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How to know if a Macbook is stolen

Hi Guys,


So I am going to be looking at a MacBook Pro 2016 tomorrow and would like to ask if there is a way for me to find out if it is stolen?

The guy is running windows 10 on it, which made me think is there a reason besides having needed it for a specific program.

How would i know he has not just swapped out the hard drive to bypass the passwords or I-Cloud?

I don't want to purchase it and then next thing get tracked and told i bought stolen property.


Thanks in advance

Cliff




Posted on Apr 6, 2021 3:17 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Apr 6, 2021 7:29 AM

What difference does it make that Windows is installed on it? If you do decide to buy from a "guy" make sure he has completed this:

What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your Mac - Apple Support

Buy from a reputable dealer instead.

4 replies

Apr 6, 2021 7:46 AM in response to CliffAsp

CliffAsp wrote:

Hi Guys,

So I am going to be looking at a MacBook Pro 2016 tomorrow and would like to ask if there is a way for me to find out if it is stolen?
The guy is running windows 10 on it, which made me think is there a reason besides having needed it for a specific program.
How would i know he has not just swapped out the hard drive to bypass the passwords or I-Cloud?
I don't want to purchase it and then next thing get tracked and told i bought stolen property.


If it is to good to be true— that should be your first clue.


If you ask " the guy" to see his ID and he shows you his Department of Corrections (DOC) ID card , that is another clue.



There are many places to buy used, for a savings, and that come with a 1-yr warranty, even the option to buy an extended warranty....


New:

https://www.apple.com/mac/


Apple refurb/clearance:

https://www.apple.com/us/shop/goto/special_deals


alternative refurb/clearance options:

https://www.refurb.me/en-us

https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/Apple_Systems/Used/Macs_and_Tablets

https://www.macprices.net


https://www.decluttr.com/us/store/category/computers-and-accessories

Apr 6, 2021 8:12 AM in response to CliffAsp

I am from South Africa and the 2nd hand market is huge here. So we will buy from ‘a guy’ off gumtree etc.

I know iPhone very well and would spot a problem quickly, I am starting to get into the MacBook market now and was just curious as to why one would worry to buy a Mac to only run windows on(I know people could genuinely need windows for some programs and could prefer it). I just thought that he possibly used this as a way around an I Cloud block and if I were to re install the Mac OS that I’d be sitting with an issue.

But I will go through the steps with him in the link provided by BobTheFisherman. If it was firmware locked, he wouldn’t be able to have installed windows onto the drive? Am I correct in thinking that?


thanks for the feedback.

How to know if a Macbook is stolen

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