Submitted by Margaretttt- t3_yhknms in iphone
Hello, I just bought an iPhone 13 Pro Max yesterday through Facebook marketplace. The guy told me it was carrier unlocked and i found it wasn’t once I set up the phone. I have contacted Verizon and they both that he would need to be the one to contact (he is no longer answering me) said the phone isn’t on anyone’s account so there is nothing they can do. Apple and AT&T both said Verizon is responsible. What do I do ?
They said it was bought outright just over 60 days ago
When you tried setting up the phone, did it tell you it was locked by Verizon? Typically Verizon will automatically unlock their phones after 60-days from the date purchased. The only exception that I am aware of is when a phone has been reported lost or stolen.
So yeah, Verizon should have be able to provide that information. At the very least, Apple should have been able to tell you the date it was activated as well since it would have also recorded that as the support and coverage eligabilitiy date.
Reference: https://checkcoverage.apple.com/
They said it wasn’t reported lost or stolen. It does say it was locked by Verizon.
eBay, there are 24-48hr unlock services for Verizon. I’ve used them many times and have always worked.
Could you send a link? I can’t find it
Then it wasn’t paid for. IE money is still owed on the device.
If it’s locked to Verizon this can’t be the case. Or the person didn’t leave the phone active on Verizon for 60 days.
With Verizon, the carrier lock is on the phones for 60 days before it is removed. Your best bet may be waiting until the lock comes off. The person probably bought it from VZW and sold it as unlocked.
i would start working with facebook to file a purchase protection claim because the seller seems to have misled you about the condition of the phone. that way if you can’t get it unlocked, at least you’re not necessarily out whatever money you paid for it
The phone will probably not get unlocked because if it’s not on a Verizon account it can’t be unlocked. Thankfully the guy paid it off which is kind of amazing because most of the time people do that when they can’t afford their Verizon phone bill. Kind of interesting that the phone didn’t even stay on the Netwerk for 60 days
It may of been, but the seller didn’t pay his bill for the required 60 days in his contract with them.
What makes you think the guy paid it off? Being not paid off and owing money is most likely the reason it’s still locked.
I wouldn't pay to have the phone unlocked. Like others have said Verizon will automatically remove the Carrier SIM lock 60 days after activation as long as the account is in good standing. If the orginal owner owes Verizon money for that phone they will blacklist it and you won't be able to use it on any US Carrier.
He scammed you. He wanted a new phone but still had money left to pay on this 13 PM he had with Verizon and didn’t want to wait (or wasn’t willing) to pay it off.
So, it’s not as bad as being sold a stolen device but it’s pretty useless to you - the scammer got what he wanted - money for a phone he no longer cares about so he can go elsewhere.
Always meet face to face with these kinds of transactions - meet in a public place like a police station (many even have areas set up for online transactions) and ask the seller to wipe the phone so you can activate it. If he’s unwilling/unable to do that, something is up.
Once the phone is in your iCloud account, give him the money with confidence. If he puts up an argument, just say he can have his phone back and he can reactivate with his account and restore.
A legit seller should have no issues with this,
>It may of have been, but the seller didn’t pay his bill for the required 60 days in his contract with them.
infinityandbeyond75 t1_iuea6yf wrote
Only the carrier it’s locked to can unlock it so you will need to continue working with Verizon. Technically with Verizon their phones should be automatically unlocked after 60 days.