Friend found a LG G3, safe to use?

[Insomniator]

Buddy of mine found a LG G3 in a parking lot in almost perfect condition, just a few scratches on the back. I guess the owner already ordered a new phone from insurance because he said the last few emails on the phone (not locked I guess?) were about her new one arriving already.

Now I know the right move is to try to return it to her, but I don't think he's going that route. Is it possible Verizon will 'ban' the phone from use? I don't know how this kind of thing works.

He said I could buy it for 300... not sure I really need it... maybe if he'd take 200....

 

[cronos]

If it's reported missing and replaced then Verizon will definitely (if not already) block it and blacklist the ESN from its network. You simply won't be able to activate it on Verizon's network.

You *may* still be able to use it on other carriers, but because of the circumstance this is not a discussion that I would participate in.

 

[Midwayman]

I hope if he doesn't return it, the police show up on his door for possession of stolen goods.

 

[razel]

Return it to her. It's the holidays. You never know, if she or her friends are cute, he'll have a great start.

 

[kyrax12]

How come your friend is not planning to return the phone to the rightful owner?

 

[Insomniator]

I hope if he doesn't return it, the police show up on his door for possession of stolen goods.

How is this stolen goods?

How come your friend is not planning to return the phone to the rightful owner?

No idea, haven't asked. Doesn't seem like it even crossed his mind.

 

[Ravynmagi]

How is this stolen goods?

He took possession of something that belongs to someone else. And it sounds like he possibly has enough information to return it. To me that is as good as stealing. Kinda lame at the least.

 

[ImDonly1]

If the owner is getting an insurance replacement, the phone is already reported as stolen and blocked on Verizon. The phone is useless as a phone now.

Only way it can be unblocked is by the owner. Might as well give it back to owner, since it seems you have her e-mail/contact info.

 

[soccerballtux]

If the owner is getting an insurance replacement, the phone is already reported as stolen and blocked on Verizon. The phone is useless as a phone now.

Only way it can be unblocked is by the owner. Might as well give it back to owner, since it seems you have her e-mail/contact info.

I would report the insurance fraud. Lost != stolen, and if you're silly enough to leave it somewhere you'll learn not to do it again. He should get a free phone

 

[midwestfisherman]

I would report the insurance fraud. Lost != stolen, and if you're silly enough to leave it somewhere you'll learn not to do it again. He should get a free phone

Sounds like a douche bag move to me. Not realizing you lost something, one might think it was stolen. ASS U Ming that she committed fraud is a stupid thing to do.

As far as the OP, the guy not returning the phone is a douche bag move too!

 

[SlitheryDee]

He should know what the right thing to do here is. It's not even really debatable.

 

[gorcorps]

I would report the insurance fraud. Lost != stolen, and if you're silly enough to leave it somewhere you'll learn not to do it again. He should get a free phone

It could have been stolen, and then dumped when it got reported and blocked. You don't have enough information.

 

[blairharrington]

Return the phone to your local Verizon store.

 

[Strk]

I'd return it.

When I found someone's iphone, I returned it. Sadly, instead of some hot and very grateful Asian chick it turned out to be an old black dude, but still ok to do the right thing!

 

[cronos]

I would report the insurance fraud. Lost != stolen, and if you're silly enough to leave it somewhere you'll learn not to do it again. He should get a free phone

Huh? That's how Verizon and the insurance deals with it. To them whether the phone was lost or stolen doesn't matter, it is the exact same thing. The point is that the owner reported that they don't have it anymore, Verizon processed the replacement and block the lost one so it can't be activated on Verizon's network. There is no fraud taking place here.

 

[soccerballtux]

Sounds like a douche bag move to me. Not realizing you lost something, one might think it was stolen. ASS U Ming that she committed fraud is a stupid thing to do.

As far as the OP, the guy not returning the phone is a douche bag move too!

that's a possibility I didn't consider. I'll grant you that.

It could have been stolen, and then dumped when it got reported and blocked. You don't have enough information.

that's grasping at straws. Just sell it on the EU ebay.

Huh? That's how Verizon and the insurance deals with it. To them whether the phone was lost or stolen doesn't matter, it is the exact same thing. The point is that the owner reported that they don't have it anymore, Verizon processed the replacement and block the lost one so it can't be activated on Verizon's network. There is no fraud taking place here.

I thought it had to be stolen for them to grant insurance "yeah I 'lost' it...want a new phone..."

 

[dguy6789]

Anything less than returning it to the owner = extremely shitty

 

[cronos]

I thought it had to be stolen for them to grant insurance "yeah I 'lost' it...want a new phone..."

I'm sure each insurance is different, and we have no idea the exact clause of this particular one. Personally I have never insured my devices, but if I did, I'd make sure that whether I 'lost it' or 'had it stolen' would make me eligible for replacement just the same, because except in a situation that I was blatantly robbed, I would have no idea to know if I just misplaced my phone or someone took it while I wasn't looking.

 

[KeithP]

If you get a chance, take your buddies current phone.

When he mentions it is missing say, "Don't worry about it. I am sure if someone finds it they will take steps to return it to you." If he doesn't get the hint, go to a shady part of town, set the phone on the ground and then leave.

-KeithP

 

[cpacini]

I thought it had to be stolen for them to grant insurance "yeah I 'lost' it...want a new phone..."

Most carrier insurance plans cover theft, damage, or losing the phone. The deductible is usually high enough to keep people from claiming it's lost when it's not.

 

[Wingznut]

Just because the original owner *probably* got the phone replaced via insurance, it doesn't mean they are whole. Perhaps there is data on that phone that is invaluable to them. Perhaps there are pictures that are irreplaceable. Perhaps there is something related to their work they need.

 

[SKORPI0]

I wouldn't even think twice on not returning it to the owner, regardless that they already got a replacement. OP, tell your friend to do the right thing.

 

[master_shake_]

you'll have to review the landmark case

finders keepers v losers weepers.

return the stupid thing.

 

[zerogear]

I'm pretty sure ESN Blacklist is shared nowadays.

 

[Lyfer]

Last time I checked keeping something that is not yours is theft.