iPhone 5 purchased off Craigslist and can't activate it...

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Level 1

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iPhone 5 purchased off Craigslist and can't activate it...

I purchase an iPhone 5 off Craigslist. It was sealed in the box. When I got home, I tried activating it but, it says the other persons number and is asking me to confirm the last four of there social security number and billing zip code. This is the 3rd one I've purchased and only one I've had issues with. The others I purchased were from AT&T and Fry's. They didn't have this same set up. Anyone know how to get around this? I spent 2hrs on the phone today with Apple and they never heard of an iPhone asking for this although they had this same issue on the iPhone 4S. I tried contacting the person I purchased it off of with no success of reaching them. Please help if you know how to solve this issue. I also have Apple working on this issue but, they said it could take up to 4 days.

iPhone 5, iOS 6

Posted on Sep 23, 2012 5:08 PM

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Answer 1

mowens81

Level 1

10 points

Sep 23, 2012 7:52 PM in response to jbish123

I don't know, but it sounds to me like you purchased a stolen phone. I'm guessing the number you're seeing is the phone number of the person who legitimately purchased the phone.

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Answer 2

GabeZs

Level 2

226 points

Sep 23, 2012 8:06 PM in response to jbish123

It sounds like you will need to drop into your nearest carrier store, replace the SIM card, and have them help you activate it.

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Answer 3

jbish123 Author

Level 1

0 points

Sep 23, 2012 10:31 PM in response to GabeZs

I tried going to AT&T and they said this is something with Apple. I know the phone isn't stolen. The guy I bought it from has the same number as the number appearing on the activation screen. He said he doesn't feel comfortable supplying me with the last 4 of his social and if I activate the iPhone 5 it will deactivate his own phone and would require him to go to AT&T and buy a new one.

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Answer 4

steve359

Level 6

17,169 points

Sep 23, 2012 10:39 PM in response to jbish123

I do not have an iPhone, but it seems to me the point is to separate this iPhone5 from anyone else's account. This requires activation under a new phone number -- your phone number.

Just saying ...

If the seller cannot live with you activating the phone uner your new number, then perhaps he can live without your $$.

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Answer 5

Sep 23, 2012 11:59 PM in response to jbish123

sim card on the phone is link to the one who ordered

just get a nano sim with your ATT number

and stick in the iphone 5

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Answer 6

jbish123 Author

Level 1

0 points

Sep 24, 2012 12:01 AM in response to crushedcore

That was the first thing I tried. I will try again tomorrow.

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Answer 7

Sep 24, 2012 12:05 AM in response to jbish123

if it still wont activate with your sim card (your own number)

try restoring it on itunes

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Answer 8

mowens81

Level 1

10 points

Sep 24, 2012 12:14 AM in response to jbish123

Something weird is going on here. Why would someone who ordered a phone tied to their account sell it? It either means they are selling an upgrade tied to their account while planning on using the phone they already have for the remainder of their "new" contract, or they plan on ditching the contract and screwing AT&T. Which means they no longer care about their credit. Another possibility is that the contract is not in their name and they just don't care. Meaning the contract is in their parent's name or something of the sort.

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Answer 9

jbish123 Author

Level 1

0 points

Sep 24, 2012 12:16 AM in response to mowens81

So I just tried my personal SIM card instead of the new one I got from AT&T and it worked! No more issues. Just activate a new SIM card in a different phone then put in this phone and it works! Thanks all for the help.

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Answer 10

mowens81

Level 1

10 points

Sep 24, 2012 12:21 AM in response to jbish123

That doesn't solve the actual problem. I can put my sim card in a stolen phone and it will work without any problems. That doesn't mean something shady isn't going on.

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Answer 11

Sep 24, 2012 12:40 AM in response to mowens81

some dont care to have the iphone 5

but if they are eligible for device upgrade they can buy one at subsidized price and sell it for profit

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Answer 12

ja2249

Level 1

0 points

Sep 26, 2012 8:18 PM in response to jbish123

HEY QUICK QUESTION, I AM HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS YOU. SO ALL YOU DID WAS GET A NEW SIM CARD FROM AT&T AND IT WORKED?

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Answer 13

bigm0ney

Level 1

0 points

Oct 3, 2012 7:21 AM in response to jbish123

Can you go over the procedure one more time, i didnt quite understand what you did exactly to solve the issue?

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Answer 14

Oct 3, 2012 7:56 AM in response to jbish123

i have same issue. i also bought the phone on sep 23 and still not able to activate. I tried apple and ATT. i am actually not a ATT costomer. I got the phone unlocked and wanted to use it with T MOBILE. Phone is showing unlocked,but i am not able to go any further than the activation statge. It is asking me again and again zip code and socail s no. can you help me you out, how did you activated it.

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Answer 15

Oct 5, 2012 4:43 PM in response to mkjiphone5

Hey did you get to solve this? I have the exact same issue... I bought the phone, got it unlocked but I can't get past this activation screen. If you did solve this can you please help.

Also for any other memeber with this problem. If I input a social security number and a zipcode which are linked to an existing AT&T account, but not to THIS At&t account for this phone, will it let me activate? Or does it have to be exactly the account that purchased my phone? Thanks!

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