I don't know what brand or carrier the phone is so I'll just drop this here, I think it's either Verizon or sprint. My question is if the phone has a bad IMEI or esn the person didnt pay their bill on contract could I swap out the motherboard with a ATT branded mobo and start using striaght talk with it? Or I'm not exactly sure how it all works so go easy on me thanks.
Read the rules, do not ask about changing imei number.
Unfortunately, we do not allow discussions related to IMEI switching.
Thread Closed
A.cid
Forum Moderator
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and i am wondering a few things..
i have heard of some shady craigslist people selling IMEI banned phones. If i get one by chance..is it possible to change IMEI? or am i screwed with a paperweight. I have seen some RIFF-box tools claim to be able to do it, but this is a pretty new phone so I am not sure if its supported.
Will T-Mobile work with a customer that accidentally came up on a banned phone? Does t-mobile actually ENFORCE the ban on the IMEI? I know of some people that had a supposed banned IMEI and it worked just fine.
Any information will be greatly appreciated!
Rather than potentially go through all of that, try calling T-Mobile when you meet the seller and verify with them if the phone is able to used without issue and hasn't been banned.
Also, talk of hacking and changing ESN/IMEIs are not allowed in the forums.
ricky05 said:
and i am wondering a few things..
i have heard of some shady craigslist people selling IMEI banned phones. If i get one by chance..is it possible to change IMEI? or am i screwed with a paperweight. I have seen some RIFF-box tools claim to be able to do it, but this is a pretty new phone so I am not sure if its supported.
Will T-Mobile work with a customer that accidentally came up on a banned phone? Does t-mobile actually ENFORCE the ban on the IMEI? I know of some people that had a supposed banned IMEI and it worked just fine.
Any information will be greatly appreciated!
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Click to collapse
bring your sim card with you and slap it in before you hand over the cash. When I sold my Droid on Craigs List I actually met the guy at the verizon store to make sure he didn't have an issue getting it activated. Its not much to ask..
i completely understand about imei changing not allowed..
i was mostly asking if it was POSSIBLE..not how to do it really..but ok
and thanks for the reply about meeting the guy there..thats probably what I will do.
I've worked for tmobile for a long time, they do not block imei's.......that is sprint and verizon which block esn's. Your safe to buy the phone.
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using Tapatalk
You'll be fine with any GSM Carrier... Imei doesn't mean anything.
Just be sure your getting a Legitimate phone.
SmartHat said:
You'll be fine with any GSM Carrier... Imei doesn't mean anything.
Just be sure your getting a Legitimate phone.
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Click to collapse
Unless it is on their blacklist an a stolen phone.
I bought a Motorola Cliq from CraigsList about a year ago... Turns out the guy I bought it from was a T-Mobile employee who had stolen the phone. I got a phone call from someone at T-Mobile asking me about the phone. I gave them all the information I had on the guy and then asked what it all meant to me.
I was told that because I had purchased the phone legitimately and had done nothing wrong that I could keep the phone and that T-Mobile had no interest in punishing a customer for someone else being dishonest.
As someone else said, pop your SIM card in the phone when you meet and see if it works.
Make sure you check that speaker phone works. I bought mine from a guy on craigslist for 275 and the speaker didn't work. I could hear out of the phone speaker (the one in front) but not out of the one in the back (above and to the right if the HTC logo behind the phone). So just check that the phone rings, that you can hear speakerphone, and that you can hear music.
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App
ricky05 said:
i completely understand about imei changing not allowed..
i was mostly asking if it was POSSIBLE..not how to do it really..but ok
and thanks for the reply about meeting the guy there..thats probably what I will do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If u change the imei then u will have one of someone else phone.
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App
Can't the guy just report it stolen after you put your sim in to see if it works? This is the main thing stopping me from getting a G2 or Nexus on Craigslist. Will everything be perfect if it works when you put in your sim?
I would ask the seller to email the IMEI to me, and verify it with TMo. If all is good, double check it when you meet with the dude and you should be OK.
djsinco said:
I would ask the seller to email the IMEI to me, and verify it with TMo. If all is good, double check it when you meet with the dude and you should be OK.
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Click to collapse
Thanks for the response!
but even after checking the imei with tmobile, couldn't he just write down the imei number and report it stolen after I check it with the sim and buy it?
The concern to me is that the seller stole it. you could have TMo document the IMEI search in your notes, that and a printout of the CL post would cover you.
Youll be ok. I've never hear TMo blacklist any phones...even ones that were reported lost/stolen.
You bought it...just keep records of all your interactions with the seller.
Posted from my HTC Vision via XDA App
I have purchased and sold numerous phones over Craigslist.
I would recommend that you meet in an area that is well-lit and very PUBLIC. I typically try to meet at a coffee shop or something. I have heard of horror stories in my area about people setting up robberies through CL so be careful and aware of your surroundings.
Spend a few minutes using the phone... I.E. make a test phone call, send a text message, test sound output, etc. If the seller is not okay waiting a few minutes while you do these things, hand them the phone back and find a different seller. If there is nothing to hide, this process is reasonable.
