eBay

j_finderskeepers_k · ‎09-12-2011

A potential bidder has just emailed me asking for the IMEI number of the phone I have up for auction. Isn't that the number used to unlock it? Are they checking to see if it's stolen? That's just info you don't need unless you win the auction - which of course they'll find out when they get it anyway.

So why would they want it? Any ideas?

timmangini · ‎10-22-2014

A buyer has bought my phone but not paid for it. They appear to have a good buying record on ebay. Am I safe giving them the imei# before they pay? Am I protected if they do not pay and fraudulently use my imei?

rkray · ‎10-23-2014

Swappa staff will delete any photo or listing of the IMEI numbers. They DO NOT want you to post them because of fraud.

See Why should I not share my ESN / IMEI / MEID publicly?

http://swappa.com/faq/sell/share_esn_numbers

pacoinsandmore · ‎10-25-2014

I do not know why there is so much talk about IMEI numbers. I have a live listing on eBay for a a iPhone 5 s and have the IMEI number clearly shown in the picture (the actual phone and box). I have sold many phones before this way and never had any problems with cloning or theft of my information. So many scammers out there, why can't people be honest. I tell you one thing, I would NEVER buy a remanufacted cell phone. They have used and replaced parts of many phones to create one working phone. The refurbs us non branded parts and unskilled workers to instal them. That is what I would be worried about when buying a iPhone/ smart phone.

msteechur · ‎10-25-2014

So glad I read this thread. As my buyer has 0 feedback and I have 0 negative feedback, I simply sent a message stating that I am hesitant to do business with 0 feedback buyers and that since I am a highly rated seller, that should be good enough. If it wasn't, they were welcome to retract their bid.

Honestly, I'd rather go to a site I trust and will get a little less from, for sure, then be out a phone and the $200 the buyer might take back from me.

@skyline2620 wrote:
Great comment, jsrusco. Thank you for your help!!

mikemc1968 · ‎12-01-2014

I really think the buyers themselves are trying to protect THIER investment as well, what if the phone is black listed? Locked? The problem isn't just for the seller, the buyer is handing you over good money for something they're just taking your word for. I've asked sellers for the ESN and IMEI then I see TONS of listings with nothing in regards to those listed. I can't bid or even make an offer if I don't know if the phones stolen or lost or broken. So, it's one persons word against anothers. Okay, fine so you offer hassle free returns, but I'm still footing the dime and maybe your re-stocking fee if somethings not right or as you stated about this phone.

Somewhere on these ebay forums there's probably someone posting to a thread about sellers not posting ESN or IMEI numbers too!

readingnosleep · ‎12-08-2014

It's not the cost of returning the phone that is the problem for buyers, it's the time. I buy your phone, return it, shop again and weeks have gone by while I'm phone less. The IMEI number is also used to verify the phone is not icloud locked.

I can't hold it in my hand and try it out pre-purchase and the seller expects me to buy without checking to see if it's stolen, is icloud locked and without knowing if it will work with my provider, too?

Give me a break!

I will not buy any phone without the IMEI number. It's such a hassle getting the number from sellers that I now skip the ads that don't list it.

francophones · ‎12-18-2014

Guys I'm a new seller and I'm starting to get messages asking the same. Now that I've come upon this forum I now understand I am putting myself at risk by giving away the IMEI and putting my buyers at risk if I display it. Still, I wish to address those who are concerned, especially since I'm a seller with no feedback.

For those who want an IMEI would a proof video be good? I would have a video with my user name on it showing the phone going back and forth between carrier, would help you guys?
Also would it be a bad idea to publicly state on my listing I will not provide IMEI but a video? Or would that turn people off?

lavendergert · ‎12-18-2014

I don't think there's anything wrong in mentioning that you will not give the IMEI number out. It might spread the word to others that it is a dangerous thing to do.
I Just have to say as well that I can't believe eBay lets people list items that they are stating are blocked as stolen. Really?! Nice forum for criminals to sell their goods.
Protect yourself as others are going to do the same for themselves.

modernoutlook · ‎12-21-2014

A buyer is asking for the ESN of a phone I am selling. He just paid. I declined kindly. I will ship the phone. I told them to take a look at my feedback. Can they clone it when it arrives and then try and return the phone saying the IME/ESN was bad? how can i avoid this? should i take a picture or record video of it actually working or a representative aproving it able to activate?

dvaut · ‎12-22-2014

just a thought about IMEI numbers. I'm looking for a sprint IMEI number for sale for a galaxy s4. why would i be doing that? because i got a new s4 from my son but it's verizon and I'm sprint.

So here’s the way the different companies customize their phones. Verizon, sprint, AT&T and the others get a whole bunch of cell phones from Samsung. They are all the same by model and use the same hardware. Each company runs these phones through a customizing process that puts certain apps and features and startup screens on the phones. The most important part of the customization is the serial number which identifies the phone to that particular carrier. The serial numbers, or IMEI, MEID or DSN is special by phone model by company. I notice that they are different lengths depending in the model as well.

I think it is certainly possible to adapt a Version phone to the Sprint network or AT&T because all you need is a good DSN by model for that carrier. Federal law prohibits the “fraudulent” modification of DSNs so all you have to do is find somebody who owns a totally broken phone that matches your model and has a clear DSN. You can then buy the rights to that DSN and then flash it into your phone and you have not broken any laws. I have a few valid DSN for my sprint galaxy s2 but I won't let these out because i like the s2 especially the modified one.

praguy · ‎04-02-2015

Reading through many of these posts, all I can do is shake my head. This whole thing is ripe for fraud and scams, particularly on people who dont know the ins and outs of cell phone ID and security. I don't understand why they produce phones whose serial number, IMEI, or whatever can be electronically altered!!

jofirneno2012 · ‎04-04-2015

On the opposite side of the coin, a seller has not provided me with a Samsung Galaxy S2 IMEI/ESN to check if the number was "blacklisted" either by unpaid bill or stolen, as is the case with many these days. I have no idea how to even clone a IMEI, I just wanted to protect myself. Sorry but no all of us who ask a seller for an IMEI to check on Swappa or CheckESNFree are out to scam you from your numbers. It's lose - lose on both ends, sadly. I am now going up to Target to purchase my phone where I know it's not stolen.

splifferson9 · ‎04-10-2015

Have you ever heard of periods(.) ?

@telenalb13 wrote:
I have ben trying to find out this information as well I have a verizon phone and account want to upgrade my phone and can't with verizon they tell me if I can't get the IMEI number or MEID number from a seller then the seller must have stolen it or something is wrong with the phone and it will not work if you are not willing to give this inforation anymoer your not gonna have buyers if all cell phone companies are telling them that it means it's a bad phone if they don't want to share I understand people screw things up for everyone but if I am buying a cell phone and my contract can't use it then it's useless and what was the point in me buying it in the first place? I asked several sellers for information and got nothing it would have been nice to at least get a response like I am uncomfortable giving this information and discuss why I was even asking for it I 'm sure if the seller is meaning no harm and the buyer is meaning no harm then an agreement could be made like buy it then give them the info before sending it and refunding if they can't use it before mailing it to them to help cut costs.

jxt181 · ‎04-11-2015

When using Paypal, your purchase is guaranteed. If the phone is stolen PayPal will refund you 100 percent of your purchase price.

imeidata · ‎05-01-2015

If customer ask for IMEI number, you can check IMEI and give phone information, but give him IMEI is ok.

You can do Check and Analytics IMEI number to get model, manufacturer, band at: https://imeidata.net
It’s simple just enter your IMEI and submit.
And before buy, don’t forget check IMEI blacklist:
https://imeidata.net/blacklist/check