A package that was supposed to contain an iPhone had been previously opened and sloppily resealed
A T-Mobile subscriber received this package which came without the iPhone that was supposed to be inside. | Image credit-Reddit
Others who had a trade-in due were shipped their new phone in the same box that included the return label and bubble wrap for their trade. So yes, the iPhone 16 should have been in the box and it was not sent just for the trade. A photo taken of the box by the victim shows that it has crinkled clear tape all over the outside which would seem to be the work of a thief in a rush who grabbed the phone out of the box and quickly looked to reseal it.
While no one can say for sure who took the iPhone out of the box, a Redditor threw in his two cents and said, “Got stolen during transport. When it comes to you with clear tape on it, somebody somewhere at UPS took it.” Another Redditor unfortunately was also victimized in the same manner. “My T-Mobile package was also stolen getting to me at UPS. So I think it’s an internal issue that desperately needs to get fixed.”
There is something that you can do to help put the odds in your favor if this happens to you
If we can pass along some advice, perhaps the best thing you can do when receiving your new iPhone-or any new device really-is to have someone video you opening the package just in case you end up in a battle with the company you bought the device from, and/or the delivery company. And when you send a device to a carrier as part of a trade-in, make sure you are recorded putting the device in the envelope and sealing it.
After all, you never know when you might end up having the experience that the following person had did. “UPS stole my new phone and watch when I shipped them back to T-Mobile,” he said. “T-Mobile wouldn’t work with me, even sent me to collections. $1600 and no devices later, I’ll never do business with them again.” Making such a recording seems like a pain in the butt, but the video might be the difference between losing a thousand dollars or more and getting reimbursed for the stolen device(s).