Brand New iPhone Stolen by Mail Thief. What Can I Do to Block The Phone?

Linvitai on 11/10/2021 - 10:56
Last edited 23/10/2021 - 23:35 by 1 other user

I sold a brand new unopened iPhone on eBay and apparently it was stolen by mail thief.

Even though Australia Post tracking shows that the phone has been delivered to the buyer, buyer claims they never received it. eBay decides to refund the money. Seems like there's nothing I can do.

Unfortunately, I did not specifically ask Australia Post to do a person to person delivery so I am at lost. The GPS tracker by delivery service is not a strong enough evidence that the phone has been delivered. Now I don't have the phone, I don't have the money, and I can't seem to block the phone either.

Can't block it on Apple as I never opened the packaging to register the phone to my iCloud account
Can't block the phone with Telco as I never put a sim card into the phone
Can't report it to the Police as Police states its a civil matter between myself and eBay
Can't claim it from Auspost as I didn't opt for person to person delivery (my fault)

Now… I am ok living with the fact that I am at lost financially. But I am not ok with the thief out there enjoying the brand new iPhone!

Anything I can do to have the phone blocked? Any suggestions?

I have the IMEI, but no one would block it for me.
Police won't accept the case, and telco says they can only block imei if the phone has had a sim card in it.

and yes.. i do think the buyer is the thief, but i can't proof it.

Lesson #1: Don't sell on ebay :D
Lesson #2: If you want free stuff… look for private seller on ebay and report you never receive the item.

IMEI: 355852233219810

Mobile Apple Mobile Phone

Comments

SF3 on 11/10/2021 - 10:58

+31

buyer claims they never received it.

Sounds like you got scammed by the buyer…
- dust on 11/10/2021 - 11:20
  
  eBay tends to favour the buy unfortunately so if the buy did in fact receive it you might be out of luck here.
  - invitai on 11/10/2021 - 12:10
    
    Yup…
    
    Ebay basically says you are free to do the same thing to other seller on ebay.
    They will always favour the buyer.
    - SF3 on 11/10/2021 - 16:28
      
      +2
      
      Member Since
      25/06/2016
      
      Given the maturity of your account…
      
      Why didn't you take the "Cash on collect/pick up" path? (e.g. via Gumtree or FBMarketplace?)
      - invitai on 11/10/2021 - 17:14
        
        +1
        
        @SF3: I can't remember why I joined the forum, but I usually look for bargain to buy here.
        
        Not really into selling and probably never will…
        
        Quantumcat on 12/10/2021 - 13:08
        
        +2
        
        @invitai: If only you had not been into selling when you decided to sell the phone
        
        SF3 on 12/10/2021 - 21:47
        
        @Quantumcat: If only we could get our own DeLorean in such times.
87percent on 11/10/2021 - 11:01

+2

i hope Australia doesn't become like the US with porch pirates
- pharkurnell on 11/10/2021 - 11:11
  
  +6
  
  It already is.
  - InTheThickOfIt on 13/10/2021 - 08:36
    
    Ditto to this. It already happens now, but not to as viral or advertised extremes.
    
    I had a parcel taken in 2015. Annoying to as it was from a side entry with little view. But alas, what could I do. A $30 pair of shorts wasn’t worth the effort (at the time). I should have chased it up more.
    
    Please do chase up your item as much as you can. We’re talking about an item worth a weekly wage here, not a daily bonus. Good luck! And let’s hope karma is real and comes back to the swine.
bobbified on 11/10/2021 - 11:03

+2

I sold a brand new unopened iphone on ebay and apparently it was stolen by mail thief.

There's a good chance that "mail thief" actually lives in the address the phone was delivered to. (The buyer has probably just denied receiving it so they can lodge a claim to get a refund!)
GooseLord on 11/10/2021 - 11:04

+9

Why would you not get insurance on such an item?
- 87percent on 11/10/2021 - 11:09
  
  +6
  
  this is the ultimate stupidity in the whole transaction…
- User210686 on 11/10/2021 - 11:29
  
  +6
  
  I don't think insurance covers in this instance because according to Auspost, they delivered it.
  - Roney on 12/10/2021 - 19:55
    
    Maybe Austpost guy did it?
- invitai on 11/10/2021 - 12:11
  
  Wouldn't have worked, Auspost's record says its delivered
  - Ughhh on 11/10/2021 - 16:57
    
