A stolen smartphone for Christmas?

If that iPhone on Trade Me is selling for a too-good-to-be-true price, it could be stolen.

The NZ Telecommunications Forum (TCF) and NZ Police are warning consumers about the dangers of buying second-hand phones online this summer.

“Every year, around Christmas time, we see a lot of second-hand mobile phones flood onto the market, as people get given new devices for Christmas,” TCF chief executive Geoff Thorn says.

“The majority of these devices are from genuine sellers but it’s also the time of year our members see an increase in the number of fraudulent devices coming on to the market.”

For the past couple of years, a register has been maintained of stolen phones, with Spark, Vodafone and 2degrees co-operating to block them from operating on any network in New Zealand.

The register is based on the fact each smartphone has a unique IMEI (international mobile equipment identity) number.

To find a phone's IMEI, type *#06# into its keypad.

A number will appear onscreen.

Type that number into the TCF's phone checker here.

However, Mr Thorn warns, "While over 90% of lost or stolen phones are blacklisted almost immediately and listed as such on the lookup service, phones obtained and sold through fraudulent activities can be blacklisted at a later date, so the service is not foolproof."

Ram raid unsolved
Despite active efforts to block stolen phones from networks, even old-fashioned thieves are not deterred. Earlier this year, a Spark store in Ponsonby was hit by a ram raid, with the offenders perhaps looking for quick turnaround sales or to ship the phones offshore.

It was the second time that store had been targetted.

This morning, a rep for Spark updates, "Unfortunately, the police were unable to identify the people involved in this particular crime." (UPDATE: Police say althought the perpertrators were never found, two people were charged with receiving stolen goods in relation to the offence.)

Buying from strangers
“Purchasing second-hand goods online always comes with an element of risk,” Detective Senior Sergeant Bridget Doell from Auckland City Police says.

“We know that it’s common for criminals to sell items – stolen through thefts and burglaries – online through community pages on websites such as Facebook. If someone is selling a new iPhone for a significantly cheaper price online, then clearly that is going to look suspicious. Remember the old adage, if it’s too good to be true, then it probably is.”

“Police would also like to remind the community that it is an offence to knowingly receive stolen goods and we encourage anyone who suspects that items listed for sale may be stolen goods,  to report the matter to Police by contacting your nearest police station."

Mr Thorn says he's concerned a survey run by his organisation found 35% of respondents were willing to buy a second-hand phone from a stranger via the likes of Facebook (NBR would add that community ratings on sites like Trade Me add an element of security).