Stolen iPhone still in "erase pending" after 2+ weeks

[jekjones1558]

I put my iPhone 5 into lost mode immediately after it was taken and was able to track it on my iPad for 12 or so hours. At that point it was shut off. A couple of days later it was turned on briefly (I got an alert) then shut off and I put it into erase mode. The erase is still pending. I also notified Verizon to add it to the blacklist (I did this on Apr. 17 and the phone was taken on Apr. 14). I bought a new iPhone (ouch) on Apr. 17 but am worried that the old one has never been erased. I have changed passwords on accounts, apps, etc. What else can I do? I am guessing someone put it into airplane mode and restored as new phone???

[hexonxonx]

Nothing you can do now but enjoy the new phone.

If the thief restored the phone, it's like a brand new iPhone as far as the erase is concerned and all your stuff is no longer accessible.

[Ste Nova]

what did you do during the 12 hrs of tracking?

[maflynn]

Originally Posted by hexonxonx

Nothing you can do now but enjoy the new phone.

If the thief restored the phone, it's like a brand new iPhone as far as the erase is concerned and all your stuff is no longer accessible.

Yeah at this point, there's nothing you can do and so this advice is the best. Nothing more can be done for the stolen phone to try to wipe.

I agree it's difficult to have some peace if your info is there for the picking. Perhaps a lock code on your phone from now on, and it will wipe itself after x times of trying. That way you can be sure your data is safe

[jekjones1558]

Originally Posted by Ste Nova

what did you do during the 12 hrs of tracking?

I dropped the phone in Disney World as I was getting on a ride. I could not see it and the employees would not let me look for it. I think it was right under the car I was sitting in. The phone never moved from where I dropped it during the 12 hours of tracking. I was told that it would be retrieved, if possible, and turned into lost and found by the workers after the park closed. The phone was still there are ringing at 10 minutes after park closing. At 19 minutes after park closing, it was shut off. I was still not super worried because I was told that it would be shut off to preserve battery. Then when it showed up in Downtown Orlando I knew that any employee had taken it and I put it in erase mode but it hasn't been trackable since then and the erase is pending. I am very upset with Disney for not allowing me to try to retrieve my phone, even if it meant stopping the ride for a couple of minutes. We are not talking about a flip flop here.

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Originally Posted by maflynn

Yeah at this point, there's nothing you can do and so this advice is the best. Nothing more can be done for the stolen phone to try to wipe.

I agree it's difficult to have some peace if your info is there for the picking. Perhaps a lock code on your phone from now on, and it will wipe itself after x times of trying. That way you can be sure your data is safe

I do have a lock code on my new phone, now that the horses are out of the barn.

[Ste Nova]

I would have locked with a message on the screen with a contact number

[jekjones1558]

That is what I originally did. When it became clear that it was not going to be turned in to Lost and Found, I changed to erase mode.

[Leonard1818]

I'd go ahead and change the email address associated to your apple ID lest you run the risk of whoever has it seeing your imessages (or you getting theirs).

[Jordan921]

Nothing else you can really do. The phone is blacklisted now so all the their can do is restore and use as an iPod.

[dave420]

Originally Posted by jekjones1558

The phone was still there are ringing at 10 minutes after park closing. At 19 minutes after park closing, it was shut off. I was still not super worried because I was told that it would be shut off to preserve battery. Then when it showed up in Downtown Orlando I knew that any employee had taken it and I put it in erase mode but it hasn't been trackable since then and the erase is pending.

I do think you have a reason to be upset with Disney. It sounds like an employee just took your phone. I would suggest contacting Disney through multiple methods (phone, email, letter) to report your experience. Be sure to specify the exact time and ride location.

[jekjones1558]

I did file a report with Security and sent an email to Guest Communications. An adjuster determined that Disney did nothing wrong. Surprise. Although the cost to me is a problem, I am even more upset about the way I was refused help in retrieving my phone. I returned to the ride multiple times to beg but got no help. Their policy regarding items of value like phones and cameras is not right.

[cruisencode]

Originally Posted by jekjones1558

I did file a report with Security and sent an email to Guest Communications. An adjuster determined that Disney did nothing wrong. Surprise. Although the cost to me is a problem, I am even more upset about the way I was refused help in retrieving my phone. I returned to the ride multiple times to beg but got no help. Their policy regarding items of value like phones and cameras is not right.

Are you saying you dropped the phone under the ride and you wanted to climb/reach down there to get it? It sounds like their policy is in place in order to prevent an accident. Is your arm/life worth less than your iPhone?

[jekjones1558]

I wanted them to stop the ride for a minute so I could reach under the car to get the phone. It dropped through the crack onto the floor beneath the vehicle before the door on the vehicle closed. When that was refused I asked to be present when the ride was shut down so that I could call the phone with my sister's cell and it could be retrieved for me. When that was refused I asked that someone take my cell phone number and call it at closing to locate it and then call me. That was also refused.

[big samm]

I always tell people to use the erase feature as a LAST RESORT, now that you have wiped the phone all the settings will be deleted, that means no more find my iphone since all the credentials will be wiped, now that person can use it as a ipod touch now that the device passcode is gone...
Best thing to do is put a password and leave it like that, without the password no restore is possible neither a back up.

[jekjones1558]

Originally Posted by big samm

I always tell people to use the erase feature as a LAST RESORT, now that you have wiped the phone all the settings will be deleted, that means no more find my iphone since all the credentials will be wiped, now that person can use it as a ipod touch now that the device passcode is gone...
Best thing to do is put a password and leave it like that, without the password no restore is possible neither a back up.

