The Association of Mobile Communication Device Technicians on Monday enlightened buyers of used phones on some key steps to take before closing a deal.

The president of AMCODET, Kehinde Apara, said it was necessary for used phone buyers to be cautious to prevent them from purchasing stolen phones, which may have been used to commit crimes.

He noted that it would be difficult to discourage buying used phones as they were much more pocket-friendly, reduced electronic waste, and supported sustainable consumption.

“However, it has become an increasing and recurring occurrence for innocent persons to get arrested by law enforcement agents, because they bought stolen phones which, in some cases, may have been used to commit crimes.

“When buying a used phone, one should be cautious and take time to research the seller, inspect the phone, and verify its history. Do not rush into a purchase, and ensure you are buying from a reputable and trusted source.

“Also, no matter how trusted the source is, make sure you inspect the phone thoroughly, check for any signs of tampering, damage, or wear and tear that may indicate the phone has been used extensively or stolen. Verify that the serial number on the phone matches the one on the packaging or documentation,” said Mr Apara.

He urged the potential buyer to ensure a receipt or proof of purchase from the seller is provided and “register the phone with your network provider to ensure you are the legitimate owner”.

Mr Apara added that when buying used phones, buyers should check the phone’s IMEI number on the manufacturer’s website or through the network provider to ensure it has not been reported stolen.

He said that it was important to check the phone’s history with services like CheckMEND or Swappa, which are both comprehensive device checkers that would show if a phone had been reported stolen or had any outstanding issues.

Mr Apara said that the association had been advocating for phones to be registered, just as SIM cards were. He noted that phone registration was important for checking the circulation of stolen phones; however, the Nigeria Communications Commission had yet to approve the process and policy for registering phones.

He said that if the steps he had listed could be adhered to, then one was most likely to keep safe from buying unsafe used phones. 

(NAN)