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Got my unlocked, unactivated iPhone stolen..

joeblow7777 said:
You absolutely did the right thing, but if it had been me, I still would have chased him.

It's just the principle of it. I can't stand that people think that they can just take what they want from people who worked hard to earn it. My mother recently had her purse stolen from her. She was so upset... I wish I had been there to chase down the guy who did it, although I'm probably the one who would have ended up behind bars for what I would have done if I got my hands on him. :mad:
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Behind bars or six feet under, depending on the guy you're chasing and what he's carrying. Neither outcome seems worth an $800-1000 phone to me.
 
This is why one should have a concealed carry license, especially doing craigslist deals. Theft is a good enough reason to use your firearm in most states. A 9mm shell in his leg would ensure that he isn't going anywhere with my phone.

Now that that's said, people should really not wipe the phone until AFTER they have the cash in their hand (in a public place). That way it's still tied to your AppleID and you have the ability to lock it down if they run with it. They aren't getting a dime out of it that way, and probably won't even show up if you inform them that you'll be doing this. If they still try something, well... see the above paragraph.
 
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ihav0frnds said:
i got a replacement iphone from apple, and i had it unlocked but never activated. i was trying to sell it on craigslist. because i am way too trusting and believing in the goodness of people, i tried to meet up with a person to sell it. he said he wanted to take a look at the screen to see if it was new and just grabbed it from my hand and ran off. i felt like an idiot, but now i was wondering if there's anythign i can do to get the phone blocked. i called att, and they said they can't block it because it was never activated on the network. they then transferred me to apple, who said they couldn't do much either. am i SOL in getting it blocked?

feel real dumb, though financially it might work out better since i have insurance and will get a check cut out to me for the full $700 then i guess.
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Always meet someone where there's a surveillance camera, Starbucks, Bank, in closed proximity, that way you can notify the police and have footage of the incident.
 
c0LdFire said:
This is why one should have a concealed carry license, especially doing craigslist deals. Theft is a good enough reason to use your firearm in most states. A 9mm shell in his leg would ensure that he isn't going anywhere with my phone.

Now that that's said, people should really not wipe the phone until AFTER they have the cash in their hand (in a public place). That way it's still tied to your AppleID and you have the ability to lock it down if they run with it. They aren't getting a dime out of it that way, and probably won't even show up if you inform them that you'll be doing this. If they still try something, well... see the above paragraph.
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You must be an excellent shot to put a bullet in the leg of a guy that's running away from you, never mind the risk to public safety from a stray bullet. That said I do carry a gun in the glove compartment, not because of CL but because I like to. If I was robbed in this way I would not use it as my life was not in danger, plus I could be posing a danger to others. I guess maybe because I've been on deployments I think like that.
 
c0LdFire said:
This is why one should have a concealed carry license, especially doing craigslist deals. Theft is a good enough reason to use your firearm in most states. A 9mm shell in his leg would ensure that he isn't going anywhere with my phone.

Now that that's said, people should really not wipe the phone until AFTER they have the cash in their hand (in a public place). That way it's still tied to your AppleID and you have the ability to lock it down if they run with it. They aren't getting a dime out of it that way, and probably won't even show up if you inform them that you'll be doing this. If they still try something, well... see the above paragraph.
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Can you name the state where theft alone justifies the use of deadly force? Someone snatches a phone from your hand and turns to run and you shoot him, you'll be going to jail. If your post wasn't hyperbole then you don't have the judgement to carry a firearm.
 
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This is why I NEVER meet with anyone other than inside a bank lobby with personnel and security cameras galore inside. I let the person I am dealing with know that this is for both their and my safety and security. If they refuse...then NO DEAL!
 
ihav0frnds said:
looking over my property policy, it looks like i should be covered. it said it would only not cover theft if it were an unlocked car.
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But you being outside selling it to someone is worse than being inside an unlocked car. As a licensed insurance professional I have to tell you that your policy is not going to cover you "if you tell them the truth", and as a licensed insurance professional I don't recommend committing fraud. Home owners or car insurance usually covers when theft is inside the home or if the car is secured.
You being out in the public selling your phone and someone just grabs it is generally not covered unless you get a police report and it was verified by the police that you were robbed. Good luck with that.

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Carlanga said:
I can see an early death for you if you keep wanting to chasing criminals.

I think people that say this have never been a victim of robbery.
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THIS! 100% agreed. Don't chase after the criminal. Why find out later if he/she was or was not carrying a weapon?
 
I always meet in a public place and with someone else. Usually the food court of a mall. Last year I was working the door at a night club in an awful part of town and had the craigslist buyer meet me there. I'm surprised he agreed to. I never would have. But he was afraid to come in to the club me and the other bouncer went out and met him.
 
HenryDJP said:
But you being outside selling it to someone is worse than being inside an unlocked car. As a licensed insurance professional I have to tell you that your policy is not going to cover you "if you tell them the truth", and as a licensed insurance professional I don't recommend committing fraud. Home owners or car insurance usually covers when theft is inside the home or if the car is secured.
You being out in the public selling your phone and someone just grabs it is generally not covered unless you get a police report and it was verified by the police that you were robbed. Good luck with that.
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Just for the sake of knowing, what if this had occurred on ones doorstep? Would home insurance cover the theft?
 
ihav0frnds said:
i got a replacement iphone from apple, and i had it unlocked but never activated. i was trying to sell it on craigslist. because i am way too trusting and believing in the goodness of people, i tried to meet up with a person to sell it. he said he wanted to take a look at the screen to see if it was new and just grabbed it from my hand and ran off. i felt like an idiot, but now i was wondering if there's anythign i can do to get the phone blocked. i called att, and they said they can't block it because it was never activated on the network. they then transferred me to apple, who said they couldn't do much either. am i SOL in getting it blocked?

feel real dumb, though financially it might work out better since i have insurance and will get a check cut out to me for the full $700 then i guess.
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I hate to say this but sometimes guns are good for situations like these! Not saying you should have shot him but just to let him no you meant business. I ALWAYS tell people I will be carrying even if I'm not but I also meet in public places so this kind of stuff doesn't happen. And I do have a my permit to carry my weapon so I have every right to have it with me and use it if needed. Don't know that I would have used it but I wouldn't have been in that position to begin with! Sorry about your phone though! Tough luck!
 
