Database Users

I think I may have bought my girlfriend a stolen HD2...

My gf's old phone broke, and I found a cheap HD2 on craigslist. I went ahead and bought it from the guy. He seemed ok, maybe a LITTLE shady. When I brought it home and told her how I got it, she became worried that if we put her sim card into it, and it IS stolen, a red flag will show up at T-mobile and she might get into trouble.
Is there any way T-mobile can tell who has the phone if it IS stolen? Also, if she ever has to send it in for a replacement through warranty, will she be screwed? I know I shouldn't have bought it off of Craigslist, but it's too late for that now...

Well, you could always call T-Mobile and ask them if it was reported stolen ....
Don't think they will call the police on you , If you tell them you are going to , but I bet they will want to take your name, just in case ...

Lol this whole thread seems shady as hell.
Sounds like the OP might be trying to fish answers for his own endeavors...

lol, i know. it sounds pretty bad, but i assure you, that's not the case.

they can tell if it's stolen. they can tell if more than one person has the same IMEI number. whoever was using the phone will have that IMEI on their account, and if your gf puts her sim card in it, they will be able to see the IMEI from the phone. that's done on purpose, so that if someone does report a stolen phone, and the IMEI turns up on another account, they can flag it. however if it was not reported stolen, then there isn't much they can do as they don't know whether or not the original owner sold it to you or a shady guy on craigslist sold it to you, so reporting to the authorities would be pointless for them, as it may have been a legal transaction. as for calling them, they're probably not going to give you the info if that IMEI is registered in their system, they may not even tell you if it is. but if it has been reported stolen, and the IMEI shows up under a different account it will probably be flagged, I'm not sure what would happen at that point. More than likely rather than calling the authorities they'll just cut off the service to the phone.

Try a prepaid sim card and see if it was IMEI blocked?

well, we put her sim card in it and nothing has happened so far. i suppose it was legit.

If you got it with box, supplies and cables its very low chance that it stolen. Actual price in my local craiglist is really low, but it doesn't mean that most of all are stollen

tmobile dont care if the phone stolen or not. it doesnt really matter.

Slash8915 said:
My gf's old phone broke, and I found a cheap HD2 on craigslist. I went ahead and bought it from the guy. He seemed ok, maybe a LITTLE shady. When I brought it home and told her how I got it, she became worried that if we put her sim card into it, and it IS stolen, a red flag will show up at T-mobile and she might get into trouble.
Is there any way T-mobile can tell who has the phone if it IS stolen? Also, if she ever has to send it in for a replacement through warranty, will she be screwed? I know I shouldn't have bought it off of Craigslist, but it's too late for that now...
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If that were possible I would like to think they would have told me when my TouchPro2 got stolen... The fact that they didn't mention anything like that leads me to believe they can't tell just by the sim card.

i buy/sell phones on craigslist almost weekly and put my sim in all of them
when i call t-mobile to change the internet plan they always ask me where i bought the phone. i always say from t-mobile and they never say anything about it. guess they cant really tell

hope this helps
Slash8915 said:
My gf's old phone broke, and I found a cheap HD2 on craigslist. I went ahead and bought it from the guy. He seemed ok, maybe a LITTLE shady. When I brought it home and told her how I got it, she became worried that if we put her sim card into it, and it IS stolen, a red flag will show up at T-mobile and she might get into trouble.
Is there any way T-mobile can tell who has the phone if it IS stolen? Also, if she ever has to send it in for a replacement through warranty, will she be screwed? I know I shouldn't have bought it off of Craigslist, but it's too late for that now...
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Hi,
I'm not in the US but i always purchase phones from US and UK on ebay.
Always when i buy phones which are doubt to be stolen or reported as stolen i use this site www.checkmend.com.
They are even recommended by ebay. They claim to have a connection to a database that has all the information on Mobile Phones, Laptops, GPS navigators, etc. Which they can track by the serial number.
In your case you will need to provide them with the IMEI number of your phone and they will give a report on the status of the phone and past owners if they are registered. (they send this report by email instantly. they charge you USD 2.99 for this service. i thinks its quite worth than the risk.)
in my experience I've tried this service twice and a HD that i bought from the UK was returned with a report that said "This item has been blocked during its lifetime by one or more UK network(s)." which means it was reported lost or stolen.
and i even tried my HD2 which i'm using currently which i got from US cos i didn't get any box or accessory with it. But the report came out clear and i am in peace of mind.
Hope this helps.

ruwan7 said:
in my experience I've tried this service twice and a HD that i bought from the UK was returned with a report that said "This item has been blocked during its lifetime by one or more UK network(s)." which means it was reported lost or stolen.
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usefull site. does it give any detail? i blocked my last phone thinking i'd lost it, 4 weeks later it turned up in a friends sofa, so i had them un block it and used it for another 18months.
i guess that would give the response you gave above..

