I have the same problem with a 8320, I bought it in Miami and when I activayte the BB inmediately begin to receive mail from the old user, I've contacted by email and she told that she returned the phone because was broken, I discovered that the backlight of the keyboard don't work, I returned to the store and get a new 8320 (I hope it)
Your cell provider sold you a returned phone that was malfunctioning? Ouch, man would I be angry.