Apple Release Tool To Help You Check if iPhone is Stolen Before You Buy

Everyone loves a bargain, but if you're forking over hard-earned cash for a second-hand iPhone, you may have some concerns about the amount of suspect-looking sales on offer. 

Now, Apple has released a tool that is set to help would-be buyers verify whether or not a used phone has been remotely locked down by its previous owner.

As long as you have the IMEI or serial number of the iPhone, you can used either number using Apple's new Check Activation Lock Status. The service will tell you whether or not the device is activation locked.

The release makes it harder for thieves to sell phones on, recovering some of the ground lost since hackers figured out a way to get past the activation lock screen long enough to sell to an unsuspecting buyer.