Current Events > What can someone do with a console's serial number?

(+) Yeah! (+)

I'm selling my Switch and I've had exchanges with a few different people who are interested. Each have asked for the serial number and I've given it to them.

I know this is probably a normal part of selling a device, more than likely to check warranty. But could it be used to a more nefarious end?

Someone could brick it by calling Nintendo and claiming that it's stolen, causing it to lose access to online functionality. At least, that's what I've read when researching the subject.
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I don't know about anything nefarious, but I used it once to track down my ps3 after it was stolen and pawned
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But surely that could be fixed with a call to Nintendo, explaining the situation?

If they have an existing console that is banned from going online they can modify the kernel with another valid s/n and spoof Nintendo into thinking its your console instead except yours will get banned as soon as you try to take it online.

Should have asked before giving it to them.

gafemaqs posted...

But surely that could be fixed with a call to Nintendo, explaining the situation?

If you can prove you bought it. Nintendo isn't known for being friendly to customers.

It's pretty much worthless now, I'll take it off your hands for $50 though since I don't play online Nintendo games.
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Alucard188 posted...

Someone could brick it by calling Nintendo and claiming that it's stolen, causing it to lose access to online functionality. At least, that's what I've read when researching the subject.

Came to post this. It is true of any console since the 360 AFAIK.
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