Today, I posted my phone for sale on Facebook. Someone hit me up to buy it and wanted me to meet them. I didn't really want to drive to them, but I'm a mom of two and I needed food and some extra cash, so I did it. The guy asked to look at the phone… and ran off with it. FML
Collection
Fall
Dead leaves, the first cold of the season and an umbrella flipped inside out: fall, the season of grace.
Today, I wanted to sell some Jordan sneakers on OfferUp. I met up with the buyer in a parking lot. The friendly looking lady buying them said, “Thanks for the shoes, bitch!” then a guy come out, punched me, grabbed the shoes, and they both hauled ass. People saw and did nothing. There goes my kids’ Christmas gifts. FML
Today, my phone went missing. My 8-year-old son took it to school and sold it for $10. FML
Today, a passenger in my taxi left without paying. They left their phone, so I posted a message about it from their social media, exposing them. Turns out they'd stolen the phone from someone else. I ended up getting arrested. FML
Today, I was looking at the map on my phone whilst walking down a street. I heard the sound of a bike behind me so I moved to let the cyclist past. He snatched the phone out of my hand and sped off. FML
Today, after I got in my car in the Walmart parking lot, a creepy man knocked on my window. Since I'm incredibly paranoid and scare easily, I put my car in gear and tore out of there, accidentally hitting another car. Apparently he was returning my phone that I dropped. FML
Today, I was sitting on my bike texting when someone snatched my phone and ran. Like an idiot, I jumped off my bike and ran after him. He then ran in a big circle, got on my bike and sped off. FML
Today, a stranger asked to borrow my phone since his had died. As he was using it, he kept walking away and I had to chase him because he was walking too far. He turned around, yelled, "Stop following me, asshole!" and punched me, knocking me out cold. When I came to, I realized the fucker stole my phone. FML
Today, I let a guy I like look at my phone. A second later I remembered I had a secret copy of his Facebook profile picture on there to show a friend what he looked like. I was forced to tackle him to get my phone back. FML
Today, I did a "dine and dash" and left my phone in the restaurant. The owner answered my phone call. FML
Today, someone posted online a listing for a bicycle for sale, and accidentally put my phone number instead of their own. I have received more calls in one day than I have from friends and family in a week. FML
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Top comments
RichardPencil 32
This is why you meet in a crowded public place. Hopefully, you recorded the IMEI number and report it to your carrier, so they can render the phone inoperable and track it down.
Darkness_Hate 29
Always go in pair just in case! FYL
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Comments (15)
Dodge4x4Ram 46
You want to give people the benefit of doubt and than it backsfires. I've been there, not everyone is bad. Just be more cautious.
Darkness_Hate 29
Always go in pair just in case! FYL
WHSKitty4ever 23
That wouldn’t necessarily help.
RichardPencil 32
This is why you meet in a crowded public place. Hopefully, you recorded the IMEI number and report it to your carrier, so they can render the phone inoperable and track it down.
ViviMage 40
^ This. My ex roommate had her ex girlfriend steal the work paid cell phone and she was able to get the serial IMEI and MEID to the police, and the police returned the phone. Also if it's an iPhone, use the find my phone app from another iOS device or from their website and mark it as stolen ASAP. Do not erase the phone though, it should be safe under a lock screen. Unless you never locked it under a pin... Do *not* remove the iPhone from your iCloud account though! Even if he erases it by a computer it will start up and ask for your info and he can't put in his iCloud info. It makes the phone a brick where he can't get past the startup screen. Look up iCloud locking. Also see if your phone carrier can help trying to lock it down or to issue you a new phone through insurance you paid for. If your phone was an android you'll need another expert. And save all Facebook marketplace messages to try to track the man down/prosecute him.
yeongji 31
Aside from meeting in a crowded place, meet inside an actual building or anywhere but a sidewalk. It is for your own safety and bring someone with you. I have sold a few items before and had someone come with me to either a cafe, subway station, or somewhere with security cameras (i.e. outside a bank). My buddy is always someone who is a fast runner and have a chance of taking the other person down if something goes wrong. Do not be afraid to suggest another place if you are not comfortable with the place the other person suggested. If the buyer/seller is that interested, he/she will be willing to compromise the location.
WHSKitty4ever 23
That’s what you get for.1) not shipping it and 2) not getting payment beforehand.
xxWTFxx1981 23
This world is filled with dirt scumbags
KittyMack 13
OF COURSE he ran off with it. I'm not saying I'd run myself, but I'd for damn sure be prepared for the buyer to run, were I the seller. How is that not everyone's top paranoia if they meet a stranger to sell something? If someone's too naive to see this coming, they're too naive to be trusted to raise children. I just hope those poor kids have at least one functional adult in their lives who takes an interest in advising them.
crazycrochetlady 12
Not everyone automatically thinks the worst of people and this doesnt make them a bad parent. Also not everyone thinks someone who's name and photo is in their inbox is going to steal something they are selling, that's not smart on the thieves part.
alycion 39
Some areas, including my own, are asking people to do these exchanges in their lobby to prevent this and other crimes because not all people think the worst. Unfortunately, bad things do happen and it’s best to always be prepared. Op is lucky it was just a stolen phone. I’ve done parking lot meetups. But it was mutual friends of people I trusted and knew would help track them down if they ripped me off. I also knew his place of business and took my rather intimidating looking husband. Not saying op deserved it. Nobody does. Just happy it wasn’t worse.
Silverion Sairee 14
I would've asked for his id to hold onto while he looked at the phone, or meet in a place where he can't run off easilly like a cafe where you can yell 'thief!!!' and hope someone trips the guy.
crazycrochetlady 12
If he used his real name to buy the phone from you on Facebook that makes it easier to report him to the police. If you sold your phone in a yard sale group make sure to let the page admin know so he can get kicked from the group so this doesnt happen to someone else.
MyS3lf 24
Poor thing, next time try a food bank please.
stormy0307 16
My local police station has a couple parking spots right next to the front door and covered with cameras for doing exchanges just like this. Look into seeing if yours has something similar.