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btrach144

btrach144

macrumors demi-god
Original poster
Aug 28, 2015
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7,553
Indiana
Hi,

I bought an unopened iPhone on Ebay. It's wanting me to activate the phone under the ebay sellers number. I don't have the last four of their social security or billing zip code. I tried restoring the iPhone in iTunes and I also tried putting in my old SIM card but it always wants the seller to input their SS and billing zip code that matches their number.

How can I get around this so that I don't have essentially a brick? Any help is much appreciated!
 
btrach144 said:
Hi,

I bought an unopened iPhone on Ebay. It's wanting me to activate the phone under the ebay sellers number. I don't have the last four of their social security or billing zip code. I tried restoring the iPhone in iTunes and I also tried putting in my old SIM card but it always wants the seller to input their SS and billing zip code that matches their number.

How can I get around this so that I don't have essentially a brick? Any help is much appreciated!
Click to expand...

Sounds like the seller either didn't own the phone or if he did failed remove the activation lock (Find my Phone). If he doesn't know the information, you will not be able to do anything with the phone as it is locked to the previous owner. You said unopened, but if it is locked to an owner that means it was opened at some point. The box could have be resealed in wrap, I've seen that before.

You can check it here: https://www.icloud.com/activationlock/

This is why people have to turn off the find my phone application prior to restoring.
 
@ the seller.......
Skip-Bayless-Looks-at-Camera-Shakes-Head.gif
 
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Just email the eBay for the last four social security and his zip code.

I once sold an unopened att locked iPhone unopened. Buyer got home and called me. I gave him my last four and zip code. Phone activated. (I subscribe to identify protection theft also if u are worried about that stuff).

The seller sim unfortunately will be activated in the iPhone that was sold. So seller will need to go to att store and get new SIM card.
 
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aneftp said:
Just email the eBay for the last four social security and his zip code.

I once sold an unopened att locked iPhone unopened. Buyer got home and called me. I gave him my last four and zip code. Phone activated. (I subscribe to identify protection theft also if u are worried about that stuff).

The seller sim unfortunately will be activated in the iPhone that was sold. So seller will need to go to att store and get new SIM card.
Click to expand...
Yeah sure they'll hand that info over no problem....hell they'll probably throw the guys full social and bank account number too......the brilliance of some people amazes me.
 
What is this about social security numbers and zip code

Some years ago I sold an iPhone 4 still locked to at&t , I did a restore in iTunes and that's it


If find my iPhone is still on it ask you for the Apple ID not the social security code


So nowadays if you buy a Verizon or at&t phone used and not unlocked , you need the sellers last four social ?
 
Che Castro said:
What is this about social security numbers and zip code

Some years ago I sold an iPhone 4 still locked to at&t , I did a restore in iTunes and that's it


If find my iPhone is still on it ask you for the Apple ID not the social security code


So nowadays if you buy a Verizon or at&t phone used and not unlocked , you need the sellers last four social ?
Click to expand...
There are security measures when you buy a subsidized phone.

When I purchased 2 iPhones 6 plus 2014 last year. It asked for account holder last 4 social security number and billing zip code.

It's an honest mistake by the seller. If they don't want to give u that info than just ask for a refund.
 
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The phone was unopened.

Why can you just put in a new sim and move forward ? Or call AT&T and have them clear the phone.

Other than the seller, no one is going to give you details like last 4 of ssn.

If the phone was a subsidized purchase then only the seller can substitute another.
 
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ZipZap said:
The phone was unopened.

Why can you just put in a new sim and move forward ? Or call AT&T and have them clear the phone.

Other than the seller, no one is going to give you details like last 4 of ssn.

If the phone was a subsidized purchase then only the seller can substitute another.
Click to expand...

