Today in TechThief takes stolen iPhone to Apple Store for repair, gets new replacement for free
Being the victim of property theft is a scary and frustrating experience, and no item is more dangerous in the hands of a thief than your smartphone. Nicolette Olson knows that first hand, after having her iPhone 4 and other electronics stolen from her home in British Columbia, during her son's 19th birthday party last October. At the time, she believed she knew the culprit, but couldn't prove it.
Then, on February 7, 4 months after the theft took place, she received an automated email from her local Apple Store letting her know that her phone had been repaired and was awaiting pickup. Upon contacting the store she learned that her phone was indeed there, and that the alleged thief had brought it in, claiming it was his, and received a brand new replacement phone at no cost. Because Olson's phone was still covered under her extended warranty, no identification or other information was checked.
Olson then contact the local police who tried unsuccessfully to retrieve the stolen handset from the store in British Columbia. Now, nearly 8 months since the original theft, and after contacting multiple local news outlets, Olson finally caught the attention of Apple's loss prevention manager. Her ordeal is almost over, and she is expecting a new phone in short order, but for now, it seems, the thief has pulled one over on Apple.
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