Why would someone want the serial number of my cell phone?

I don’t see why not. If you are still unsure, you can contact Verizon.

Is the cell phone stolen? Why did you not want to give the serial number? If you are selling a car you would also give the VIN (serial #).

The only reason not to give the serial number is because the phone is stolen.

The ebay buyer needs to verify the phone is not stolen. If he buys a stolen phone, he will not be able to activate it.

Why not ring up the manufacturer to find out what the serial no is used for…..other than registering the user.

This is the only way to cut down on stolen phones. It is a good idea.
It also protects you if your phone is ever stolen.
Don’t try “accidentally” switching digits. There is a multidigit checksum routine that is very hard to beat.

@Ben_Dover is probably right. I sold a saxophone last year back to the same store where it was purchased, and they ran a check on it using the serial number. I asked why, and they said it was to make sure it wasn’t stolen property.

Thank you all for the great information.

I hope that the cell phone is not stolen. I’m selling it for a seemingly good guy. I don’t know much about him other than he climbs mountains and is a commercial airline pilot.

My paranoia knows no bounds though as I thought of a possible reason not to give out the cell phone serial number. If I post the serial number with the ebay listing, then I wonder if someone could register that number as theirs then then quickly report it as stolen. Why would someone want to do that? Disgruntled for not “winning” the phone perhaps.

@gondwanalon Anyone attempting to register the serial number as theirs would need to be able to prove to Verizon that the phone was bought by them. they would need the receipt.