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Stolen Mac. I have my MAC address...

MrCheeto

MrCheeto

Suspended
Original poster
Nov 2, 2008
3,531
353
Left my Mac somewhere. Somebody took it and whiped my info, so iCloud is not an option.

I have my MAC address. How can I use this to locate it?

I know who has it, so if I locate it I should be able to have the police cross-check and recover it, right?
 
Do you still have your receipt with the serial number?
I don't know about the validity of the MAC address pertaining stolen computers, but as it is listed on the outside of the box and you have proof, that you purchased that Mac, the police should be helpful, especially if you know, who stole it.
 
No, I bought it second-hand. I have no record of the serial. I did register it via iCloud, would there be any record on Apple's side?

I'm mostly wanting to track it down somehow online so I can know exactly where it is.
 
I know now who took it, but I need to find the quickest way to make a move and prove definitively that it's mine. He's a Mac guy, so he knew how to format and reinstall, which eliminates any iCloud settings.

Would Apple have any record of WHICH Mac I registered with iCloud?
 
MrCheeto said:
Would Apple have any record of WHICH Mac I registered with iCloud?
Click to expand...
Very probably, but you have to contact them to find out and have luck, that Apple will actually help, as they have a history (I only read about it, no first hand experience) of not helping with stolen merchandise, even if you reported it to them via serial number and the stolen Mac would go in for repair, it would not get reported by Apple.

But then again, just try it.

And if you know, who stole it and you can't get it back officially, could you get it back "otherwise"?
 
It wouldn't be the first time I've stolen my belongings back, but I'm mostly worried that he will sell it off very very quickly.
 
MrCheeto said:
It wouldn't be the first time I've stolen my belongings back, but I'm mostly worried that he will sell it off very very quickly.
Click to expand...

Then do so, maybe take a friend or two with you, you can count on. The official way may be too long. Have you contacted the police yet and asked for their help and seen, what kind of information they need from you in order to help you swiftly?
 
I'm on it now. I have some pro bono attorneys I've known and I'm asking them what the quickest most sure way to proceed is. They're Occupy attorneys, they're not afraid to tell me to just TAKE it. Hah.
 
Apple says there is NO information that determines which machine I had, even with iCloud data.

However, I authorized that Mac to use my iTunes account. How does Apple track authorized machines? My iPhone was sync'd to that Mac. Would my iPhone have any unique identifiers stored as well??

There must be SOMETHING that is unique to that computer that is stored somewhere. Time Machine Backups, iCloud, iTunes, my iPhone, downloaded apps, Lion...
 
MrCheeto said:
Apple says there is NO information that determines which machine I had, even with iCloud data.

However, I authorized that Mac to use my iTunes account. How does Apple track authorized machines? My iPhone was sync'd to that Mac. Would my iPhone have any unique identifiers stored as well??

There must be SOMETHING that is unique to that computer that is stored somewhere. Time Machine Backups, iCloud, iTunes, my iPhone, downloaded apps, Lion...
Click to expand...

You stated you had the mac address, that shouldnt change.
 
Sorry, I wish I was that clever.

Somebody admitted to me that they witnessed somebody sell my laptop. They have some access to his phone, and I would assume that he would have communicated via email or text on said phone and even may be already logged into craigslist, where he sold my laptop.

And now...we play my favorite game }8)
 
One illegal act doesn't warrant another but to each their own. File a homeowner's claim and buy another, hopefully.
 
Oh lawd, my ability to lie, act, and disguise my voice. This adventure could be likened to an episode of Columbo.

Confidence and determination, high. Restraint, depleting ><
 
I'm curious on the actual story. Who stole it (friend/colleague?) and how did he steal it?
 
They probably stole it because you had a depressingly done in 30 min motorcycle patch on it. In that case you deserved it
 
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