People Are Selling Blacklisted Phones

On Craigslist, you’re bound to find a deal that seems too good to be true. For instance, you might find a new iPhone 15 Pro Max for the price of a regular iPhone 15. 

Unfortunately, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Some people try to sell blacklisted phones on Craigslist.

In case you don’t know, blacklisted phones are a term used for phones that have been blocked because they’ve been reported as lost or stolen. Likewise, a phone can also be blacklisted by a carrier if the owner stops paying for it.

These phones are basically useless, and you won’t be able to make calls, send messages, or use your data plan. If it’s an iPhone, there’s also a very good chance it still has Activation Lock enabled, in which case you won’t even be able to get through the setup process without the original owner’s Apple ID and password.

To avoid buying a blacklisted phone, you’ll need to get the serial number or IMEI number, which you can then run by a carrier before making a purchase. They should be able tell you if the phone is blacklisted or not.

Another good solution is to ask the seller to meet you at a carrier store. That way, you can check with a representative if the phone is blacklisted or not almost immediately.