Add me to the list of Stolen iPhone People.. Help?

[Virgo]

I just got back home. Turns out that the cops couldn't help me at all, because I didn't actually see the person who took my phone. I went to the bar on the corner and there were some really friendly people there from the area who were helping me and my friend brainstorm as to what to do. We knocked on some doors but like I thought, it was inconclusive. And of course, if someone is being dishonest enough to keep the phone, they would easily lie and say they know nothing about it.

By the time we got there, find my iPhone registered the phone as offline, and stayed offline from then onward. I will try to track it again tomorrow, because hopefully they take it to work with them or something like a public location, and maybe turn it on.

My question is, is there a point in setting up a remote wipe, or would that just be doing them a favor? The remote lock is on, so they can't access my stuff. By doing a remote wipe, I would just block myself from ever being able to track again, right? And give them free reins with the phone? I just don't know the best way to go about this. Someone also told me that the NYPD has a special iPhone task force, anyone know anything about that?

If all else fails, I'll just have to settle for a T-Mobile android phone, cuz I can't afford to shell out for unlocked again.

 

[Virgo]

So yesterday, I figured out that I could see the satellite view on the Find My iPhone page. It showed me the exact building that the phone was in on the 16th. A 4 floor apt building.

I went back with my friend and we talked to everyone who was home. Negative results. They all seemed like nice normal people, but a few of them mentioned one specific apt with a guy who they think is sketchy and on drugs. He wasn't home.

We posted signs all over the apt. Not much more we can do. If the person decides to be honest.. great. If not, then soon I'll have to cancel that phone with T-Mobile and get a cheaper one.

I have a question though: I did a remote lock with the phone, but not a remote wipe. The lock did activate, but since that evening (2/16/2012), the phone has not been online for any of my FMI acts to go through. If I locked the phone, will they ever be able to access my info?

Thanks

 

[cynics]

So yesterday, I figured out that I could see the satellite view on the Find My iPhone page. It showed me the exact building that the phone was in on the 16th. A 4 floor apt building.

I went back with my friend and we talked to everyone who was home. Negative results. They all seemed like nice normal people, but a few of them mentioned one specific apt with a guy who they think is sketchy and on drugs. He wasn't home.

We posted signs all over the apt. Not much more we can do. If the person decides to be honest.. great. If not, then soon I'll have to cancel that phone with T-Mobile and get a cheaper one.

I have a question though: I did a remote lock with the phone, but not a remote wipe. The lock did activate, but since that evening (2/16/2012), the phone has not been online for any of my FMI acts to go through. If I locked the phone, will they ever be able to access my info?

Thanks

Since the phone didn't go offline immediately as if the guy was smart enough to pop out the sim you are probably OK. When you drop the hammer on cancelling the phone I would remote wipe it if it comes back on. Report it to everyone as stolen too.

 

[Virgo]

Since the phone didn't go offline immediately as if the guy was smart enough to pop out the sim you are probably OK. When you drop the hammer on cancelling the phone I would remote wipe it if it comes back on. Report it to everyone as stolen too.

Ok, I think I'll do that. It just sucks that having the serial number and IMEI number means nothing to apple. There should be some way to report the serial as stolen, and if it pops up on their network they should do something about it.

 

[lordofthereef]

It just sucks that having the serial number and IMEI number means nothing to apple.

Well, what is it supposed to mean to Apple? Let's consider something else. I sell my phone legitimately, and I call Apple to say that it was stolen, just so I can cause grief. Apple is treating this the same as any other electronics company is going to treat it. basically, it's a way for them to track warranty services and to know what make/model your phone was.

I am really truly sad for your loss. I know I would probably feel sick over this if it was me. That said, I am happy you posted your experiences here. You see the news about a person finding his/her iPhone with the aid of FMI and the police, and all of the sudden people think that FMI is going to cure cancer. Fact is, unless the phone is simply lost and has not been picked up by someone already, it is rarely going to be brought back. Far more phones are returned as a result of good Samaritans than with FMI.

 

[matttye]

No insurance?

 

[acfusion29]

It just sucks that having the serial number and IMEI number means nothing to apple.

SN = for Apple

IMEI/ESN = for the network providers

 

[Shadowbech]

I have a question though: I did a remote lock with the phone, but not a remote wipe. The lock did activate, but since that evening (2/16/2012), the phone has not been online for any of my FMI acts to go through. If I locked the phone, will they ever be able to access my info?