    +2
    
    I'm actually surprised that eBay refunded despite auspost says its delivered. Did you give ebay the tracking number?
    - invitai on 11/10/2021 - 17:16
      
      yes, from day 1.
      ebay is sort of bending the rule and citing that there's no signature.
      - Ughhh on 11/10/2021 - 19:26
        
        +3
        
        @invitai: https://www.ebay.com.au/help/policies/member-behavior-polici…
        
        Seller – When should I purchase signature confirmation in order to be protected against an 'item not received' case or a payment dispute?
        If the order has a total cost (including postage costs and any applicable taxes) of $750 or more, you're required to purchase signature confirmation to be protected if a buyer reports an item not received or opens a payment dispute. If you are posting internationally, see the signature confirmation thresholds table below to see if signature confirmation is required for the parcel.
        
        I assume your transaction was >$750
        
        DoctorCalculon on 12/10/2021 - 20:57
        
        @Ughhh: Judging by OP's silence it would be a safe bet.
        It is an Apple iPhone we are talking about here - one that they didn't even open.
Bafranz on 11/10/2021 - 11:04

+2

No imei on any paperwork?
- pharkurnell on 11/10/2021 - 11:35
  
  Lots of this O post doesnt make sense…
  - invitai on 11/10/2021 - 12:11
    
    -1
    
    Yes, made no sense to me too.
    I can't believe you are allowed to scam people on ebay and just get away with it
    - SF3 on 11/10/2021 - 20:41
      
      +1
      
      I can't believe you are allowed to scam people on ebay and just get away with it
      
      It sucks, but that's the rules of their game… Don't use them next time.
elgrande on 11/10/2021 - 11:05

+13

If it makes you feel any better the thief and the buyer are one and the same.
- snooksy on 12/10/2021 - 10:46
  
  +1
  
  Lots of this doesn’t make sense. Why were you selling a brand new phone without some form of insurance? Apple now gives 7 days included AppleCare to cover for theft or damage during or after delivery. A new iPhone can be over $2000 so why no insurance and why no signature? Australia Post normally takes a photo of anything they deliver. Have you viewed the photo? It sounds like OP thinks the phone was delivered but he hasn’t got proof? Get some proof.
pharkurnell on 11/10/2021 - 11:12

Surely the store you bought it from would have IMEI number…
valleyrain on 11/10/2021 - 11:13

Can't block it on apple as I never opened the packaging to register the phone to my icloud account

Even if you didn't open the packaging, you can find the IMEI on the box. I'm guessing you haven't noted it down or have photos of it.
How did you buy the phone? Check to see if the retailer has the IMEI in their system.
[Deactivated] on 11/10/2021 - 11:14

+3

it's strange that they refunded the buyer after the tracking showed that it was delivered and the buyer claimed they didn't get it as a reason for refund, i thought that was one of the few situations in which ebay would side with the seller.

nothing you can do about stopping the thief from enjoying the phone but i would suggest blocking the transaction from ebay if possible and just letting them close your account once they realise they can't get the money form you, it's not worth it to take the loss just to keep your account if they are going to behave like this.
- pharkurnell on 11/10/2021 - 11:29
  
  it's strange that they refunded the buyer
  
  You havent dealt with ebay years have you?
  - [Deactivated] on 11/10/2021 - 11:53
    
    i'm well aware that ebay is quite unfriendly for sellers, but there are a select few situations in which i thought ebay tended to side with the seller, such as;
    
    a buyer claiming they did not receive an item despite tracking showing that the item was delivered.
    - pharkurnell on 11/10/2021 - 12:28
      
      Complete with tracking I'm down $500… Ebay/paypal couldn't give a shit about private sellers.
- User210686 on 11/10/2021 - 11:33
  
  +1
  
  There was a similar scam reported by another user not long ago https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/634357
  - invitai on 11/10/2021 - 17:17
    
    Yes… looks like a similar issue.
    
    Ebay has no place for private sellers.
SBOB on 11/10/2021 - 11:19

+1

Member Since
25/06/2016
Statistics
1 posts

I sold a brand new unopened iphone on ebay

you have learnt nothing from here in 5 years?

