I want to buy a USED Iphone 5, how do I know that it's safe to buy?

Looking on craigslist and see many people are selling iphone 5 for a great price. Problem is, I heard many people buy an iphone and phone locks up within a couple of days and finds out it is reported as stolen. Not sure if this is true, but what can I do to check or anyway of transferring the name over to me (in case one day I lose it myself)?

I apologize if I sound completely clueless about all this, and also please don't go into bashing the iphone 5. You have your preferences and I have mine (Ex. Iphone is not too chunky like the others). But yea, help me?

Use eBay and just buy off people with 100% positive feedback

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