Steps to handle a purchased Amazon Kindle suspected to be lost or stolen:
In the world of e-readers, the Kindle is a popular choice for many. However, when purchasing a used Kindle from third-party sellers, it's essential to exercise caution to avoid buying a lost or stolen device.
Firstly, an error message stating that the password is invalid will appear when trying to log in to a lost or stolen Kindle. This should serve as a red flag. Additionally, if repeated denial of login details occurs, it may further indicate a problem.
To update a lost or stolen Kindle to the latest firmware, the process must be done manually. However, factory resetting a lost or stolen Kindle over USB and upgrading it to the latest firmware will not help in this situation, as the device will still be blacklisted.
Amazon sells older Kindle models directly on their own website as renewed or refurbished. Purchasing from an official Amazon outlet like WOOT can be safer. On the other hand, buying a Kindle from eBay requires checking the seller's history and reading reviews.
If a Kindle has been flagged as lost or stolen, Amazon cannot take any action. If the device has been blacklisted, it will be impossible to log in and buy e-books from the Amazon bookstore. Books will need to be sideloaded using a USB cable or a third-party program, such as Calibre.
To identify if a used Kindle has been flagged as lost or stolen before purchasing, the only reliable method is to contact Amazon directly and provide the Kindle’s serial number to check its blacklist status. You can call Amazon customer service at 1-888-280-4364 to confirm if the device is blacklisted.
Pawnshops may exchange a blacklisted Kindle for another similar model, but may not offer refunds. In-person purchases from Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace may not have readily apparent tail-tail signs. Be cautious buying on these platforms, where refund options are limited if the Kindle is blacklisted.
Few documented cases of Kindle theft have been reported since 2014 in Canada and the United States. However, the risk of buying a used Kindle that has been blacklisted is low, but common sense should be used.
In summary, calling Amazon using the Kindle’s serial number to verify blacklist status before purchasing is the best way to avoid buying a lost or stolen Kindle. Without an Amazon account, you can only use a lost or stolen Kindle as a dedicated e-reader. Local dealers, such as pawn shops, can be easier to deal with, but require keeping a receipt. Your only option is to try to contact the person from whom you bought it and attempt to get a refund, but this is rarely possible on websites such as Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace.
The first sentence is: "Despite the uncommon occurrence of Kindle theft since 2014 in Canada and the United States, it's vital to use common sense when buying a used Kindle to avoid purchasing a lost or stolen one."
The second sentence is: "Avoid attempting to update a lost or stolen Kindle's firmware, as factory resetting and subsequent firmware updates won't remove it from the blacklist."
