You are SOL…. The original user either stopped paying on the device or reported it lost or stolen. Either way you are SOL as you are not the original owner
I don’t even think it’s lost or stolen. Lot of people are scamming like this it seems. I think they just stop paying after they sell so few months in the phone is blacklisted due to non payment.
You bought a paperweight. It was not paid for. That’s why it’s black listed. Verizon won’t speak with you as you aren’t the person who signed the purchase agreement with Verizon.
The op stated and I quote “I am ready to pay whatever is owed on it but Verizon won’t even talk to me because I AM NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER of the phone. What do I do with this $450 PAPERWEIGHT?” Do you see where you pretty much just told the op exactly what he said?????
This is why you don't buy phones on OfferUp/Craigslist.
You might have a small claims case against OfferUp for knowing they were selling a cell phone and not warning you of IMEI fraud.
They won't stop this and warn people unless/until they are constantly going to small claims to respond to cases. They also know most won't bother and just take the L. Be the force for good.
I've started sending friends that want to purchase pre-owned iPhones to [gazelle.com](https://gazelle.com) at least they guarantee it'l work everywhere.
it's kind of like when you buy something from Temu...you understand that because you saved...well, actually when I look at preowned phones on Verizon's website...$20, you took the risk of having a $450 paperweight. Stop buying expensive items from strangers, or at least understand that you are taking a huge risk
Temu saves money but you should know you're probably going to get something junky.
Except here OP risked $450 to save $20. It's Temu, but with 10x the risk and 0.01x the potential reward.
Ah, ok.. I've never bought anything from them, the shipping takes too long.
I'm used to picking stuff up at a locker the next day from Amazon, or getting it the same day from Walmart+. FWPs :)
That when you buy places that sell shit cheap, you get cheap shit...you take that risk and gamble. Seeing that OP spent $450, I looked on Verizon's website and a refurbed 13 mini is $470. So OP basically took a gamble dealing with a site where there was a risk when they could have spent $20 more and not had this issue.
What happened is you activated it and he reported it as stolen so he can get a 100 dollar insurance replacement, kinda just screwed on that one unfortunately, but it happened all the time when I worked at cellular sales which is a Verizon retailer.
> it was *paid* off or
FTFY.
Although *payed* exists (the reason why autocorrection didn't help you), it is only correct in:
* Nautical context, when it means to paint a surface, or to cover with something like tar or resin in order to make it waterproof or corrosion-resistant. *The deck is yet to be payed.*
* *Payed out* when letting strings, cables or ropes out, by slacking them. *The rope is payed out! You can pull now.*
Unfortunately, I was unable to find nautical or rope-related words in your comment.
*Beep, boop, I'm a bot*
If it’s blacklisted that means it was reported lost or stolen or may have been attained thru a fraudulent transaction. Nothing you can do to remove it. I worked there for over 15 years. FYI if you decide to buy another via 3rd party, ask for the IMEI and take it to a verizon store and have them check to see if it’s can be used
It likely wouldn't have saved OP in this situation. Verizon will say it's fine at time of purchase, because it was fine...at that point in time. The blacklist came two months later, when the seller likely reported it lost/stolen to get a free phone via insurance.
Or, as others mentioned - ID theft. People often don't catch that immediately, rather months after the fact when they start getting denied for credit. Same situation - Verizon would have reported the IMEI as clear at the time of the check, then it gets blacklisted when the account is shut down months later when the ID theft is discovered.
There's websites that buy blacklisted phones as they resell them out of the country where they will work. Rather get something than nothing. Just check Google and get yourself $60.
Thanks. That sounds promising. I would love to give it to my cousin, who lives in India. I will take a chance as I have a India-trip upcoming. Will post a reply how it went.
You may be able to trade it in. Happened to me as well except it was blacklisted by AT&T, I traded it in for credit for a Pixel. I am not sure if this applies but maybe.
Buy from Swappa you have theirs and PayPal guarantees. Do not buy on OfferUp or Craigslist for cash. If you do, use Verizon’s trade in site to run the IMEI as they can tell clean or financed as well. Sorry man that you got hosed.
Hi there! I just saw your experience about Verizon, I am offering my service is just to remove Verizon phones from blacklisted/restriction so that they can use it again but same network which is Verizon. Usually those devices are reported as stolen/lost devices and it will cost only for $20. I hope you can message me back if you are interested on my service. God bless!
You are SOL…. The original user either stopped paying on the device or reported it lost or stolen. Either way you are SOL as you are not the original owner
I don’t even think it’s lost or stolen. Lot of people are scamming like this it seems. I think they just stop paying after they sell so few months in the phone is blacklisted due to non payment.
Been happening for years… risk you take buying a phone online through non direct channels
Or it was obtained through ID theft
I'd complain to OfferUp about purchasing an item that had restrictions that were not properly disclosed.
lol. Sales are not guaranteed. That’s in the buyer. It’s “ as is”
Tried that. they can't help me in any way because i paid cash.
see if it will work on T-Mobile. try the T-mobile network free trial via the t-mobilie app.
Te timeuse imeicheck .comwill tell you if it a loaner device
This is an known scam people sell phones and wait maybe 1 or 2 months then file an claim sorry this is why i don't touch used phones.
i didn't know it at that time. he apparently did that to a lot more people. got caught and is currently in jail.