But I am not ok with the thief out there enjoying the brand new iphone!

you mean buyer enjoying their free brand new iphone
bobokingdom on 11/10/2021 - 11:27

How much was the transaction? Did you pick Signature on delivery if it is over $750?
- User210686 on 11/10/2021 - 11:37
  
  +1
  
  Signature on delivery is useless unfortunately because the delivery driver only asks for the name of the receiver (contactless delivery).
  Anyone who happens to be at the address can receive it on behalf of the addressee.
  
  https://auspost.com.au/content/dam/auspost_corp/media/docume…
  
  "Australia Post has no obligation to verify the identity of the person providing their signature;
  3. if a person appears to have authority to sign for an article, Australia Post
  can rely on that apparent authority where it considers it reasonable to do so;"
  - bobokingdom on 11/10/2021 - 16:41
    
    +2
    
    eBay seller protection will cover trackable delivery (less than $750) or trackable plus signature (over $750). Signature on Delivery seems useless to prove the identity of the person but as long as the product got delivered to the address on the buyer's account, the seller will be covered for "Not Received". Auspost insurance will not help as long as the parcel was scanned as delivered.
- Ocker on 11/10/2021 - 12:13
  
  For seller protection by eBay, for items valued at over $750 the seller needs to specify signature on delivery.
  AusPost state:
  "If the sender has requested a signature, someone will still need to be home for delivery. The postie will ask for and record a name before confirming delivery on their handheld device. They'll then leave the item at the door".
  Meeting that criteria a seller is protected for an INR claim.
tallkid123 on 11/10/2021 - 11:31

Should've gotten insurance, OP.

For those of you selling phones in the future, it's either face to face or if that's not possible, sell through a mobile phone trading service like Mazuma, Mobile Monster, Greener Mobile etc.
Muzeeb on 11/10/2021 - 11:38

-1

Signature on delivery and insurance would have avoided this.
- Heaps for Cheaps on 11/10/2021 - 11:42
  
  +1
  
  You should have told him that before he sent it, avoiding the whole situation.
  - Muzeeb on 11/10/2021 - 11:52
    
    Crystal ball was deflated last week
User210686 on 11/10/2021 - 11:41

to OP, I don't think person-to-person delivery is applicable to parcels. I recently sold something and asked for the ptp service but Auspost staff told me it was only available to registered post "letters." Not sure that's accurate though.

Here it says person to person
"Available only with domestic Registered Post."
page 4 https://auspost.com.au/content/dam/auspost_corp/media/docume…
- snooksy on 12/10/2021 - 10:49
  
  Yes signature on delivery typically means registered post. Send the phone with registered post
  - Quantumcat on 12/10/2021 - 13:05
    
    Registered post is for letters. All parcels have tracking.
Heaps for Cheaps on 11/10/2021 - 11:46

+1

I have to say that although it 99% is the buyer, I had a situation where I ordered a book from overseas and fortunately I was home for lunch when it was dropped at the door.. I picked it up and a 20 seconds later a man in a hoodie was at the door searching for something. I confronted him and he said he was looking for the house next door, but then walked straight past the house…
- Muzeeb on 11/10/2021 - 11:54
  
  +4
  
  He would have hopped in his car around the corner to quickly catch up to the courier van to try his luck on the next delivery address.
kolorijo on 11/10/2021 - 12:20

Future transaction: Gumtree or FB Market and cash only.

Also, read up on how to do this safely and securely
thatonethere on 11/10/2021 - 12:22

-1

if you still have the receipt with the apple serial number on it - you can remove the icloud lock on it by contacting Apple. So potentially make it hard for whomever has it to use it (as they will have to keep setting it up each time you contact Apple - of course Apple might get sick of you asking for the lock to be removed).
- DoctorCalculon on 11/10/2021 - 21:24
  
  +2
  
  you can remove the icloud lock on it by contacting Apple
  
  Do you even know what you are talking about here? What you wrote above makes absolutely ZERO sense.
  
  When you buy a brand new Apple device (iPhone, iPad, Mac, etc.), unless you open the box and setup the device using an Apple ID, there is NO ICLOUD LOCK.
  
  OP didn't even open the box (read above). So, there was no iCloud lock on it.
  
  The thief now has a brand new iPhone. Now they can set it up using their own Apple ID, and thus create an iCloud lock on the device.
  
