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How can i find if a macbook pro is stolen or not
- Thread starter Serban
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I suppose one way would be to write up the serial number and go ask the local police, but most people don't have the serial numbers of their machines written up or the sense to log onto Apple's support to check it up so they don't have anything except a description to give to the police.
There are sites like this, but I don't think that many people use them.
So if we're talking about a bad thief who doesn't know how to reset the device one trick would be to tell the person in question to log into a password protected account. If the person doesn't know the password, then the machine is fairly obviously stolen, however this is not anywhere near 100% as the theif could have reset the machine or it might not have had a password protected account to begin with.
There are sites like this, but I don't think that many people use them.
So if we're talking about a bad thief who doesn't know how to reset the device one trick would be to tell the person in question to log into a password protected account. If the person doesn't know the password, then the machine is fairly obviously stolen, however this is not anywhere near 100% as the theif could have reset the machine or it might not have had a password protected account to begin with.
Well then it's obviously stolen as theives always make up crappy excuses like that. In one case that I've heard of (which basically turned into an internet forum sting operation) the theif made the excuse that it belonged to his dead brother.
So you want to risk getting charged with receiving stolen goods or whatever local version you have of that, then back off and maybe even go to the police.
So you want to risk getting charged with receiving stolen goods or whatever local version you have of that, then back off and maybe even go to the police.
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That sounds fishy and raises a red flag that it is stolen. You can maybe call apple with the serial to see if it was reported stolen, but to be honest, I don't think apple tracks those things (I could be wrong though)
At least according to this they don't list or track stolen devices. They instead let you check up the serial number so you can then go to the police with it.
I wouldn't touch it after a line like that. At that point I would just discontinue communication with the seller.
I'd say a definite way to finally confirm that the machine is actually stolen is by asking him for a receipt with the machine's serial number on it.
Sounds like the OP already bought it. So, since there is no sure way to find out if it is stolen, OP is in the clear in regards to knowingly possessing stolen property (even though anyone with half a brain wouldn't believe that seller's story in the first place, but whatever). The only way OP gets screwed is if someone finds the laptop through some means and the police track it to OP's location and confiscate it. I for one would pull the hard drive, bash it with a hammer, and put a new one in.
Contact your local police department and ask if the serial number has been reported stolen. If not, you're in good shape. If it has been, turn it in.
If you turn it in, you may be able to receive money from your local victim compensation fund.
Just because the serial number is not entered as stolen does not mean it is not stolen. Many people report things stolen and they do not have the serial number to provide to police. If the circumstances of the purchase are suspicious like we have here, it is best to pass on the purchase.
Similar situation as the OP but another question........Will Apple service this unit under the original warranty?
Find out if the password-protected log-in name corresponds with the seller's name. There should also be a place on OS X where the owner's information might be. If it automatically logs in to the desktop, search the laptop for any info.
This unit seems to have been wiped already. I keep reading that Apple doesn't care and will do nothing but what if I take it in for service (dead pixels)?
If it is stolen, I feel bad for that person but not enough to be out of my own money that I just paid.
If it is stolen, I feel bad for that person but not enough to be out of my own money that I just paid.
ask the seller if you can see the purchase receipt or if he still has the original box.
As a seller, there are a bunch of red flags too..
One time I was trying to sell my MBP on craigslist. Had a guy call, he came over to my apartment complex and wanted to take my laptop real quick to "show his gf the laptop" to see if she liked it. Obviously I said no, she can come here and look at it.
Then he for some reason agreed to the deal and needed to get money. So I told him lets meet at starbucks around 7. He wouldn't come inside, wanted to stay in the parking lot in his car. SO I asked him to show me the money first, and had a friend of mine hold on to my laptop the entire time.
the buyer said "the envelope is sealed, it just came straight from the bank"
RED FLAG. No banks are open after 5-6pm...and chances are was that envelope was full of $1 bills. Called him out on his lie, and told him to GTFO before I report him to the police.
As a seller, there are a bunch of red flags too..
One time I was trying to sell my MBP on craigslist. Had a guy call, he came over to my apartment complex and wanted to take my laptop real quick to "show his gf the laptop" to see if she liked it. Obviously I said no, she can come here and look at it.
Then he for some reason agreed to the deal and needed to get money. So I told him lets meet at starbucks around 7. He wouldn't come inside, wanted to stay in the parking lot in his car. SO I asked him to show me the money first, and had a friend of mine hold on to my laptop the entire time.
the buyer said "the envelope is sealed, it just came straight from the bank"
RED FLAG. No banks are open after 5-6pm...and chances are was that envelope was full of $1 bills. Called him out on his lie, and told him to GTFO before I report him to the police.
Almost like every other case, I cannot seem to get ahold of the seller anymore.
But again, I've read that if I take it in for service that Apple will repair it and doesn't legally get involved.
I guess I'll call the store tonight and inquire about it. If not, then I'll just live w/ not having a warranty and dead pixels.
But again, I've read that if I take it in for service that Apple will repair it and doesn't legally get involved.
I guess I'll call the store tonight and inquire about it. If not, then I'll just live w/ not having a warranty and dead pixels.
It's more important that the laptop doesn't have an efi password. Then it's still usable. If something is fishy with the deal by all means don't push through with it. As always ties better to buy in person by meeting up and testing the laptop for yourself before buying it .
Buying a used computer from an individual is risky in most cases. Especially if one doesn't do some research in advance like finding the answers to the questions asked in this thread BEFORE making a purchase.
There are quite a number of variables. Addressing as many as possible in advance is ones best approach.
There are quite a number of variables. Addressing as many as possible in advance is ones best approach.
can you do a factory reset to a mac if you forget your admin password? i have never ended to that situation with osx, but with win yes 
at the moment i have my old win laptop under the bed, and i have no idea what is the password. Last time i used it it was three years ago...
somehow i understand "the receipt thing" but original boxes!? why an earth would i store the empty boxes in my apparment after i have seen that the thing is working right? ehm... no way, i would live among boxes :/ i do tend to save receipts but... would i find it when i need it? ehm... sure, on someday...
at the moment i have my old win laptop under the bed, and i have no idea what is the password. Last time i used it it was three years ago... somehow i understand "the receipt thing" but original boxes!? why an earth would i store the empty boxes in my apparment after i have seen that the thing is working right? ehm... no way, i would live among boxes :/ i do tend to save receipts but... would i find it when i need it? ehm... sure, on someday...
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People often keep their boxes for when they resell a product, especially Apple. It's not out of the ordinary..