Selling Your Phone or Laptop? Here’s How to Avoid Identity Theft

It’s become second nature to upgrade your phone or laptop every few years. Sometimes even more often. Whether it’s to afford a newer model, cover an unexpected expense, or just clear out some drawer space, selling your old tech can feel like a quick win. But there’s a not-so-obvious danger that too many people ignore: identity theft.

That sleek little device may seem like an empty shell once you’ve deleted a few apps and photos. In reality, it can still contain enough personal information to hand over the keys to your entire digital life: bank accounts, social media profiles, email logins, even your GPS location history. And once your data is gone, there’s no getting it back.

If you’re planning to sell a phone, laptop, or tablet, it’s crucial to do more than a quick delete. You need to take intentional, thorough steps to make sure your personal information is completely wiped, and that you’re not unintentionally giving a scammer everything they need to become you online.

Why Selling Your Device Can Put Your Identity at Risk

Your devices are more than communication tools, they’re deeply connected to your life. Phones especially have evolved into the command centers of our personal and financial worlds. They remember where we’ve been, what we’ve searched, what we’ve bought, and who we’ve talked to. Laptops are no different, especially if you’ve used them for work or stored files locally.

Even if you think you’ve deleted the important stuff, remnants of your data can still linger if the device isn’t reset properly. What’s worse: many devices stay tied to your accounts (Apple ID, Google, Microsoft, etc.) unless you manually sign out, even after a factory reset. That leaves a door open for someone to walk right into your iCloud, Gmail, or Microsoft account and start poking around, or worse, taking over.

Some resale buyers even specialize in harvesting leftover data from devices they purchase. It’s not always obvious or malicious. Sometimes it’s opportunistic. But in the wrong hands, even a single saved login or synced email can lead to stolen identities, drained bank accounts, or blackmailed social profiles.

How to Properly Prepare a Device Before You Sell

If you’re determined to sell your old tech, there’s a safe way to do it. But it’s not a one-click process. Protecting yourself means following a series of steps to ensure your data is gone, your accounts are disconnected, and the buyer is getting nothing more than hardware.

First, start by backing up everything you might want to keep. Whether you’re saving photos to the cloud, exporting contacts, or syncing notes, make sure nothing important gets lost in the process. A factory reset is a one-way trip. If it’s gone, it’s gone.

Next, manually sign out of all your accounts. This includes not just your email and social apps, but your Apple ID, Google account, or Microsoft profile. Devices that are still linked to cloud accounts can be remotely accessed (or worse, locked) by someone else later. Logging out ensures the device is no longer authorized to access your digital ecosystem.

Once that’s done, you’ll want to perform a full factory reset. This is not the same as deleting files or uninstalling apps. A proper factory reset wipes the device’s memory and returns it to its original out-of-the-box state. On iPhones and iPads, you’ll find this under “Erase All Content and Settings.” On Android devices, it’s under “Factory Data Reset.” For laptops, both macOS and Windows have built-in system reset tools designed for this exact purpose.

After the reset, power the device back on and verify that it starts from the initial setup screen, with no traces of your info. Double-check that your name, email, or photos aren’t anywhere to be found. And don’t forget to remove any SIM cards or memory cards before you hand it off. You’d be surprised how many people overlook that final step.

Don’t Sell It at All

Here’s the twist: in many cases, you don’t even need to sell your device to get the cash you need. If you’re facing a financial emergency or just need a little extra money, there’s a safer option that lets you unlock the value of your phone or laptop without giving it up or risking your data.

That’s exactly what BuckUp offers. Instead of permanently parting with your device, BuckUp lets you get instant cash based on your device’s value. You keep using it, you don’t have to wipe it, and you get up to 30 days to repay. No credit check, no strings attached. Most people repay within a few weeks, never paying more than what they borrowed. It’s the smarter alternative for anyone who needs money now without giving up their digital life.

It’s ideal for situations where you’re short on rent, dealing with car trouble, or just need a cushion between paychecks, but don’t want to risk handing your entire identity to a stranger just to make it through the week.

Don’t Trade Your Data for Dollars

Selling a phone or laptop can seem like easy money, but it’s not worth the risk if your personal information isn’t fully removed. Identity theft is a silent, invisible problem that can take months (or years) to undo.

So before you post that listing, think about whether the short-term cash is worth the long-term risk. And if you still need a financial boost, consider a safer path.

Your phone may not be brand-new anymore, but with BuckUp, it can still come through for you, without putting your privacy on the line.