  Apple will not help OP as they never registered the stolen iPhone with their own Apple ID.
  - thatonethere on 11/10/2021 - 23:40
    
    Ok
    
    Thief has brand new phone and now sets up icloud user on it (or sells it again to another user)
    
    OP can use proof of purchase via an Apple store or contacting their email address to remove icloud from the device thus disrupting the holder of the device who would be trying to use it.
    
    We do a fair number of these at my work. When you can wipe the device and start again.
    
    Hope that helps explain things
    - DoctorCalculon on 11/10/2021 - 23:57
      
      +1
      
      OP can use proof of purchase via an Apple store or contacting their email address to remove icloud from the device thus disrupting the holder of the device who would be trying to use it.
      
      Good luck with that. You wrongly assume Apple will help remove an iCloud lock because you have provided a receipt (which can be forged).
      
      When you can wipe the device and start again.
      
      You cannot remote wipe if you are not the holder of the iCloud lock. Once again, you are dreaming if Apple Care (Technical Support) will remove an iCloud lock based on a receipt. Then that would be a very nice loophole that someone can leverage to lock you out of your own device if they get their hands on your device serial number.
      - thatonethere on 12/10/2021 - 00:30
        
        @DoctorCalculon: Yes they do. Sorry if that is a surprise to you.
        
        DoctorCalculon on 12/10/2021 - 01:57
        
        +1
        
        @thatonethere:
        
        Yes they do.
        
        Sure, if you go to the Genius bar with both the physical device and receipt.
        
        OP may be in possession of the latter but definitely not the former.
        
        Google: "Ask Apple to Remove Activation Lock for You"
        
        Apple will remove Activation Lock from a device for which you have a valid proof of purchase. You can do this in one of two ways: Make an appointment at your local Apple Store. Take your device, your proof of purchase, and your best smile.
        
        The above also applies to over the phone unlocks. Apple will first send you a 2FA token via push notification to confirm you are in physical possession of the device.
        
        Sorry if that is a surprise to you.
        
        I hate to break it to you that you are so wrong.
        OP needs to be in physical possession of both device + receipt for Apple to assist them.
Davo1111 on 11/10/2021 - 13:03

this is on page 1 of the scam book, shortly followed by "wallet inspector"
Hithere on 11/10/2021 - 13:33

Ebay is full of scammers who make false claims for INR knowing that the seller will always lose.

Wave your money goodbye OP, there's nothing you can do about it.

Cash on pickup on eBay, Gumtree, and Facebook Marketplace are the only completely safe methods of online selling.
- Quantumcat on 11/10/2021 - 14:34
  
  You can't enforce cash on pickup on ebay, you have to have PayPal or a merchant credit card account available on ebay. If someone buys it and pays by PayPal you'll have to refund, cancel the sale and start again
  - Hithere on 11/10/2021 - 15:06
    
    You are largely correct, however, the majority of what I sold on eBay was local pickup only and when negotiating a price or exchanging details before payment I mentioned to the buyer that cash qualified them for a discount on pickup.
    
    I knew eBay officially frowned on it but I was never warned or penalised by eBay and never struck a buyer who refused an extra 5% - 10% off the already negotiated low price.
    - Quantumcat on 11/10/2021 - 15:31
      
      You definitely can do it but you can't stop a buyer ignoring you and paying by PayPal anyway.
Hithere on 11/10/2021 - 15:41

A couple tried early in the sale, usually noobs, I just refunded their money 'Problem with their address' ;)

A PITA but there was always another buyer.

I don't bother anymore as eBay is just a waste of time for most people, except the big Chinese sellers/dropshippers.
OzHunterNSW on 12/10/2021 - 11:18

-1

They take photos now of where they have dropped the item. You should have received this image. Did it look safe and secure to you?

Why would you send an expensive item "un-insured"? Why didn't you insist a signature at the other end?

You simply ring the telco, notify of your phone IM(?) number… and they will brick the phone…. do it NOW…. TODAY!
jayboi on 12/10/2021 - 18:48

If you put in the imei here https://iunlocker.com/check_icloud.php does it say its iCloud locked, if so then somebody is currently using the phone and it should have a SIM card inside it to get blocked

Brand New iPhone Stolen by Mail Thief. What Can I Do to Block The Phone?

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