Scams when selling a phone: 7 tricks and how to avoid them

Selling a phone through a listing is a favourite hunting ground for scammers. Here are the most common tricks and how to protect yourself.

1. "I've already paid, check this link"

You get a screenshot of a transfer or a "link to receive payment" that asks for your card details. That's theft from your card. Never enter card details from a buyer's link. Money is received only when you see it in your own banking app.

2. Courier / delivery

"I'm in another city, let's use delivery, here's a link." The link leads to a fake site. Sell in person or through verified methods.

3. SMS code

"Send me the code to confirm the deal." An SMS code is access to your bank, email or messenger. Never share codes.

4. Swap during inspection

The buyer "checks" the phone, turns away and hands back a similar-looking broken or empty one. Don't let the phone out of your sight, and check the IMEI before and after (dial *#06#).

5. "Sign out of iCloud later"

The buyer talks you out of signing out, or asks for your Apple ID password "to check". Never share your Apple ID password; sign out yourself before handing over.

6. Counterfeit cash and "pay in parts"

Count and check cash at a bank or with witnesses. "Half now, the rest later" almost always means "the rest never".

7. Meeting somewhere empty

Meet in busy places, in daylight, ideally in a shopping centre or a bank.

How to sell safely

Meet in a busy place; get the money before handing over the phone.
No links, codes or passwords.
Sign out and reset before handover: how to prepare a phone for sale.

Or sell to a service

We buy phones, tablets and laptops in Batumi: a quote from photos on Telegram, checked in front of you, paid on the spot — no links, couriers or haggling. More: we buy devices.