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HenryDJP said:
Yes it would , you're still on the property.
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Good to know. I typically sell my wares right out of my home, something I likely will change for big ticket items, especially if I move to the States as it's looking like I will be in the near future.
 
I don't sell my phones, but if I did, I would always want to meet at the wireless carrier's store at a busy mall.

I don't think most of the "snatch 'n run" type of phone thieves would try to pull off a robbery in a crowded public place with plenty of security cameras and store employees.
 
gentlefury said:
Why do people use craigslist. If you want to sell something, use eBay and mail it!
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Well sometimes craigslist is just a better deal. Sure it's risky compared to eBay but being able to get full amount for your item without having to give a certain amount of what you make to someone else is a big plus. The key is just being smart and alert when using it.
 
I had my iPhone 5 stolen earlier this month during a Craigslist transaction. I met up with the person early afternoon at a store with cameras and plenty of people around and even brought a friend. The jerk snatched the phone and ran, called the cops made a police report and now I'm waiting to hear back about my insurance claim through my credit card. Never heard anything back from the police department, not that I was really expecting to.

I've done multiple Craigslist transactions throughout the years in the same situation, well populated place, cameras and brought someone with me. It takes one bad apple to ruin it. I'll never use Craigslist again and will just stick to Gazelle, not worth the risk of your life and the hassle of trying to recoup your losses.

Totally get what your going through OP. :(
 
g33kologist said:
I had my iPhone 5 stolen earlier this month during a Craigslist transaction. I met up with the person early afternoon at a store with cameras and plenty of people around and even brought a friend. The jerk snatched the phone and ran, called the cops made a police report and now I'm waiting to hear back about my insurance claim through my credit card. Never heard anything back from the police department, not that I was really expecting to.

I've done multiple Craigslist transactions throughout the years in the same situation, well populated place, cameras and brought someone with me. It takes one bad apple to ruin it. I'll never use Craigslist again and will just stick to Gazelle, not worth the risk of your life and the hassle of trying to recoup your losses.

Totally get what your going through OP. :(
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You didn't run after him?

Good thing I run track.
 
This happened to me too in Houston,TX. Except I ran after him, he threatened to shoot me, I threatened to kill him. Almost caught him but he jumped into a waiting truck. I chased him through traffic and lost him.
 
gentlefury said:
Why do people use craigslist. If you want to sell something, use eBay and mail it!
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Nothing wrong with Craigslist. Some people just don't have common sense. I've sold dozens of electronics over $100+ without any issues; always met the buyer inside Starbucks, bank, or police station. Don't know why people choose to sell at some corner or at their home. :confused:
 
I've sold more things than I can remember on craigslist.
For the most part I usually try to meet in a public place but there have been times when I've met people at their place and even times when I've had them at my place.
I try to pay attention to things around me. As far as I'm concerned meeting someone from craigslist (the internet) is no different than meeting someone anywhere else. A bar, a store, a party, through a friend.
There's weirdos everywhere. Nothing you can do to change that.
Just try to be aware of what's going on around you. If something feels odd, get away.
 
So sorry to hear that man. At least you are okay.

I have sold an iphone 5 on craigslist once. Made a great deal, and no eBay or PayPal charges. That being said...I meet the person in a meijer with a buddy of mine. Can't be too safe.

Sorry again bud,

Blue
 
ihav0frnds said:
no i'm not going to chase him. maybe he has a knife or gun. not worth it since i have insurance.
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Unless you are the frickin 2nd coming of Bruce Lee it isn't a good idea to tussle with muggers.
two things,
anyone who will do a B&E, or simple snatch and run in order to steal stuff is kind of depserate. Do you think they are trying to pay off their student loan? Or maybe they steal from people on CL to feed an orphange?
No, they are druggies or gang bangers.
So they likely have some ghetto knife or saturday night special.
2nd, quite a lot of druggies and thugs have messed up blood diseases. Hep, HIV etc. You simply do not want to get in a fistfight with anyone with HIV or Hep!
That is why concert security in a lot of venues wears latex/nitrile gloves these days. (also why I got out of security!)
Even if you could catch up to the guy, and even if he didn't have a knife, gun or diseases. Often these thugs work in pairs or groups.
Usually the story goes that when the guy snatches and grabs, another guy blocks the victim or punches them while the thief gets away.
Almost happened to me once, but the guy grabbed my groceries instead of the item I was selling. Hope you liked the dry beans and rice! :D
 
ihav0frnds said:
i got a replacement iphone from apple, and i had it unlocked but never activated. i was trying to sell it on craigslist. because i am way too trusting and believing in the goodness of people, i tried to meet up with a person to sell it. he said he wanted to take a look at the screen to see if it was new and just grabbed it from my hand and ran off. i felt like an idiot, but now i was wondering if there's anythign i can do to get the phone blocked. i called att, and they said they can't block it because it was never activated on the network. they then transferred me to apple, who said they couldn't do much either. am i SOL in getting it blocked?

feel real dumb, though financially it might work out better since i have insurance and will get a check cut out to me for the full $700 then i guess.
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if you have the box try and give them the imei or serial number to the police station so it can be listed as stolen. that might prevent it from being activated
 
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