I am thinking the phone is under AT&T contract and this is what they do to confirm the phone gets in the rightful upgrader's hands. This would also mean if the original purchaser did not pay . . . .:rolleyes:
 
How much did you pay for the phone? Was any of this in the item's description? I'd return it and get your money back. The only personal info you want to be inputting to set up this phone is your own. This is tied to someone else's account, which is probably against eBay's terms of service, and the seller isn't to be trusted.
 
Newtons Apple said:
I am thinking the phone is under AT&T contract and this is what they do to confirm the phone gets in the rightful upgrader's hands. This would also mean if the original purchaser did not pay . . . .:rolleyes:
Click to expand...
You guys are over reacting.

The Op paid for the phone. (Subsidized price) They probably don't know that you have to open the phone and activate it.

Once again. It's a security measure by att. Ask the seller. If seller says no. Return it. Pretty simple and no need to make outrageous claims it's a stolen phone.
 
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Agreed. This is normal when a phone is purchased as an upgrade to a line. It should have been activated and reset before it was sold. If the seller can't solve the problem request a refund.
 
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aneftp said:
You guys are over reacting.

The Op paid for the phone. (Subsidized price) They probably don't know that you have to open the phone and activate it.

Once again. It's a security measure by att. Ask the seller. If seller says no. Return it. Pretty simple and no need to make outrageous claims it's a stolen phone.
Click to expand...

The OP purchased the phone from a seller on eBay.
 
Newtons Apple said:
The OP purchased the phone from a seller on eBay.
Click to expand...
Yes. I made a typo error. That's what I meant to say. The seller either gets phone activated or buyer returns it.

No biggie either way for buyer since they are protected by eBay.
 
Okay, AT&T provided me an activation hotline number that the seller can call. I contacted the seller and they tried the link but it didn't work for them? They said they would contact AT&T in the morning.

The seller sent the iPhone in the original box from Apple that still had their address, which matched the eBay return address. This also aligned with the shipping slip.

If this doesn't get resolved within the next 24 hours then I'm going to panic.

I also spent an hour on the phone with Apple trying to wipe the device etc and nothing worked. AT&T said that the activation is required so that the seller accepts the terms and conditions from when they bought the phone.

If push comes to shove, I'll demand their last 4 of social and billing zip or threaten to file a claim against them on eBay.
 

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You should be fine. As others said, he probably bought a phone on contract and is selling it. I know everyone wants to jump all over eBay, but not everyone is the devil. I am sure you will have your phone working in no time.
 
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btrach144 said:
Okay, AT&T provided me an activation hotline number that the seller can call. I contacted the seller and they tried the link but it didn't work for them? They said they would contact AT&T in the morning.

The seller sent the iPhone in the original box from Apple that still had their address, which matched the eBay return address. This also aligned with the shipping slip.

If this doesn't get resolved within the next 24 hours then I'm going to panic.

I also spent an hour on the phone with Apple trying to wipe the device etc and nothing worked. AT&T said that the activation is required so that the seller accepts the terms and conditions from when they bought the phone.

If push comes to shove, I'll demand their last 4 of social and billing zip or threaten to file a claim against them on eBay.
Click to expand...

U need to ask seller if it was purchase from att or third party (aka Apple.com or other)

If purchased from att direct than the direct link is

https://www.att.com/checkmyorder/activations/activateWireless.rt

It's pretty easy.

If it's purchased from Apple than he will have to give u the last four ssn and zip code.

Reason is if purchase from att dot com directly att already has imei number in its system preconfigured for that phone. Plus the nano sim will become active with his phone number in the new iPhone.
 
btrach144 said:
Okay, AT&T provided me an activation hotline number that the seller can call. I contacted the seller and they tried the link but it didn't work for them? They said they would contact AT&T in the morning.
Click to expand...

I assume tomorrow there's going to be another issue on the seller's end "in the morning", then another on Monday, then another on... You get the idea. Give them this one last chance and if they don't get it sorted out in the morning then you need to understand you've been ripped off and return the phone.

I hope it's resolved for you quickly and you enjoy your new phone!
 
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