The phone is still in lost mode but the erase is pending. I guess there is no way to undo the pending erase?

[big samm]

Originally Posted by jekjones1558

The phone is still in lost mode but the erase is pending. I guess there is no way to undo the pending erase?

Nope! The reason why it's still pending is because you cut the service with verizon, and now the phone as no data to receive the command to auto erase itself, and since the phone is lock on password it can't connect to the internet via wifi neither...

[jekjones1558]

Originally Posted by big samm

Nope! The reason why it's still pending is because you cut the service with verizon, and now the phone as no data to receive the command to auto erase itself, and since the phone is lock on password it can't connect to the internet via wifi neither...

I should have figured that out. Oh well, live and learn. I am obviously not a technological whiz. If I get through this with only a $750 loss and no data privacy problems then I will chalk it up to one of life's lessons. But I am still not happy with Disney...

[big samm]

Originally Posted by jekjones1558

I should have figured that out. Oh well, live and learn. I am obviously not a technological whiz. If I get through this with only a $750 loss and no data privacy problems then I will chalk it up to one of life's lessons. But I am still not happy with Disney...

Trust me i've learned my lesson too, i once lost my 3Gs at the time, took the lost and bought another one!

[aneftp]

Originally Posted by Jordan921

Nothing else you can really do. The phone is blacklisted now so all the their can do is restore and use as an iPod.

Nope incorrect. OP has a verizon iPhone 5. It's unlocked for GSM use. Kiss that iPhone 5 goodbye.

I live in Orlando area. That iPhone 5 probably got resold on the cheap (say $350) to a reseller who will ultimately resell it to European/South American tourist. That iPhone 5 is heading to another county.

It doesn't matter if its blacklisted. It will still be operational cause all of Verizon iPhone 5 are GSM unlocked out of the box.

[jekjones1558]

Originally Posted by aneftp

Nope incorrect. OP has a verizon iPhone 5. It's unlocked for GSM use. Kiss that iPhone 5 goodbye.

I live in Orlando area. That iPhone 5 probably got resold on the cheap (say $350) to a reseller who will ultimately resell it to European/South American tourist. That iPhone 5 is heading to another county.

It doesn't matter if its blacklisted. It will still be operational cause all of Verizon iPhone 5 are GSM unlocked out of the box.

So...what about my data on the phone?
I hope whoever ends up with it is good to it. It has never been without a screensaver and case. It looked like brand new. It feels like having a beloved pet die. A new one is great but there is still a hole left by the old one.

[Peter K.]

True, but it won't have LTE.

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Originally Posted by aneftp

Nope incorrect. OP has a verizon iPhone 5. It's unlocked for GSM use. Kiss that iPhone 5 goodbye.

I live in Orlando area. That iPhone 5 probably got resold on the cheap (say $350) to a reseller who will ultimately resell it to European/South American tourist. That iPhone 5 is heading to another county.

It doesn't matter if its blacklisted. It will still be operational cause all of Verizon iPhone 5 are GSM unlocked out of the box.

Just to be clear, this is the message, to which I was replying.

[aneftp]

Originally Posted by jekjones1558

So...what about my data on the phone?
I hope whoever ends up with it is good to it. It has never been without a screensaver and case. It looked like brand new. It feels like having a beloved pet die. A new one is great but there is still a hole left by the old one.

The iPhone will be restored to factory state. Unless u have top secret information on the phone. Most thiefs do a quick wipe of the data on the phone. They will quickly realize its a CDMA/sprint/verizon iPhone 5. They will figure its a Verizon iPhone 5 that's been blacklisted.

They could flash it another CDMA carrier. But it's orlando and just easier just to resell it as unlock HSPA plus iPhone 5 to international tourist.

[617aircav]

Originally Posted by jekjones1558

So...what about my data on the phone?
I hope whoever ends up with it is good to it. It has never been without a screensaver and case. It looked like brand new. It feels like having a beloved pet die. A new one is great but there is still a hole left by the old one.

Oh get over it mate. At the end of the day it's just a phone. Comparing it to a pet is preposterous and insane.

[jekjones1558]

Originally Posted by aneftp

The iPhone will be restored to factory state. Unless u have top secret information on the phone. Most thiefs do a quick wipe of the data on the phone. They will quickly realize its a CDMA/sprint/verizon iPhone 5. They will figure its a Verizon iPhone 5 that's been blacklisted.

They could flash it another CDMA carrier. But it's orlando and just easier just to resell it as unlock HSPA plus iPhone 5 to international tourist.

Okay. I am just an old retired lady with no CIA caliber secrets so I will take that worry off my plate. Thanks for the info.

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Originally Posted by 617aircav

Oh get over it mate. At the end of the day it's just a phone. Comparing it to a pet is preposterous and insane.

Well I am still heartsick over our wonderful dog who died 3 years ago, so, yes, I admit I have a problem with letting go.

Thanks to everyone who helped me understand how this all works.

[maxosx]

Originally Posted by jekjones1558

So...what about my data on the phone?
I hope whoever ends up with it is good to it.

This isn't the 60's. Thieves in most large cities are pros, in public they'll grab them right out of your hands, happens so frequently it's not funny.

They grab your personal data for ID theft & resell the phone. We have lots of reports of that here in Los Angeles, Disneyland Anaheim, San Francisco, any large cities.

It's best to lock it down with a strong password & have it set to wipe on the third try. Anything else is sheer denial. iPhones are extremely popular targets for thieves. They're worth the most on the open & underground markets no matter what the condition or carrier.

Sorry for your loss.