Bought A Stolen iPhone? Here's How To Check

Buying an used iPhone might save you some money, but there is an inherent risk involved — if the phone turns out to be stolen, you might risk a run-in with the authorities. Furthermore, carriers keep a record of stolen IDs and will disallow network access as soon as they discover that a device was stolen.

So if you are getting a deal on an used iPhone, it would advisable to find out whether the device is stolen one or not. The U.S. wireless industry trade advocacy group, Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association (CTIA), has launched a tool called the Stolen Phone Tracker for the purpose.

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“Before you buy or sell a second-hand mobile device, you should check to see if the device has been reported lost or stolen. This is because if someone inadvertently buys a reported lost or stolen device the rightful owner may have already requested the device be blocked from accessing wireless carrier networks. The rightful owner may have also activated a device protection feature that prevents the use of the device, rendering the device inoperable,” CTIA’s Stolen Phone Tracker Page says.

To use the Stolen Phone Tracker, you simply need to put in your phone’s IMEI or MEID or ESN in the box below “Check the device here” on the web page. These refer to unique codes assigned to each phone.

The service is available only to U.S. consumers and is limited to five free queries per day.

In case you don’t know the device’s IMEI, MEID or ESN, there are multiples ways to find it :

• Dial *#06# from your phone
• Look for it in device settings
• Look at the back cover
• Check device packaging

The usage tracker on the website states, at the time of writing, 717 devices have been checked using the tool.

The website advises users to protect their phones with PINs and passwords. For iPhone users, the FindMyiPhone app is highly recommended as it not only allows users to trace their phones but even lets them remotely wipe the information on the device. Furthermore, if their device is stolen, they should immediately inform their wireless carrier and law enforcement authorities.

Incidents of iPhone theft have been increasing every year. In April, a thief stole a hundred phones at Coachella festival, Indio California. He was caught only because the people, whose phones were stolen, started tracking them via the FindMyIphone app. In this particular case, the pickpocket accused of the crime, Reinaldo de Jesus Henao, was still hanging around the festival and hadn’t switched the phones off.

Read: 'Find My iPhone' App Helps Track Thief Who Stole 100 iPhones At Coachella

Had he done so, the phones might not have been traced, and would have ended up in the used phones market. But then, using tools such as the one made by CTIA, you might be able to stay clear of such phones.