mi1av0ng

So wonderful! Someone stole my BRAND NEW laptop, in fact, I never even got to see it, because it was stolen out of the mail holding room. I live in a highrise complex, and if I'm not home when the package is being delivered then the carrier leaves it with the front desk. In turn the front desk attendant logs the package and leaves the package in a LOCKED mail holding room, and in order to retrieve a package you must present I.D. and sign for the package.

So the story goes like this, I arrive home to see a package slip inside my mailbox, its my brand new laptop (I know this because I crossed check the tracking number on UPS website). When I go to the front desk (the slip says the carrier left it with the front desk) to retrieve my package, its not there... The front desk attendant checks the mail log in sheet, and there it is, a package logged in with my name and apartment number next to today's date. But the package is gone... the mail room is locked at all times, but anyone who works at the highrise complex has access, from the janitor to the property manager. But here is the catch... there are no cameras in the mail room, rediculous. So my package was dropped off today at 11:28AM and I attempted to pick it up today at 11:15PM so thats about a 12 hour time frame that my brand new laptop was stolen. The property manager says she is going to question everyone that worked a shift within that time frame to see if someone say anything (I doubt anyone did or cares enough to say anything).

I know there are a lot of computer gurus here, and I know the property manager isn't going to do anything, and the police could care less about a stolen laptop. So I want to know, is there anyway I can trace my laptop if by chance this person is going to use it, instead of sell it for some quick cash? The computer was stolen brand new from the manufacture, so I'm thinking if this person is stupid enough to log onto the internet can an IP address be captured by a software vendor like Microsoft when the thief registers software? Or when the computer downloads security updates from Microsoft? I know this is a long shot, because it is brand new and isn't preloaded with any tracing software, but I'd figure I'd try.

Any help is greatly appreciated, but I'm probably screwed aren't I? Heh... at least it was only a Dell. Sorry about the long post but cliff notes below, I'm just pissed because UPS isn't taking fault because the package was handed off and signed for, Dell says too bad we can't help you nor will be replace or reimburse you, and the property manager says that they are not liable for anything stolen or damaged on the property, that includes the underground parking garage, storage rooms, or mail room (I looked its in the lease agreement).


- Some employee that works at the highrise complex I live at stole my BRAND NEW computer straight from the mail room (I never even got to see it).
- Everyone that works at the highrise complex has access into the mail room, but there is no camera in the room, and the package was stolen within a 12 hour time frame.
- I know the property manager and the police don't care and probably aren't going to do anything.
- I want to know if there is any possible way to trace the laptop if it logs onto the internet, even if it doesn't have a tracing software loaded.
- No one is taking fault, UPS says not our problem we handed off the package with a signature, Dell says too bad we can't help you nor will we replace or reimburse you, and property manager says they aren't liable for anything (on the lease agreement).

Edit: I just realized... since they stole the 'package' that contained the laptop... this employee that works at the highrise stole mail... which is a federal crime, so I'm going to see if I can use that as leverage of threatening to report it to a U.S. Postal Inspector to get the property manager to actually take this seriously. I'm sure there are more important things to a Postal Inspector then looking for a stolen package that contained a laptop, so I'm not really going to report it, more of an empty threat then anything.

B

it's on the apt. complex. someone had to sign for it. once it's signed for, it's out of fedex's hands and the store you got it from hands.

they will find it, or they have a legal obligation to buy you a new one. I'd wait no longer than 48 hours for them to do something (tuesday night). if they have no leads and no laptop, demand order of a new one or threaten mail fraud lawsuit on the property manager.

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whiterabbit06

^x2
Although it is something the apt complex does just as a courtesy they also have a responsibility when they do that to make sure you get the package. Especially for packages you have to sign for.

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Airjockie

A mention that your local news station will be informed, they normally have nothing better to do anyways, and tell them that your going to look into contacting the states attorney general....and say that their office (the AG) has helped you once before on another dispute. .....

Put the fear of public slander in their veins...and corporate malice falls...

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mi1av0ng

Thanks for the info guys, I got it taken care of, the property manager says that they are ordering me a new laptop, and this months rent is free!

I went down to the front desk this morning to see if they got any information, they said 'no' (which I suspected they would). I told the front desk attendant I wanted to see the property manager (she lives on site, its a stipulation for being a property manager with this company) but she wasn't home. So I said 'you need to tell the property manager that a federal crime happened here, and if it is not corrected by Wednesday, I'm going to involve the USPIS, and someone is going to be charged with theft of mail which is up to 5 years in federal prison, and possibly a hefty fine.'

... I got a call at about 5:30PM, its the property manager, she says that she will have a new laptop ordered for me (I need to tell them which model I ordered) and this months rent is free. Pretty fast turn around time I must say, the property manager knows that I work for the DHS so I can make things happen pretty quick. Anyways thank you everyone for your input, and I guess the thief got a brand new laptop, I still wish I could figure out who took it.

eg6sir

time to get a better laptop... lol

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whiterabbit06

^ LMAO, Yea get an Alienware or something really good.

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If you ever find anything I write usefull please leave rep.

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efalex

getttaaa del.. ftw

B

ship it somewhere else

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95b16coupe

have it shipped to where you work.

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corvetteguy78

Question...who did you order it from? Once windows is activated cant they trace the serial # off the laptop and trace it to your purchase?

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mi1av0ng

Haha! I thought about that, but the property manager asked to see the order confirmation.

That's what I planned on, I talked to the field office director and he says I can have it shipped to the office (usually only 'official' mail, no personal mail is allowed into the building). So there's no chance of it getting lost or stolen here, cameras everywhere and enough armed personnel to occupy a small country.

That's what I was thinking, but wouldn't the thief have to log onto the internet to do something like that?

Battle Pope

Well, if they use the laptop, after first boot it has to be activated within 30 days either through online activation or over the phone. I don't really know if the OS locks up at that point (never waited past the 30 days).

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