Thanks

No they will not be able to access your info. Unless the person takes the sim card out and put it into his own iphone he could find out the number, but that's about it, he can then possible go online and find out that number.

 

[nwmtnbiker]

I would knock on every door and tell whoever answers that I know you have my iPhone and would like it back before I involve the police. You might have 4 floors of people really pissed off. Take a video camera and record what happens when they open the door lol.

 

[lordofthereef]

I would knock on every door and tell whoever answers that I know you have my iPhone and would like it back before I involve the police. You might have 4 floors of people really pissed off. Take a video camera and record what happens when they open the door lol.

You also may get a bullet to the face, in that neighborhood. Just saying.

 

[Virgo]

Well, what is it supposed to mean to Apple? Let's consider something else. I sell my phone legitimately, and I call Apple to say that it was stolen, just so I can cause grief. Apple is treating this the same as any other electronics company is going to treat it. basically, it's a way for them to track warranty services and to know what make/model your phone was.

I am really truly sad for your loss. I know I would probably feel sick over this if it was me. That said, I am happy you posted your experiences here. You see the news about a person finding his/her iPhone with the aid of FMI and the police, and all of the sudden people think that FMI is going to cure cancer. Fact is, unless the phone is simply lost and has not been picked up by someone already, it is rarely going to be brought back. Far more phones are returned as a result of good Samaritans than with FMI.

It's just frustrating to know exactly what building it was in and not be able to do anything about it. It would have been a whole different story if the person came up to my face and said give me your iPhone. Then I'd have a profile on them. I wish that is what happened.

No insurance?

No . Just bought unlocked at the Apple store in November and called it a day. Might seem silly to some, but I have had cell phones and smartphones since 2005 and I'm insanely careful with them, always had them until I got rid of them or sold them, this is the first time that I've had something like this happen. First time for everything I guess.

 

[cynics]

I would knock on every door and tell whoever answers that I know you have my iPhone and would like it back before I involve the police. You might have 4 floors of people really pissed off. Take a video camera and record what happens when they open the door lol.

I don't know if someone came to my door and did that I'd probably mess with them telling them its my phone now and such or I sold it on the black market.

My old work phone had a similar number to a local pizza place, it was impossible for me to resist pretending to take someones order and telling them we'd be out in 45 to 60 minutes. I just like messing with people sometimes when they set themselves up. Lol

----------

Oh btw what you could try is going to the apartment where you think it might be when its on. With your ear to the door set off the alert and see if you can hear it.

 

[lordofthereef]

SN = for Apple

IMEI/ESN = for the network providers

AFAIK ATT doesn;t care about IMEI, or at leas that is what I have read. Either way, it's an unlocked phone, not one purchased locked to ATT, so I would expect they would care even less.

----------

It's just frustrating to know exactly what building it was in and not be able to do anything about it. It would have been a whole different story if the person came up to my face and said give me your iPhone. Then I'd have a profile on them. I wish that is what happened.

I'd personally rather not be mugged. To each his own.

 

[Virgo]

Oh btw what you could try is going to the apartment where you think it might be when its on. With your ear to the door set off the alert and see if you can hear it.

This is exactly what I would do, but unfortunately the phone hasn't been "on" (using my credentials, as far as FMI lets me see) since the evening of the 16th.

 

[lordofthereef]

No . Just bought unlocked at the Apple store in November and called it a day. Might seem silly to some, but I have had cell phones and smartphones since 2005 and I'm insanely careful with them, always had them until I got rid of them or sold them, this is the first time that I've had something like this happen. First time for everything I guess.

Lesson learned I guess?

IMO insurance isn't necessarily there that you expect to use it. On a larger scale, we don't pay homeowner's insurance expecting to have a fire or because we like to play with matchsticks in the bedroom. Likewise, I don't have health insurance expecting to be hospitalized in an automobile accident. I am very careful too. /hintofsarcasm

Can I ask an off topic question? You bought the 64GB unlocked phone to use on TMO. That was what, $900? Why didn't you just go with ATT? Seems like, after paying full price on that phone, there would be no difference in price in the long run.

 

[andyx3x]

I would knock on every door and tell whoever answers that I know you have my iPhone and would like it back before I involve the police. You might have 4 floors of people really pissed off. Take a video camera and record what happens when they open the door lol.

You also may get a bullet to the face, in that neighborhood. Just saying.

Yeah, very slim odds of making it home alive if you do that.

