Any way to tell if it's stolen?

TheAmazingDave · May 6, 2013

I want to pick up a used 8 gig N7 today. I'm always concerned about purchasing stolen electronics, any easy way to tell? I'm guessing not but thought it was worth asking...

saptech · May 6, 2013

In the Members Deal of the Day subforum, there was a deal for refurbished N7 from Tiger Direct for $100. It ended Apr. 30th...I really don't know how one would check if it is stolen or not, other then buy from a store or ebay maybe.

Demache · May 7, 2013

There is no universal tablet numbering system like there is for phones. So no, not really, especially if its been factory reset.

TheAmazingDave · May 7, 2013

Well, against my gut, I bought it. Serial number sticker is missing, and didn't come with Asus charger. It was still locked, though, and I was able to set up Google Wallet without a secure element error, so I suppose it's okay.

Really hope someone didn't loose it, though.

breadnatty08 · May 8, 2013

If you need the serial # for any reason, head into Settings - About Tablet - Status and towards the bottom, it'll list the serial #.

h4x0rj3ff · May 8, 2013

i took my serial sticker off almost as soon as i got it. stuck it to the box so i would be able to keep it. why google wouldn't laser engrave the info in the sticker on the unit itself is above me... pretty stupid if you ask me. it would be nice to have some sort of monitoring system tho. im assuming the wifi+data models have a tracking built in (meid) but not the wifi only

as long as everything works like it should, you bought it legitimately and as far as your concerned its not stolen. i really wouldn't worry about it.

rcsrich · May 14, 2013

Be careful- laws vary from state to state, with some states charging the individual that purchased the stolen goods even if they had no knowledge.

Good brief overview from Wikipedia:

Possession of stolen goods - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Demache · May 14, 2013

rcsrich said:
Be careful- laws vary from state to state, with some states charging the individual that purchased the stolen goods even if they had no knowledge.

Good brief overview from Wikipedia:

Possession of stolen goods - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The tablet is $300 dollars at most however at retail, so I don't think he could get in real trouble for it. Theft at that level is generally considered a misdemeanor. And that's if he stole it himself.

rcsrich · May 15, 2013

Demache said:
The tablet is $300 dollars at most however at retail, so I don't think he could get in real trouble for it. Theft at that level is generally considered a misdemeanor. And that's if he stole it himself.

True, but if I was even the least bit suspicious that something I was purchasing could be stolen (deal too good to be true, etc.), I would probably walk away...just not worth the potential hassle to me, all moral considerations aside.

jhawkkw · May 15, 2013

h4x0rj3ff said:
why google wouldn't laser engrave the info in the sticker on the unit itself is above me... pretty stupid if you ask me.

I don't think it's a Google thing, I think it was a ASUS thing. The Transformer tablet that I have has a serial # sticker on both the keyboard and the dock, while my Nexus 4 has the IMEI number a little more securely attached.

h4x0rj3ff · May 15, 2013

jhawkkw said:
I don't think it's a Google thing, I think it was a ASUS thing. The Transformer tablet that I have has a serial # sticker on both the keyboard and the dock, while my Nexus 4 has the IMEI number a little more securely attached.

well whoevers fault it is, its stupid. lol. we have a lazer engraver machine at work and it really take about 1 to 3 seconds to engrave something. lol

TheAmazingDave · May 15, 2013

Thanks for all of the advice.

Given the circumstances, if the deal were too good to be true, I would have definitely walked away from this unit. But it was selling at an average price for a 8 GB, it just happened to be the closest.

My Super Beetle has a blown intake valve guide on cylinder 2 and a blown-out crank thrust bearing. I didn't want to drive too far and press my luck.

WoohooGuy · May 15, 2013

Call me paranoid but I factory reset any used device I come across more for my peace of mind than anything.

sfbloodbrother · May 16, 2013

If it's too good to be true, it's probably stolen. Otherwise, you didn't know.

Demache · May 16, 2013

WoohooGuy said:
Call me paranoid but I factory reset any used device I come across more for my peace of mind than anything.

I would just because...why would I want anyone else's crap on my device?

Russtopher · Jun 29, 2016

If I buy a Tablet off of someone that is still in it's original packaging, how do I know if it's stolen? If so, am I legally responsible for the theft or possession of stolen item? If it's in its original packaging, then does that mean it has not been registered?

Thanks
KK

lunatic59 · Jun 29, 2016

Russtopher said:
how do I know if it's stolen?

You probably won't, at least not right away. If I were buying something from someone that gave me the impression of selling stolen items or had any other reason to suspect theft were involved, I'd turn around and walk away.

Russtopher said:
If so, am I legally responsible for the theft or possession of stolen item?

At best, you'd have to turn it over, but at worst there could be legal consequences. It depends on where you are and the local/regional and national laws. Is it worth the risk?

Russtopher said:
If it's in its original packaging, then does that mean it has not been registered?

If it's got a G3/G4/LTE radio in it, then it's got an IMEI or ESN and will most likely be blacklisted so you wouldn't be able to get mobile data anyway. If it's WiFi only then it would only be registered for a warranty claim by it's manufacturing serial number.

The reality is that if it were a stolen item that was reported, the interest of the authorities probably would end with a report for the insurance companies. If it was part of a bigger theft, like a warehouse robbery or truck hijacking then it would be under more scrutiny.

I'll ask again ... if you suspect that it's stolen goods, is it really worth it?

Any way to tell if it's stolen?

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