Are UPS Workers Stealing iPhones?

A UPS worker is claiming that supply employees assist themselves to client items, particularly iPhones. The TikToker, Jennifer (@_jennndoll), posted a viral clip on the favored social media app that accrued over 1.6 million views.

Featured Video

In it, she information herself tossing an opened field in a bin. Within the clip’s textual content overlay, she seems to recommend that the field was full of Apple units.

“UPS employee POV: In case your iPhone don’t make it in time for Christmas, it’s as a result of somebody ‘borrowed’ it,” she says.

Nods in settlement

Commenters who responded to Jennifer’s video seemingly corroborated her claims. In a follow-up, she replied to a fellow person’s declare {that a} supply employee opened her package deal. “I simply obtained my new cellphone however the package deal was opened. The lads most likely didn’t need a pink cellphone, lol.”

Jennifer detailed how she first discovered employees dig by way of patron deliveries. She stated she was on shift with a coworker when she noticed an open field. And inside the open field, was a package deal for a brand new pink iPhone 16. Following protocol, they taped the field up and set it to the facet.

As she went about her work day, she noticed yet one more open field, which additionally had an iPhone inside it. Nonetheless, that field had been opened and never put again collectively and there was no iPhone inside. This might imply that somebody opened the package deal and stole the iPhone.

Additional inspection

Afterwards, the TikToker speculated that the identical utilized to the unique field she found and taped up. So Jennifer opened and regarded inside. Positive sufficient, the machine was lacking.

Jennifer stated it didn’t take lengthy to note a theme: round 20 or so open iPhone packages had been noticed throughout their shift—all lacking their telephones. Moreover, she stated that warehouse thieves would open bins that contained Android telephones. Nonetheless, these had been in the end left alone.

Jennifer stated that she believes she was as soon as the sufferer of the same incident. She observed a cellphone supply was taking longer than anticipated, which prompted her to name UPS. In consequence, she needed to contact her cellphone firm, who categorical shipped her a brand new machine.

Closing out her video, she urged individuals who suspect their cellphone was swiped throughout delivery to open a claims case with UPS instantly. Jennifer stated the corporate has loads of cash and that affected prospects shouldn’t hesitate to safe a refund or alternative.

Not price stealing?

One commenter who responded to Jennifer’s video didn’t suppose it made sense to steal the telephones. They referenced the truth that Apple has the flexibility to “brick” particular units marked as stolen. Nonetheless, there are multiple assets online that seem to point this system isn’t completely true.

Whereas a stolen iPhone may be disabled, it should first be registered to somebody for that to occur. As soon as registered with sure Discover My iPhone options enabled, a person can then report their machine as misplaced or stolen. Nonetheless, if a buyer by no means acquired their bodily cellphone within the first place, this can’t occur. Serial numbers alone received’t do the trick.

Which signifies that if somebody steals a tool earlier than it’s registered, remotely disabling it isn’t an choice.

Nonetheless, others say a cellphone may be blacklisted by wi-fi carriers prior to activation. Customers on the Stack Exchange discussion board echoed this sentiment as properly. Nonetheless, some commenters on Quora speculate carriers shall be reluctant to take action as a result of they’re doubtlessly lacking out on promoting their wi-fi service to a potential buyer.

A fast buck

Jennifer also countered the “stolen and bricked” argument, noting that thieves can promote units shortly on-line at a reduction. Slashed costs on new iPhones could encourage of us to throw warning to the wind.

Additional, she says that used cellphone restore outlets also can profit from buying stolen telephones. That’s as a result of they’ll seize important parts like new screens and digicam sensors to repair patrons’ units.

“That’s what individuals do with ‘brick’ telephones,” Jennifer states.

Jennifer referenced IMEI lookup websites that provide a slew of knowledge on units. These checkers will typically let patrons know if a cellphone is reported as stolen. So when you’re considering of shopping for an iPhone from a personal vendor, using considered one of these companies can show useful. If it hasn’t been reported as stolen, you possibly can activate it and tie it to your iPhone account. If it has, thieves can test these companies and head to a restore store and negotiate a deal to promote it for elements.

TikTokers suspicious of deliveries

One person who responded to Jennifer’s video stated that they’ve by no means trusted electronics deliveries. “I at all times order electronics for decide up at a retailer b/c of this.”

Another person wrote that their Apple merchandise had been stolen a number of occasions. That is regardless of requiring a signature for supply. In accordance with them, somebody solid their signature and stole their merchandise.

One other person on the applying stated it wasn’t simply UPS workers who interact in any such on-site pilfering. “FedEx is means worse. My son’s oculus case has been lacking for DAYS. I’m questioning if somebody thought it was an precise oculus.”

One individual stated they’re nonetheless ready on an iPad that’s 4 days late. “As I’m ready for my daughters iPad to be delivered at present, was speculated to be delivered 4 days in the past. Nonetheless hopeful although.”

One other TikTok who reported their stolen UPS package deal to police sparked the ire of a supply worker. “This occurred to me just a few years in the past with UPS and the police obtained concerned. UPS employee on the route was so mad AT ME, he refused to ship to my tackle anymore. I needed to undergo heck to get my stuff.”

@_jennndoll Discovered about 16 instances of Iphones. #fyp #parati #foryoupage #ghetto ♬ Ghetto – E.K.E.

The Each day Dot has reached out to UPS and Jennifer through e mail for additional remark.


The web is chaotic—however we’ll break it down for you in a single day by day e mail. Join for the Each day Dot’s web_crawlr e-newsletter here to get the perfect (and worst) of the web straight into your inbox.

Sensi Tech Hub
Logo