 

[Virgo]

Lesson learned I guess?

IMO insurance isn't necessarily there that you expect to use it. On a larger scale, we don't pay homeowner's insurance expecting to have a fire or because we like to play with matchsticks in the bedroom. Likewise, I don't have health insurance expecting to be hospitalized in an automobile accident. I am very careful too. /hintofsarcasm

Can I ask an off topic question? You bought the 64GB unlocked phone to use on TMO. That was what, $900? Why didn't you just go with ATT? Seems like, after paying full price on that phone, there would be no difference in price in the long run.

I'm on a family plan with T-Mobile and I don't pay my own phone bill. I'm a college student and I don't spend a lot of money but I decided to work hard and save up to treat myself to the iPhone, also planning it as a temporary investment to get most of the money back when I sell the 4S and buy the next iPhone (by then thinking I would buy it subsidized). Guess not.

 

[lordofthereef]

I'm on a family plan with T-Mobile and I don't pay my own phone bill.

Makes sense. Lucky guy!

 

[techguy20]

Could the battery have gone dead, causing it to appear offline, you think?

(Sorry for the loss. I know how frustrating it is.)

 

[Virgo]

Could the battery have gone dead, causing it to appear offline, you think?

(Sorry for the loss. I know how frustrating it is.)

It's a possibility, but seems like most people at least have an iPod or know someone with an iPod charger so they should be able to get it back up and running. I'm not banking on it.. it's probably a lost cause. Thanks though.

At this point I would just get a contracted SGSII but I'm not gonna do that just a couple months before the SGSIII gets here. =\ wish I didn't have to think about this mess.

 

[saberahul]

Every time I read something like this, I feel like buying a remote triggered permanent paint thingy that would put a dark blue paint on the guys face who stole it. If he didn't steal it, well bad luck.

 

[cynics]

It's a possibility, but seems like most people at least have an iPod or know someone with an iPod charger so they should be able to get it back up and running. I'm not banking on it.. it's probably a lost cause. Thanks though.

At this point I would just get a contracted SGSII but I'm not gonna do that just a couple months before the SGSIII gets here. =\ wish I didn't have to think about this mess.

Don't wait for technology. There will always be something better coming out. Be it iPhone 5/6 or galaxy s3....You'll always wish you waited anyway.

 

[packsherpah]

recommendation

Here is a recommendation. If you spent all the time that you have been looking for/worrying about this lost iphone 4s actually working at some job (even a college student type job), you would have already paid for a new one by now. The iphone is the hottest piece of tech on the planet, especially in NYC - land of the over privileged. People have them stolen right out of their hands on the subway every day so its hard to feel bad for you when you actually left it somewhere and expect it to get returned, highly unlikely. Your iphone is long gone - start planning on how you are going to replace it. Give law school a shot - bill 2-3 hours to a client and you will have your phone back.

 

[stark4]

I don't understand why Apple or wireless carrier didn't create a universal serial/IMEI/ESN database and if the phone is reported lost/stolen the phone is history and can't reactivate on any network anymore... (i think that's how blackberry phones work right?). If they do that nobody will steal the phone anymore because it's useless when it's reported stolen.

and also why police can't help the OP. Ok the phone is lost not stolen but now FMI is showing that the phone is at someone's house. So they should label it from "lost" to "stolen" simply because it's at someone's house now. Why are they making thief to steal the iPhone so easily and get away with it.

 

[KPOM]

No . Just bought unlocked at the Apple store in November and called it a day. Might seem silly to some, but I have had cell phones and smartphones since 2005 and I'm insanely careful with them, always had them until I got rid of them or sold them, this is the first time that I've had something like this happen. First time for everything I guess.

Double check your renter's insurance policy. A lot of them have theft insurance included, albeit subject to your deductible. Even with a $250 or $500 deductible, getting something back for an $849 phone is better than nothing. Also, if you bought your phone in November, check to see if your credit card company has theft protection. American Express, for instance, includes 90 days of theft protection. Depending on when in November, you might be able to make a claim.

----------

At this point I would just get a contracted SGSII but I'm not gonna do that just a couple months before the SGSIII gets here. =\ wish I didn't have to think about this mess.

Why not just get a replacement iPhone on contract rather than a Galaxy S III?

----------

Yeah, very slim odds of making it home alive if you do that.

Greenpoint isn't that bad. There's a large Polish population there and it borders Williamsburg, which is a trendy area.