how to check if my iphone from ebay is stolen

Completely irrelevant question.

To the OP: Buy from a verified source or from a friend/familymember who does not do stupid things with their iPhone. If you cannot afford a new verifiable iPhone 5 under "new contract" terms ($199 or $299), you need to start smaller with an Android or non-smart phone until you can save up the money.

I just bought a new phone to replace the one stolen last week. I went to the Apple store. since I was not eljible for an upgrade, my next best option was to add a line, then I had to go to the AT&T store, get them to change the sim card, and remove the data plan that the Apple store had to put on it.

Then I password protected it, and plan to carry it in my shirt pocket when I'm not at home.
I was even wary of buying from the AT&T store, perhaps I thought I'd get better help setting it up from Cloud, better technical help from the Apple store.

I had an old Iphone 3gs that I gave away to someone, but he decided not to use it, so I might sell it on ebay. But I can show the orignal receipt where I got it.

It makes me angry the crooks seem to be able to get away with this kind of stuff

Irrelevant to the OP.

iPhones are alays targets of theft. You are responsible to manage that risk. I will not go into pages-long iscussions on that subject.

But the OP needs the best advice on how to avoid a myriad of issues than comes with buying unverified products.

Be happy in your life, but I will not respond to you anymore in this thread.

>Be happy in your life, but I will not respond to you anymore in this thread.

I personally would be happy if that was the case