19/09/2026
Don't sell your old cell phones to street vendors ????????
It is highly risky to sell your old or damaged mobile phones to street street vendors, regardless of the price. Even if a phone is completely smashed, dead, or won't turn on, the data inside the storage chips remains intact and can be recovered by bad actors.
Selling your devices this way exposes you to severe privacy, financial, and legal dangers.🚩
The Major Risks Involved
1. Identity Theft and Data Recovery:
Even if you have deleted your files or performed a factory reset, advanced data recovery software can easily extract your old photos, videos, bank details, and passwords from the phone's internal storage chip.
2. Criminal Misuse (IMEI Tracking):
Every phone has a unique IMEI number. If a street vendor repairs the phone and sells it to someone who uses it for illegal activities (like scams, harassment, or extortion), the police will track the phone back to you because the original purchase bill or SIM registration is tied to your identity.
3. Access to Logged-in Accounts:
If the phone can be turned on, buyers might bypass simple lock screens to access your WhatsApp, Google Account, or social media, allowing them to impersonate you or blackmail your contacts.
Be alert
Be secure
