I was at the mall 2 days ago and I was buying new shoes. I had no pockets on and I was changing shoes so I put my iphone 3g right next to me on the bench. I went to the mirror to check out the shoes, came back and my phone was gone. I called the phone and on the 10th time i called it the scumbag answered. He said he was on a bus and wouldn't give it back even for a reward. I even got a police report. I cant afford paying 400$ for the phone, again after paying 200$. I tried calling AT&T and asked if the phone had been activated again and they said no. If it does get activated then would they be able to track who activates it or would apple be able to? All other phones are **** for AT&T and im stuck in a 2 year contract. AT&T said they couldnt blacklist the IMEI ( i know they can people have done it). Im sure they could track it seeing that it gets activated again with the same serial number but would AT&T really help me out with that?
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Iphone was stolen
- Thread starter xzmk07
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
that sucks, no offense but its your own fault. You should never EVER leave anything like that unattended for even a second. It only takes a second for soeone to snatch it and take it off the bench. Did you see if the store had cameras? might help in the search for the guy but i doubt you will get your phone back.
AT&T will not track it. They may (and I emphasize may as reports vary) lock the IMEI if you get a police report. Otherwise, all they will do is block the SIM so it can't be used.
Sorry to hear about the theft. Don't be surprised if you get flamed by people saying it is your fault as you left it on a bench in a store (even if for just a moment).
As for your options:
1. Get a replacement iPhone for $399.99
2. Get another phone with AT&T (but it is still gonna cost you)
3. Cancel your service for $175 ETF and change carriers.
ETA: I should have said that I would be in agreement with those that say you are at fault (at least in part). But I don't think you need to be beaten up on yet as you haven't yet tried to blame anyone other than the thief.
Sorry to hear about the theft. Don't be surprised if you get flamed by people saying it is your fault as you left it on a bench in a store (even if for just a moment).
As for your options:
1. Get a replacement iPhone for $399.99
2. Get another phone with AT&T (but it is still gonna cost you)
3. Cancel your service for $175 ETF and change carriers.
ETA: I should have said that I would be in agreement with those that say you are at fault (at least in part). But I don't think you need to be beaten up on yet as you haven't yet tried to blame anyone other than the thief.
I know i probably will get flamed and I blame myself but my brother and mom were also in the store not even 5 feet away from the bench and they didnt see it get stolen either so he must have been really sneaky. The thief was a smart @ss to on the phone which made me even more mad after offering a reward for returning it
i appologize for "flaming you" but take this as a lesson, you will only learn from this experience!
i had my iPod nano stolen two years ago and i am still bitter about it. I couldn't imagine getting the iPhone stolen.
Get an insurance next time. Like farm bureau, which I have and it's cheap. That really sucks man. Really.
ouch.. i feel sorry for you you keep calling them to check if it's been reactivated or...so.. dont forget the insurance next time.
I know that it was completely your fault, but you know that too, so I won't flame you for that. There is not a whole lot that you can do, your best bet would be to plead your case to a manager at an AT&T store, rather than talking to somebody on the phone about it. At the very least, they might let you get a new one for the subsidized price instead.
But it is cases like this where I wish that Apple (and AT&T) would give their users the ability to wipe their phone, like how it was featured for the enterprise clients at the SDK announcement. Set up a way through iTunes to do it that involves the user's iTunes password along with plenty of warnings about what wiping it will do to the phone. If I had an iPhone and it got stolen (at no fault of my own), then I would like it for there to be a way for me (or AT&T) to wipe the phone and leave it useless, even if it meant that I would have to pay to do it. I would pay AT&T $20 to wipe my phone and brick it if it meant my information were safe and whoever stole it wouldn't be able to use it for anything more than a paperweight.
But it is cases like this where I wish that Apple (and AT&T) would give their users the ability to wipe their phone, like how it was featured for the enterprise clients at the SDK announcement. Set up a way through iTunes to do it that involves the user's iTunes password along with plenty of warnings about what wiping it will do to the phone. If I had an iPhone and it got stolen (at no fault of my own), then I would like it for there to be a way for me (or AT&T) to wipe the phone and leave it useless, even if it meant that I would have to pay to do it. I would pay AT&T $20 to wipe my phone and brick it if it meant my information were safe and whoever stole it wouldn't be able to use it for anything more than a paperweight.
The only thing that sucks about having nice things is that there are plenty of scum out there that will steal it from you given even the slightest opportunity to do so.
I work in law enforcement and I can tell you right now that there is no justice for victims of theft and otherwise, even when the scum gets caught. It's just not the courts' priority.
So my advice is to learn a tough lesson from this, and most of all:
Don't be a victim or let yourself be victimized.
I work in law enforcement and I can tell you right now that there is no justice for victims of theft and otherwise, even when the scum gets caught. It's just not the courts' priority.
So my advice is to learn a tough lesson from this, and most of all:
Don't be a victim or let yourself be victimized.
Unfortunately, the chance of you recovering the phone is very very slim.
I see cases like this all day long.
It's not a matter of fault, it's a matter of protecting yourself. Unfortunately, all it takes is a split second for someone to cause' you harm so it's imperative that you take measures and try to constantly be aware of your surroundings.
Sorry to hear you were victimized..
I see cases like this all day long.
It's not a matter of fault, it's a matter of protecting yourself. Unfortunately, all it takes is a split second for someone to cause' you harm so it's imperative that you take measures and try to constantly be aware of your surroundings.
Sorry to hear you were victimized..
the sim card was suspended, so the only way to track it would be if i check every week to see if it gets activated by someone else. If they just switch SIM cards i am out of luck. When and if the phone gets activated, i would be able to tell by the IMEI and then the police could track who ever has it.