Second hand iphone - no service and prev. owners apple account still signed in

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I just bought a second-hand iphone 4 off eBay for my mum. The listing stated it was in full working order and locked to Orange which I thought would not be a problem because I intended to unlock it and put it on an O2 pay monthly contract.

We received the phone today and there's a couple of issues. First of all, the previous owners apple account is still signed in and he still has some of his info on the phone such as contacts etc. I tried deleting the apple account but need the password. I googled and apparently I can reset the device but I read a few things which said this wouldn't fix the apple account issue so I'm reluctant to do this until I know how to solve it. I obviously don't have his password so is this something I can fix or is it unfixable without having his password?

Secondly, the phone is displaying "no service". As mentioned, the listing did say it was locked to Orange and the old Orange sim card was in the phone when it came this morning so I'm not sure if this means there's a fault or if it just means he's deactivated the sim? I've never bought a used mobile before so please excuse my ignorance regarding this

So basically, is the No Service message a fault or just a deactivated sim, and is there a way for me to delete the old apple account?

Thanks

[MI5]

No service could mean either a deactivated sim or a barred phone.
You can check the IMEI number here to see if it is barred http://www.checkmend.com/uk/
You cannot reset an iPhone without the apple id password so you need to get that resolved by the original owner.

[viridis]

Sounds as dodgy as it gets.
Give the seller a message and see what they say and do. Give one chance to sort it and then report as sold not as described.
Checkmend it first though.

[Anonymous]

Thanks. I checked the IMEI using a different site after I posted and before I saw your comment and it came back 'clean' so that's a positive. How will the owner be able to fix this issue? Is there something he can do on his apple account as I'd feel uncomfortable taking his password tbh.

[Cleoriff]

Oh dear is all I am going to say just yet.......Other than Ebay is rapidly becoming a no go area for any phones to buy.......I have bought new from Ebay back in the day...don't think I would even trust those now though

[viridis]

He will HAVE to give you hus password to remove the account.
After that he can change it again.

[Cleoriff]

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@viridis wrote:
He will HAVE to give you hus password to remove the account.
After that he can change it again.

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Surely once the seller has given the password to remove the account and IF the buyer enters his own password immediately then the seller has no further control over it?

[jonsie]

Easiest thing to do first of all is to get an orange sim to make sure the phone is indeed active. Personally I think you have bought a pile of trouble.  Is there any proviso on the advert about returning the phone? 

[viridis]

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@Cleoriff wrote:

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@viridis wrote:
He will HAVE to give you hus password to remove the account.
After that he can change it again.

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Surely once the seller has given the password to remove the account and IF the buyer enters his own password immediately then the seller has no further control over it?

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The account could be linked to other devices in which the seller can go onto icloud.com etc and change it.

It's either that or return it bottom line. As of now, seller still has digital control and digital ownership of that iphone

[viridis]

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@jonsie wrote:

Easiest thing to do first of all is to get an orange sim to make sure the phone is indeed active. Personally I think you have bought a pile of trouble.  Is there any proviso on the advert about returning the phone? 

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This^^^^

If it were me, id arrange a return and refund through ebay as item not as described (is not wiped and has non removable user account on it)