Buying in used phones off the street

**thesmitty68521** · 07-28-2010, 03:58 PM

I, like everyone, else likes to buy in cell phones from people who come in to my store and just wants to get rid of their phone. 99% are honest and don't attempt to sell you stolen goods.

However, that 1% sure can be costly. I had the police in my shop today that said two phones were reported stolen I had in my display case. I did some more investigating and sure enough the dirtbag sold me phones he stole. I lost the phones and $75.

Now, for the question... What do you all do to prevent this from happening? This is the first time it has happened to me in three years of doing this so, it isn't a terrible problem. But since it did happen, I want to prevent it from happening again.

**love2sin** · 07-28-2010, 04:09 PM

It coulda been worse. I,m pretty sure they could have busted you for receiving stolen property.

**whitey10tc** · 07-28-2010, 04:09 PM

I've never had it happen, but I know that one of the Pawn brokers I flash for lives by this rule. If it's reported lost or stolen with the original carrier, he turns it over to the police and pass on the "great deal". Although he is pretty good at spotting them when people walk in the door.

**thesmitty68521** · 07-28-2010, 04:13 PM

Originally Posted by love2sin

It coulda been worse. I,m pretty sure they could have busted you for receiving stolen property.

True that. It is a grey area on that. If I didn't know it was stolen then I really can't be charged. I did cooperate and because I do ID people who I buy from, it makes it much easier on the police. I am more cooperative than most of the dealers here in town. That helps my case quite a bit.

**Pac3comm1** · 07-28-2010, 04:31 PM

The best thing for you to is when they bring you a the device in question you need to call the carrier the phone is originally on and check the ESN or MEID. All of them will tell you whether or not it is reported lost or stolen. Well all of them except for sprint. they will only release that information unless you are a customer. if you need help finding customer service numbers to the carriers just let me know.

**ArkieKDealer** · 07-28-2010, 04:40 PM

Originally Posted by smitty68521

True that. It is a grey area on that. If I didn't know it was stolen then I really can't be charged. I did cooperate and because I do ID people who I buy from, it makes it much easier on the police. I am more cooperative than most of the dealers here in town. That helps my case quite a bit.

Not true. I had a phone shoplifted from my shop and activated on a Cricket account. I found who had it and the prosecuting attorney charged her with theft by receiving. PA said since I couldn't prove that she was the one who stole it that they could get her on that charge.

It's a slippery slope for sure and the reason I don't buy from people off the street unless I know them. I think if I did, I would go your route and get a copy or their ID or get name, address, birthday like pawn shops do.