Conflict with amazon over iPhone return, need a bit of help!

[macthekatt]

Hello everyone!
I have a bit of a problem and need some help.
I recently bought an iPhone 16E from amazon.uk.
It was a gift for someone who decided they want to stick to their Oppo after all (I know, I know...)
I tried to return the iPhone to amazon the next day - unopened, still in the box it came with.
Amazon refused the return, deleted my account and asked for government- issued ID or work permit?!
I don't drive and don't have a passport. I also don't have a work permit since I am British.
As such, the only way for me to get my money back is to open a chargeback with my bank.
Being stuck with this iPhone, I thought I might try to use it myself.
Problem - I now think amazon might put - or activate - some kind of remote spyware on the phone, given I am in open conflict with the company.
Would it be possible for them to spy on the phone, to block it or to create any other problem for me, as they have the IMEI and who knows what else?
Is this phone safe to use or should I just sell it on Ebay?🙂
Thanks for reading and for any helpful suggestions!

 

[Reverend Benny]

Hello everyone!
I have a bit of a problem and need some help.
I recently bought an iPhone 16E from amazon.uk.
It was a gift for someone who decided they want to stick to their Oppo after all (I know, I know...)
I tried to return the iPhone to amazon the next day - unopened, still in the box it came with.
Amazon refused the return, deleted my account and asked for government- issued ID or work permit?!
I don't drive and don't have a passport. I also don't have a work permit since I am British.
As such, the only way for me to get my 800 GBP back is to open a chargeback with my bank.
Being stuck with this iPhone, I thought I might try to use it myself.
Problem - I now have an attack of paranoia and think amazon might put - or activate - some kind of spyware on the phone, given I am now in open conflict with the company.
Would it be possible for them to spy on the phone, to block it or to create any other problem for me, as they have the IMEI and who knows what else?
Is this phone safe to use or should I just sell it on Ebay?🙂
Thanks for reading and for any helpful suggestions!

If you know you are being paranoid and know its an attack of paranoia I guess you know yourself fairly good to know its not something you shouldn't listen to or act upon.
Amazon has better things to do than to stalk random people.

 

[macthekatt]

That was /sarcasm...

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Problem - I now think amazon might put - or activate - some kind of remote spyware on the phone, given I am in open conflict with the company.

You are in conflict with Amazon, yes.

Amazon is not in conflict with you - they’ve cut you off and don’t care what you do with the phone.

Use it as you see fit, there’s no malware.

 

[MarkX]

I have returned phones to Amazon without issue in the past and am also from the UK.

Have you a history of returning high value items?

If they deleted your account as you say what do they require ID for?

 

[JPack]

Couple of options.

Start driving. Get a passport. Renounce British citizenship to get a work permit.

If you do a chargeback, you’ll be banned from ever using Amazon again.

 

[macthekatt]

Thanks for the answers!
I had a few returns, but nothing of high value - a nightlight which did not turn on, and an order where I got 1 kg of ground coffee instead of beans.
I have no idea why my account was deleted; I just asked to return the unopened iPhone.
I got an email asking for ID or driver licence etc, 2 days after the account was deleted.
Not sure about renouncing British citizenship yet 😀.... I think I'll just use other sellers for now!

 

[HouseLannister]

So strange. Amazon obviously thinks something shady is going on and just wants to verify ID, but the account deletion makes me think they suspect some more serious fraud. Not sure why. Was the item Shipped and Sold by Amazon or was it a 3rd party storefront on Amazon? Just curious.

Be careful with the chargeback, as the retailer can report the phone serial number as stolen to Apple at that point, right? Not saying they would be that petty, but it is a possibility.