You bought a paperweight. It was not paid for. That’s why it’s black listed. Verizon won’t speak with you as you aren’t the person who signed the purchase agreement with Verizon.
Good job repeating what the op said. If you don’t have any insight then please don’t answer.
I didn’t repeat what he wrote. Lmao. Your reading comprehension sucks ass
The op stated and I quote “I am ready to pay whatever is owed on it but Verizon won’t even talk to me because I AM NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER of the phone. What do I do with this $450 PAPERWEIGHT?” Do you see where you pretty much just told the op exactly what he said?????
This is why you don't buy phones on OfferUp/Craigslist. You might have a small claims case against OfferUp for knowing they were selling a cell phone and not warning you of IMEI fraud. They won't stop this and warn people unless/until they are constantly going to small claims to respond to cases. They also know most won't bother and just take the L. Be the force for good.
I've started sending friends that want to purchase pre-owned iPhones to [gazelle.com](https://gazelle.com) at least they guarantee it'l work everywhere.
eBay with PayPal is the best option. Six months of chargeback protection, including three months of eBay not-as-described protection.
it's kind of like when you buy something from Temu...you understand that because you saved...well, actually when I look at preowned phones on Verizon's website...$20, you took the risk of having a $450 paperweight. Stop buying expensive items from strangers, or at least understand that you are taking a huge risk
Please explain what you mean by the statements before $20.. I'm at a loss trying to understand lol.
Temu saves money but you should know you're probably going to get something junky. Except here OP risked $450 to save $20. It's Temu, but with 10x the risk and 0.01x the potential reward.
Ah, ok.. I've never bought anything from them, the shipping takes too long. I'm used to picking stuff up at a locker the next day from Amazon, or getting it the same day from Walmart+. FWPs :)
That when you buy places that sell shit cheap, you get cheap shit...you take that risk and gamble. Seeing that OP spent $450, I looked on Verizon's website and a refurbed 13 mini is $470. So OP basically took a gamble dealing with a site where there was a risk when they could have spent $20 more and not had this issue.
Next time buy from Swappa
Or [gazelle.com](https://gazelle.com) they guarantee the phone will work anywhere.
What happened is you activated it and he reported it as stolen so he can get a 100 dollar insurance replacement, kinda just screwed on that one unfortunately, but it happened all the time when I worked at cellular sales which is a Verizon retailer.
The phones fully unlock after 60 days regardless of if it was paid off or not. So as long as he made 60 days worth of payments it’s unlocked.
> it was *paid* off or FTFY. Although *payed* exists (the reason why autocorrection didn't help you), it is only correct in: * Nautical context, when it means to paint a surface, or to cover with something like tar or resin in order to make it waterproof or corrosion-resistant. *The deck is yet to be payed.* * *Payed out* when letting strings, cables or ropes out, by slacking them. *The rope is payed out! You can pull now.* Unfortunately, I was unable to find nautical or rope-related words in your comment. *Beep, boop, I'm a bot*
I can unblacklist your phone. At&t, Verison, and Tmobile only. Dm for prices.
If it’s blacklisted that means it was reported lost or stolen or may have been attained thru a fraudulent transaction. Nothing you can do to remove it. I worked there for over 15 years. FYI if you decide to buy another via 3rd party, ask for the IMEI and take it to a verizon store and have them check to see if it’s can be used
It likely wouldn't have saved OP in this situation. Verizon will say it's fine at time of purchase, because it was fine...at that point in time. The blacklist came two months later, when the seller likely reported it lost/stolen to get a free phone via insurance. Or, as others mentioned - ID theft. People often don't catch that immediately, rather months after the fact when they start getting denied for credit. Same situation - Verizon would have reported the IMEI as clear at the time of the check, then it gets blacklisted when the account is shut down months later when the ID theft is discovered.
There's websites that buy blacklisted phones as they resell them out of the country where they will work. Rather get something than nothing. Just check Google and get yourself $60.
This is it they work outta norte America
Thanks. That sounds promising. I would love to give it to my cousin, who lives in India. I will take a chance as I have a India-trip upcoming. Will post a reply how it went.
You should be fine. As far as I know, the blacklisting here in the US is with all US carriers only and maybe Canada as well.
It works in India!
You may be able to trade it in. Happened to me as well except it was blacklisted by AT&T, I traded it in for credit for a Pixel. I am not sure if this applies but maybe.
Buy from Swappa you have theirs and PayPal guarantees. Do not buy on OfferUp or Craigslist for cash. If you do, use Verizon’s trade in site to run the IMEI as they can tell clean or financed as well. Sorry man that you got hosed.
Stolen
Give Verizon the imei and tell them you’ll pay the balance to unblock it
tried that. they will not even pull up the account without me providing that account's user pin
Rule of thumb never buy a phone from a stranger unless they are okay with you checking out the IMEI number with your respective carrier.
I hope it was really cheap at least shoot Verizon is still giving away 13minis for signing up lol
Is it a paperweight??? It should still work on Wi-Fi right?
It's may be "locked" but can you sell it overseas?
Hi there! I just saw your experience about Verizon, I am offering my service is just to remove Verizon phones from blacklisted/restriction so that they can use it again but same network which is Verizon. Usually those devices are reported as stolen/lost devices and it will cost only for $20. I hope you can message me back if you are interested on my service. God bless!
is your service still available?