![]() ![]() The company also says they will update the database more often with detailed information on each phone turned in.Ĭolumbus police continue to investigate each stolen cell phone case. We have changed our policy to hold all phones collected in Columbus to be held for 42 days instead of our standard thirty." In response, ecoATM wrote 10TV the following: "We have heard the Columbus police mention these delays. “Often times, we have requested the information from ecoATM, but often time, the phone is shipped overseas,” says Commander Meader.Ĭommander Meader says the phones are shipped before they can ever be checked to see if they're stolen. While cities in other states are working to ban them, Columbus police say, for the time being, they're doing the best they can to track the crime. Nichols says he doesn't know if his phone is now in one of these kiosks, but he says, “if it is, it shouldn't be allowed.” For over 20 years, WIRELESSWAVE has been the go-to destination for best wireless services and cell phone plans in Canada, a wide range of smartphone selection. “I was rather angry, to say the least, because I work for mine and I don't see why people can't do the same,” says theft victim, Stanley Nicholson. He says several days ago, someone broke into his car and stole his cell phone Reynoldsburg resident Stanley Nicholson says he was a victim of a similar crime. Thieves can then go a matter of feet inside the stores with the ecoATMs to turn these stolen cell phones, into quick cash. on month they offer more money than in store, carrier or kiosk machine trade ins. Police fear, it's as easy as leaving your cell phone in your car, as you run inside one of the stores to go shopping, only to return and find your cell phone missing. Compare trade-in quotes from leading buyback stores and sell your cell. Police also say 18% of the people who used the ecoATMs in that timeframe are convicted thieves. Nine percent of 1100 cell phones checked, which means Columbus police found that 99 cell phones were stolen. What we found out, in a three month period, is that 9%, we can confirm, is stolen,” says Columbus Police Commander Robert Meader. “EcoATM makes the claim that less than 1% of the phones turned into ecoATMs are stolen. The kiosk system is marketed as a safe, eco-friendly way to get rid of your old cell phones and make some money, but police say it is also a hot-spot for thieves. The company says they are trying to stop people from turning in stolen cell phones by requiring people to scan their ID at the kiosk, with a live person looking on, but Columbus police says it is not working.Ĭolumbus police say they sent in a man to use a woman's ID at the ecoATM, and they say the machine still turned the phone into cash. The Walmart on Stringtown Rd in Grove City, the Walmart on Georgesville Rd in Columbus, one at Easton Town Center, two at the Eastland Mall, and two at The Mall at Tuttle Crossing. Results of a three month long investigation by Columbus police show that kiosks that are marketed as 'eco-friendly' are only making things worse.Įco-ATM's, as they're called, have expanded to seven locations across the Columbus area. ![]()
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