Thanks for all the responses guys but my main concern is with the imei number. What is a sure way to know that it will not be blocked later on by a person?
Bbe1367 said:
I've worked for tmobile for a long time, they do not block imei's.......that is sprint and verizon which block esn's. Your safe to buy the phone.
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
There is nothing you can do to prevent a seller from calling customer service and giving them the IMEI saying that its stolen, BUT that doesn't have any impact on you.
ESN's are used on CDMA phones and those can be blocked to prevent service reaching a device. IMEI's do not work the same way. Regardless of whether or not the phone is reported as stolen, it would continue to work.
Just keep a record of your communication with the seller in case he tries to scam you down the road saying you stole it from him, but that is highly unlikely. Just be sure to check the device and make sure everything is working.
I take a gun with me when I go pay/pick up my item.
johnnyham89 said:
Thanks for all the responses guys but my main concern is with the imei number. What is a sure way to know that it will not be blocked later on by a person?
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Click to collapse
T-mobile DOES NOT block IMEI numbers AT ALL,
Sprint and Verizon use CDMA networks, hence you have to give them your ESN number.... which they CAN block.
Since you are with T-Mobile... this scenario DOES NOT, I repeat DOES NOT apply to you.
just be careful about the phone itself, Making sure EVERYTHING works fine, scratches, dings.
Like somenone said... if there is nothing to hide than he WILL wait for you to test out the phone until you are satisfied. Meeting in a coffee shop or a public spot will do you good!
Lets say Im selling a phone and someone wants to check if the esn is clear for themselves and I give it to them.
Can they take that number and do something to "steal" it and put it on another device?
just curious.
Im assuming no but im not entirely sure so I figured I would just ask
No its tied to phone so its safe.
I thought people could clone phones???
Sent from my LG-P999 using xda premium
Yes it can be done. Never give your ESN out. IF they want to check it out meet up at a retailer.
Verizon told me that you can give esn and no harm can come off it..maybe its a cdma thing?
zelendel said:
Yes it can be done. Never give your ESN out. IF they want to check it out meet up at a retailer.
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Click to collapse
This is good advice. One more thing: You can simply call customer service for Verizon/Sprint and ask that a particular ESN(or MEID) is clear, and in doing so, have the rep to make a note in your account that you called on a certain date & time with that particlar ESN(or MEID). This will protect you, as it becomes documented that someone inquired about the ESN(or MEID) if later it's discovered they attempted to steal it.
yes it can be stolen, as long as that esn is not active on an account. All you need is the esn to put that phone into an account
kidFromBigD said:
This is good advice. One more thing: You can simply call customer service for Verizon/Sprint and ask that a particular ESN(or MEID) is clear, and in doing so, have the rep to make a note in your account that you called on a certain date & time with that particlar ESN(or MEID). This will protect you, as it becomes documented that someone inquired about the ESN(or MEID) if later it's discovered they attempted to steal it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In reference to that, there is a website called http://www.checkesnfree.com
You can check any ESN for free and fast. I do business on CL regularly and it has never failed me.
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Thread moved. Would advise you to read forum rules and post in correct section.
Failure to comply with forum rules will result in an infraction and/or ban depending on severity of rule break.
Unfortunately I bought a One X from someone off CL that has a bad IMEI. My account got suspended as soon as I activated the phone. Im out of contract and wondering if I can unlock the phone and use it on Tmob? If not, Im just going to sell it for parts. I will no longer be buying cell phones of CL.
It might. The best way is to borrow a friend who has a T-Mobile phone and stick their SIM in your phone.
eezeekial said:
Unfortunately I bought a One X from someone off CL that has a bad IMEI. My account got suspended as soon as I activated the phone. Im out of contract and wondering if I can unlock the phone and use it on Tmob? If not, Im just going to sell it for parts. I will no longer be buying cell phones of CL.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it was probably already blacklisted and tagged as stolen in AT&T's database,
try to call at&t and prove the ownership of the said phone,
and we'll reactivate it right away
AS I know You cann`t use it in USA, but you can sold it to another country where AT&T is out of service.
Just change out the IMEI
eezeekial said:
Unfortunately I bought a One X from someone off CL that has a bad IMEI. My account got suspended as soon as I activated the phone. Im out of contract and wondering if I can unlock the phone and use it on Tmob? If not, Im just going to sell it for parts. I will no longer be buying cell phones of CL.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just change out the IMEI number so it is not blacklisted. It is not illegal in the United States, and if any moron tells you it is ask him for the link to the law. You will not find one. I got mine fixed on ebay from a company called kingpin unlockers. It cost me 60 dollars and they did it remotely in less than 30 minutes. Remotely, yes i did not have to send my phone in anywhere. Just go to ebay and copy and paste the following text in the search box:
Bad IMEI ESN repair service Samsung T-MOBILE Galaxy S4 S 4 IV M919 Blacklisted
They do both att and tmobile and also do note 2 and s3 imei changes remotely.
