How to Avoid Buying a Stolen Laptop

Buying a laptop that you suspect is stolen is not only unethical, it can also be a bad situation for you personally. Some laptop owners have gotten savvy enough to purchase devices and software like LoJack For Laptops, a program that can trace down the location of a stolen laptop as soon as someone connects to the Internet on it. If they trace the laptop to your home, you could be on the hook for the theft. There are a few clear signs that someone is trying to sell you a stolen device.

Instructions

1. Ask the seller directly why he is selling the laptop. If he hesitates to answer, becomes indignant, or seems annoyed by the question then that might be an indication that it's not actually his laptop and he feels uncomfortable talking about why it's available.

2. Check the retail price for the laptop with similar specifications and age online before you buy. Compare it to the price offered by the seller. If there is a significant discrepancy, such as 50 percemt or more even though it's in good condition, the seller may be trying to get rid of it quickly for dishonest reasons.

3. Consider the source. If you come across an acquaintance with a dodgy history who is suddenly selling you his laptop at a bargain basement price, use your gut instinct and common sense to decide for yourself if it's stolen before closing on the deal.

4. Check to see if there are any files still left on the laptop when you're checking it out. If the seller won't allow you to check out the laptop first or tries to pressure you to buy it for an even lower price without taking it for a test drive then it's probably "hot." If you do check the laptop and see that there are still files in the "My Documents" area or "Desktop" belonging to another party that could be an indication that the device is stolen.

5. Request the original disks that came with the software programs installed on the laptop. If he doesn't have them, it's possible that it's because it's a stolen unit. However this isn't absolute--many sellers just lose their disks over time.

6. Ask the seller detailed questions about the laptop in person or over the phone, such as as a listing of all the programs installed, whether or not the CD-ROM is a DVD player as well, and if there is an internal wireless modem inside. If it's his laptop, he'll have the answer to these questions off-hand without having to investigate or "get back to you."

Tips & Warnings

• Buy a used laptop from an established computer store instead of online classified ads or auctions if you really want to avoid buying a stolen laptop from an opportunistic seller.

References

• Forbes: About LoJack For Laptops