheckMend database check on a phone's ESN, IMEI and serial number. That should tell you if a phone is reported stolen, has any blocks on it, etc.