Woman's Lost Phone Found in ecoATM Kiosk

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Erin Liu, a Colorado resident, lost her $1,200 iPhone while visiting Grand Junction over Labor Day weekend. After realizing it was missing, her husband used the Find My app to track the phone to a nearby Walmart. Police discovered the phone had been sold to an ecoATM kiosk for just $20. The man who sold the phone claimed he found it on the street, but did not report it missing. While ecoATM claims to be secure against theft, an investigation found hundreds of police reports in Colorado related to stolen phones being sold at their kiosks.

Why it matters

This case highlights the potential risks of automated electronics recycling kiosks, which can be exploited by thieves looking to quickly cash in on stolen devices. It also raises questions about ecoATM's security measures and procedures for verifying ownership of phones, as well as the challenges victims face in retrieving their lost or stolen property.

The details

Erin Liu realized her phone was missing after stopping for lunch at a restaurant in Grand Junction. Her husband used the Find My app to track the phone to a nearby Walmart, where police discovered it had been sold to an ecoATM kiosk for just $20. The man who sold the phone claimed he found it on the street, but did not report it missing. While ecoATM claims to have security measures in place, including requiring a photo ID and thumbprint, an investigation found hundreds of police reports in Colorado related to stolen phones being sold at their kiosks.

• On Labor Day weekend, Erin Liu lost her phone while visiting Grand Junction.
• Shortly after, her husband used the Find My app to track the phone to a nearby Walmart.

What they’re saying

What’s next

ecoATM has banned the man who sold Liu's phone from using their platform again. The company says it holds devices at its warehouse for at least 30 days in case they are proven to be stolen, and returns them to the rightful owner free of charge.