Direct answer
A red flag is evidence that the person you are paying is not the person who can deliver the lot you wrote down. Mismatched legal names, personal accounts, refusal to inspect, and “we can unlock after payment” are first-order stops. A low price is not a counter-argument.
Key takeaways
- Identity mismatch beats a good unit price.
- Urgency is not a commercial term.
- Bypass tools and IMEI-change talk are Reject.
- A warehouse video is not a sample you chose.
- One flag is Clarify. Two identity flags are Reject.
Red flags are cheaper to read than a missing carton. Use this page after verification, not instead of it.
Who this guide is for
Buyers on a first transfer, or on a larger transfer to a new counterparty. It is not a consumer scam-news roundup.
Hard stops on a first order
| Signal | Why it matters | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Invoice name ≠ account name | You may be paying a stranger | Reject until fixed |
| Personal account for a company lot | Same | Reject |
| Full prepay, no inspection | You lose the only check | Reject |
| “We remove iCloud / MDM / blacklist” | Apple says not to take an owner-locked device. GSMA flags are network facts, not seller magic | Reject |
| “We can change IMEI” | Identity fraud, not QC | Reject |
| Refuses a packing list | You cannot compare the lot | Reject |
Clarify, then decide
| Signal | Clarify with | Still Reject if |
|---|---|---|
| Only WhatsApp, no papers | Registration and invoice pack | Papers never arrive |
| Warehouse video | You pick carton or IMEI | They will not let you choose |
| “Shipping included” | Incoterm and place | No named place |
| Huge discount after delay | Recast the RFQ | Fields still empty |
| New domain, old logo | Legal name match | Names still drift |
What is not automatically a flag
- A small trial MOQ.
- A young company with matching documents.
- A higher price with a complete RFQ.
- Refusal to discuss OEM, custom ROM, or MDM deployment. Those jobs are out of scope here.
How to use the list
- Run the four name matches on the verification page.
- Tick flags on this page.
- Score the counterparty on the supplier scorecard.
- If you still buy, shrink quantity and keep inspection rights.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Is a new company automatically a red flag?
No. A new company with matching papers, a matching account, and a sample you choose can be a trial. A new company that will only take full prepayment is a stop.
What if the seller offers a bigger discount after I hesitate?
Recheck the unmatched fields. A discount does not fill an RFQ or fix a payee name.
Sources and methodology
- Activation Lock for iPhone and iPad — Apple Support Accessed August 22, 2026.
- GSMA Device Check FAQs — GSMA Accessed August 22, 2026.
- Know Your Incoterms — U.S. International Trade Administration Accessed August 22, 2026.
Update history
- — First published. Official sources on this page were accessed on this date unless a later note says otherwise.
Factual corrections after publication are listed on the corrections page. There is no separate reviewer identity on this desk. See the editorial policy.