boredndsm3 said:
Just change out the IMEI number so it is not blacklisted. It is not illegal in the United States, and if any moron tells you it is ask him for the link to the law. You will not find one. I got mine fixed on ebay from a company called kingpin unlockers. It cost me 60 dollars and they did it remotely in less than 30 minutes. Remotely, yes i did not have to send my phone in anywhere. Just go to ebay and copy and paste the following text in the search box:
Bad IMEI ESN repair service Samsung T-MOBILE Galaxy S4 S 4 IV M919 Blacklisted
They do both att and tmobile and also do note 2 and s3 imei changes remotely.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow thats good information. thanks.
boredndsm3 said:
Just change out the IMEI number so it is not blacklisted. It is not illegal in the United States, and if any moron tells you it is ask him for the link to the law. You will not find one. I got mine fixed on ebay from a company called kingpin unlockers. It cost me 60 dollars and they did it remotely in less than 30 minutes. Remotely, yes i did not have to send my phone in anywhere. Just go to ebay and copy and paste the following text in the search box:
Bad IMEI ESN repair service Samsung T-MOBILE Galaxy S4 S 4 IV M919 Blacklisted
They do both att and tmobile and also do note 2 and s3 imei changes remotely.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are very wrong. Do not spread bad info. The GSM cloning laws are very strict. Also this topic is banned from XDA
There's closed
Wayne Tech Nexus
I bought a brand new Samsung galaxy S5 from a guy that comes with the receipt. Everything seemed legit, but when I got home I figured out the phone is actually blacklisted. So I contacted VIRGIN MOBILE , they said they cannot help me even if I have the receipt because the guy probably didn't pay his bills or took the phone using someone else's identification. They told me the only way I can fix this issue is by hacking the phone. That's why I am here, I need your help to repair my IMEI number or at least suggest me what should I do.
Phone: Samsung Galaxy S5
Model: SM-G900W8
Android:4.4.2
Thank you!
I cannot believe a telecom provider recommended you to hack a phone, which is illegal and criminal btw.
No one will help you with your problem as these kind of discussions are forbidden on XDA.
I`am sorry you got scammed, file a police report against the guy that sold you the phone.
Its better that you remove this thread before one of the mods closes it.
Your recourse is against the seller who apparently defrauded you. As the poster above noted, this forum doesn't condone threads talking about manipulating IMEI numbers and if a moderator sees your post, no doubt the thread will be closed, etc, etc.
This is the wrong forum to talk about IMEI changes. As you've been a member since 2011 you should know that. Or would if you read even a handful of forum threads. Try to recover from the seller e.g. make a credit card dispute, Paypal claim, stop payment on your cheque, police report, etc as appropriate. If you are unable to recover from the seller, you may end up selling the phone for parts on Ebay or something.
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fffft said:
Your recourse is against the seller who apparently defrauded you. As the poster above noted, this forum doesn't condone threads talking about manipulating IMEI numbers and if a moderator sees your post, no doubt the thread will be closed, etc, etc.
This is the wrong forum to talk about IMEI changes. As you've been a member since 2011 you should know that. Or would if you read even a handful of forum threads. Try to recover from the seller e.g. make a credit card dispute, Paypal claim, stop payment on your cheque, police report, etc as appropriate. If you are unable to recover from the seller, you may end up selling the phone for parts on Ebay or something.
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sellers of this kind only want cash mate, no receipts or official payments that reveils their identity.
ishtiak90 said:
I bought a brand new Samsung galaxy S5 from a guy that comes with the receipt. Everything seemed legit, but when I got home I figured out the phone is actually blacklisted. So I contacted VIRGIN MOBILE , they said they cannot help me even if I have the receipt because the guy probably didn't pay his bills or took the phone using someone else's identification. They told me the only way I can fix this issue is by hacking the phone. That's why I am here, I need your help to repair my IMEI number or at least suggest me what should I do.
Phone: Samsung Galaxy S5
Model: SM-G900W8
Android:4.4.2
Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well Sir, two parts here....
1) I find it hard to believe a carrier would pass this type of information along, not saying they did not say this, but this is something not normal.
2) Additionally this is illegal, as in this is fraud. And if it was me I would take the device and receipt to the Carrier and explain to them your issue. If they want your business they will work with you, if what you say is true, on how you came about this device.
And with those two parts, this type of question/discussions of fraud are not allowed on XDA. Thread Closed and Thanks.
Hello, I'll get straight to the point, I have a galaxy S5 that was reported stolen so I couldn't use it, so I changed the IMEI (At least that's what it says) and I was wondering if I can call my service provider and give he them the new IMEI, will that work?
P.s. I didn't know it was reported stolen when I bought it & I have service bars just not 4G LTE.
Sorry mate....nobody on XDA is going to help you achieve this as changing imei is illegal....
A stolen phone is a stolen phone whether you purchased it in good faith or not, so if I were you, I'd have to consider cutting my losses and handing the phone along with the seller's details over to the police and moving on.....
Thread closed.
XDA does not allow discussion of illegal activity.