Can I Legally Sell Found Phone??

[1Nation]

About a week ago I found a Galaxy S3 outside of work, it's unlocked and completely clean (as in either never used or someone factory reset). Obviously I can find the number that once belonged to the phone by going through the settings.

I've sent a text to the number on the phone and no reply. Can I sell this phone legally?

I've read online that even found phones are still techincally the property of the owner and the phone companies have records of phones that have been reported lost or stolen and you can get in trouble for selling the phone even if you found it and it wasn't stolen.

Any experts out there? Thoughts?

 

[MNclone]

If you found it at work, bring it in to the front desk.

 

[klamath632]

Don't be a dirtbag. Return the phone.

 

[urb1]

If there is any text history, try sending a reply to a few recent texts and ask if they know who's phone this is. Hopefully the owner's name will show up on someone's phone.

 

[cyclone101]

Don't be a dirtbag. Return the phone.

He's from Lincoln, probably can't help it.

 

[Psiclone]

You are required to turn it into the police who will wait for someone to claim it. After a time, if it is not claimed, it will legally be yours.

 

[IcSyU]

Legally I don't know but morally this is a pretty simple decision. Sending a text to the number doesn't quite meet the "try to return it to the owner" standard IMO. Depending on the owner (however unlikely with an S3) they might not have a clue how to get to a text.

The other thing to do would be take it into Verizon/US Cellular/etc. and let them handle tracking the person down. It might be someone who owes them money so they'll keep it or it could be someone who turned their phone in as stolen. They'll be able to track down the owner with the MEIN or SIM card.

 

[IAStubborn]

Check serial/id with phone compqny as I am sure it has been reported stolen lost or they can at least 8dentify the previous owner. If nothing report serial # to police to see if they have a report. I lost/had stolen my galaxy note 2 in muscatine a week ago last friday. It sucked I lost all kinds of pics and stuff I was saving and learned protect cell sucks. Having said that they can find the phine by remotely turning on the gps so if it isnt yours turn it in. If nobody claims it the police will give it you After a while.

 

[Judoka]

You are required to turn it into the police who will wait for someone to claim it. After a time, if it is not claimed, it will legally be yours.

What he said.

 

[CycloneErik]

How is this really a question?

 

[bringmagicback]

of course you cant, that would make you a thief. How is that a question. If you found it outside of work its probably a co worker or customer (dont know where you work). Step one for a logical person is to tell the people at your work. Step two would be turn it in to the PoPo.

 

[CycloneErik]

I found this wallet. After I threw away the IDs, I couldn't tell who it belonged to. Is it my money now? Can I use the credit cards?

 

[IcSyU]

I found this wallet. After I threw away the IDs, I couldn't tell who it belonged to. Is it my money now? Can I use the credit cards?

The credit cards have a name on them so no.

The cash in it on the other hand is yours to keep. :wink:

 

[3TrueFans]

Hey guys, I found a car that was just sitting unlocked on my street last week, can I legally sell it?

 

[bos]

How is this really a question?

It contains a question mark.

 

[CycoCyclone]

this isn't a shipwreck buried at sea for 100 years, you found someone's property that you have a reasonable belief that that person is missing that property.

Recently a couple found money that fell out of an armored car. They kept it and got charged with 1st degree theft.
Found != possession

Police: Couple grabbed money bag that fell out of armored car | Local News - KCCI Home

 

[1Nation]

The phone was found near work, not AT work. I work downtown, it could belong to thousands of people. Our office doesn't have a "front desk".

I spoke with the security guard at work (who is an off duty policeman) and he said don't bother with the police, they don't waste their time connecting the dots between a found phone and a report of a lost phone.

I have an S3 and don't need the $150 it would be worth to sell it, I'm not a dirtbag trying to rip someone off. I sent texts to the number on the phone, as I previously said, no response.

My issue with turning it into Verizon is why let the scummy phone company hold onto it for a month only to refurbish it and make extra money off of it? Will I probably turn it in to Verizon? Yes. Was just looking for opinions, I can't possibly be the first person on this site to find a phone and not be able to find the rightful owner.

 

[CycoCyclone]

how does texting the phone help anyone? If I don't have the phone, I don't get the texts.

 

[CYvilEng]

I recently read on a phone Dev forum about someone that found an s3. It turns out is locked with a pin. They tried taking it to big red but they said they wouldn't help track down the owner. The only conclusion in that discussion was file a police report.

 

[3TrueFans]

The phone was found near work, not AT work. I work downtown, it could belong to thousands of people. Our office doesn't have a "front desk".

I spoke with the security guard at work (who is an off duty policeman) and he said don't bother with the police, they don't waste their time connecting the dots between a found phone and a report of a lost phone.

I have an S3 and don't need the $150 it would be worth to sell it, I'm not a dirtbag trying to rip someone off. I sent texts to the number on the phone, as I previously said, no response.

My issue with turning it into Verizon is why let the scummy phone company hold onto it for a month only to refurbish it and make extra money off of it? Will I probably turn it in to Verizon? Yes. Was just looking for opinions, I can't possibly be the first person on this site to find a phone and not be able to find the rightful owner.

Police or phone company, those are the only non-scumbag choices.