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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

35 replies

Dec 4, 2012 7:50 AM in response to pliundemix

Any Body Tell me Zip Code & Social Security Code?

izeta

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Dec 13, 2012 11:39 PM in response to Flux45

I've used that process for used iPhones but never for new iPhones. And I also have heard that this SSN requirement is harder to bypass in this new iPhone 5 which I can't confirm yet. So does your method work for this new iPhone 5? Another thing to take into account is that this is not just the regular activation screen that you can put any AT&T SIM card in it, it's the one that shows up when you first buy the phone.

But besides that, worse case scenario one can buy the activation from eBay. I found a listing:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ACTIVATION-Service-SSN-Zip-Code-for-AT-T-USA-Apple-iPhon e-3GS-4G-4S-5-/370696370127?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item564f39b7cf

Flux45

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Dec 13, 2012 11:55 PM in response to izeta

I honestly can't say for 100% certainty that that method works on the iPhone 5, but for someone sitting there with a brick, it is certainly worth a shot.

All of this really is a moot point now, since Apple is selling unlocked iPhone 5's on their website in the US now. I purchased an AT&T phone off-contract from the Apple store about a month or so ago, and was instantly greeted with the "congradulations, you iPhone has been unlocked" message.

ntbshs

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Dec 20, 2012 10:15 PM in response to Flux45

Are you sure it's unlocked? I have one unlocked iphone 5 and sent it out to southeast asia. My cousin tried everything and it didn't work. Everytime they tried to connect to the itune, only the same problem appears on the screen... enter social security number....

So that was a month ago before the release the unlocked iphone 5.

Any tips/advices would greatly appreciated. 🙂

ntbshs

Level 1

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Dec 20, 2012 10:24 PM in response to mkjiphone5

I have the same problem. Did any of you get it to work yet? please help!

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