Someone mentioned the IEM number that is the way they can tell if its stolen. So when and IF you ever take your phone into the store to have the useless sales people help you solve some problem. That is how they will know if its stolen. If there is a way to tell by electronic signal Tmobile simply doesnt care. I asked when I bought mine and they told me to get insurance. I asked how do you know if I dont just keep the phone and get a new one for 100 bucks. IEM number shows up was their answer.

Your IMEI and sim info are constantly broadcast about the cell network, you don't have to go into a store for this information to be picked up.
http://www.numberingplans.com/?page=analysis&sub=imeinr is one of the most common websites for checking your IMEI number (it's free), but do be careful with posting your IMEI/Serial number online at any site. Some are looking for valid IMEI numbers to use illegally.

Damn those shady Craigslist guys...

c2tmdsn said:
when i call t-mobile to change the internet plan
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I could be mistaken but I believe that if you select the G1 unlimited data plan, then any smart phone you have after that will not need to be updated...I am using the G1 plan with my HD2 and it works fine. So maybe you can avoid lying to them.

so i may buy a G2 from Craigslist

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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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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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.
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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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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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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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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!

Bad IMEI on ATT, will it work on TMob?

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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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

[Q] Blacklisted T-mobile in Canada

Hello I went on kijiji and saw a galaxy note 3 for $550. I thought this was a good deal as other were going for $600, $650. So i went out and bought the phone. I checked my SIM card and everything and it was working fine. However, I did see that it was from T-mobile because it said so on the back and I asked the guy and he said his cousin gave it to him. So I went home and told my cousin. My cousin then told me about IMEI and how they blacklist it and stuff. So i did some research, put the IMEI number on t-mobile check and what do you know, it was black listed from t-mobile. I tried calling the guy but he won't answer. My question is should I expect the phone to stop working anytime soon or something? I'm on Wind mobile by the way.

Nope. At least as of now, there's no cross check between companies. But, be aware, the phone is stolen.
Sent from my Note 3 via Tapatalk

You may have the police arrive to take it back... I hope you got a written receipt....

This is frequently seen in mexico and other latin american countries, as far as I know the technitians can re-implement the IMEI or generate one from scratch. but it's a tad expensive!
Mind you that this is against the law as it is a stolen mobile device. I think I might've heard that If you send your package to some state in Mexico, let's say Tijuana, they may or may not fix it for you and there may or may not be a costly charge for the service.

Changing the IMEI is illegal, which will get you into alot of trouble if they find you. Secondly, there is a national north american IMEI blacklist. You cheaped out and bought a phone that was stolen. Next time be wary of the phones you buy on craigslist or kiji. The only way you may be able to salvage some money back is to sell it overseas. The phone is not usable, and the carriers will not unblacklist it for you.

At&T blocked my GS7 edge

Hello friends,
So I have bought Galaxy S7 edge from Craigslist few weeks ago and was using it for prepaid SIM till I found out last night that my phone was blocked due to someone reported this phone was stolen. Is there a way someone can guide me the process to let AT&T know that the phone was not stolen, unless original owner wanted to make money from the insurance or At&T, not sure. Thanks in advance for your help.

The guy you bought it from probably isn't the original owner of the phone you bought from him. He probably stole it in the first place from somebody else. No matter how good his excuses are, there are plenty of maggots out there who dont give a damn about anyone else but just want your money.
P.S That is why he waited a few weeks before reporting it just to make it look good for him.

That sux. But thats a gamble u take being used and craigslist.

Go back to the seller and demand your money back.

I wish I could but seller is not picking up his phone or replying to my calls. I am dead in the water...

Out of curosity, If someone help me unlock the bootloader, and flash a new ROM , Can I be able to use it in USA?

Some knobhead did exact same to me after paying £500 in an ideal world ID at least have been able to beat the **** out of the scumbag
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

iali76 said:
Out of curosity, If someone help me unlock the bootloader, and flash a new ROM , Can I be able to use it in USA?
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Your IMIE is blacklisted. Unlocking will not change this, nor will loading a new rom. If this is an AT&T phone, then it's not even an option anyway, as you can't unlock them.
No offence, but your screwed.....

Yup, no recovering from this. You are screwed.
Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

Unfortunately, this sounds like it's an expensive lesson learned.
In future, when buying a used phone from someone on Ebay, Craigslist, Swappa, etc, ALWAYS ask for the IMEI number of the phone. Then call the service provider that the phone belongs to and verify that the IMEI number is in good standing and has not been blacklisted.

You need to ask for they I'd so that way you can find them or report them ppl can sell you a phone then later on block it they can get a new one happen to me but you can try getting the Sim unlock and trying a small class phone company to see if they would give service anything like tmobile att they not going to do it