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...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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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Click to collapse
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.

Bought a Blcklisted phone

Hello,
About a month ago i bought an used Nexus 4 device on ebay. After 1 month of use i get no signal, not being able to make calls , send messages etc. after some search i found out phone is blacklisted, maybe stolen i dont know. can i fix this? could i get it back to working order? thank you

tonisr said:
Hello,
About a month ago i bought an used Nexus 4 device on ebay. After 1 month of use i get no signal, not being able to make calls , send messages etc. after some search i found out phone is blacklisted, maybe stolen i dont know. can i fix this? could i get it back to working order? thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You get 45 days to return any item on ebay, just go to the resolution center and "Report that you received an item that wasn't as described"

Salvy said:
You get 45 days to return any item on ebay, just go to the resolution center and "Report that you received an item that wasn't as described"
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i bought it cheap so cant find another for that price. anyways thats what i will do in the end.so there is no way i could fix it?

tonisr said:
i bought it cheap so cant find another for that price. anyways thats what i will do in the end.so there is no way i could fix it?
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Click to collapse
unfortunately for you and the person who the phone was stolen from. the blacklist is on the carrier end. and as far as i know you can't hide or alter the IMEI serial on your phone. so unless you want an oversized ipod touch, i suggest you return it and hopefully can get a refund from the seller on ebay.

tonisr said:
i bought it cheap so cant find another for that price. anyways thats what i will do in the end.so there is no way i could fix it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Legally, nope.
How cheap? ~200? Even at that price is not worth it if is blacklisted. Anyways the Nexus 4 is very cheap as it is! (comparing it to similar phones).
If you still want to buy another from ebay, I would recommend to get the 8GB version, since that one is only sold directly from Google, is impossible that it can get blacklisted.

ok thanks guys i will open a dispute against buyer. thank you

Woah blacklist.. so they can literally blacklist your phone from working at all wrt making calls and stuffs.. ?

Andre_Vitto said:
Woah blacklist.. so they can literally blacklist your phone from working at all wrt making calls and stuffs.. ?
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If you report your phone stolen to your ISP, they will add the device's unique IMEI to a database that blocks it from accessing the network, effectively making it useless on the carrier. Depending on how the blacklist database works, the device may still work with other carriers, but it's also possible for this blacklist to be shared among carriers. So as long as you buy your device from the Play Store or directly from your carrier, it will be fine. Used phones should always be tested with a SIM before buying it, and keep your IMEI safe. Even if you buy a used phone, it's possible for the seller to report it stolen after they get your money.

If the buyer doesn't accept it or its too late, just sell it out for parts. You can sell the screen, back cover, battery, camera, usb port, and headphone port, for at least $200. Just don't sell the motherboard as that's the part that has the blacklisting
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

Bloodflame said:
If you report your phone stolen to your ISP, they will add the device's unique IMEI to a database that blocks it from accessing the network, effectively making it useless on the carrier. Depending on how the blacklist database works, the device may still work with other carriers, but it's also possible for this blacklist to be shared among carriers. So as long as you buy your device from the Play Store or directly from your carrier, it will be fine. Used phones should always be tested with a SIM before buying it, and keep your IMEI safe. Even if you buy a used phone, it's possible for the seller to report it stolen after they get your money.
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Click to collapse
U have any idea do blacklisted phones in canada work outside of CA? In EUROPE for example? Thanks

Well, seeming as the Nexus 4 is only $199, £159, that price is amazingly cheap, I'd say you should get your money back and order one from the play store..

Friend Purchased Stolen Phone, need help.

So one of my friends bought a Version S5 off of Craigslist, turned out it was stolen so Verizon couldn't do anything about it. He asked me for help, but I wasn't too sure if the phone can be unlocked and used with a previous Sim card to work. Is there anyway to get the phone to work, even if I towel root it?
I know it means Verizon has it blacklisted but it could technically be used on a different carrier if unlocked, right?

Br4nd3n said:
So one of my friends bought a Version S5 off of Craigslist, turned out it was stolen so Verizon couldn't do anything about it. He asked me for help, but I wasn't too sure if the phone can be unlocked and used with a previous Sim card to work. Is there anyway to get the phone to work, even if I towel root it?
I know it means Verizon has it blacklisted but it could technically be used on a different carrier if unlocked, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The phone will never work on any carrier, throw it in the trash.
The IMEI serial number is blacklisted by VZW and unless the original owner gets it back, it will never work again.

Okie John said:
The phone will never work on any carrier, throw it in the trash.
The IMEI serial number is blacklisted by VZW and unless the original owner gets it back, it will never work again.
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Click to collapse
I know in older models you could "repair" blacklisted IMEIs to unblacklist the phone, anything like that for this s5 variant?

Br4nd3n said:
I know in older models you could "repair" blacklisted IMEIs to unblacklist the phone, anything like that for this s5 variant?
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Click to collapse
The only ones who can unblacklist an IMEI are the carriers. Unless you can manage to change the IMEI, but then still... the carrier would have to allow that IMEI on the network.

Craigslist strikes again!

I purchased my phone locally from Craigslist but i had the seller agree to meet me at a verizon store to complete the transaction and have the phone checked out. It was brand new still in the box. That's probably the best way to go when purchasing a phone from Craigslist. If the seller won't meet you at your carrier's store just move on.

You could always use an online IMEI checker/verifier after meeting up, before handing over the money. Craigslist in general is super risky, though, even for personal safety. I recommend www.swappa.com

BigBot96 said:
You could always use an online IMEI checker/verifier after meeting up, before handing over the money. Craigslist in general is super risky, though, even for personal safety. I recommend www.swappa.com
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Click to collapse
Yes i did check it online he was more than willing to give me the info i needed to check it out over the phone which was great. For safety reasons and a second verification i asked him to meet up at verizon.

I buy almost all my phones off craigslist and before I hand over any money, I call Verizon and have their customer service check out the IMEI number and confirm it is not blacklisted. Not to be harsh, but now your friend knows what a 2 minute phone call costs.

How much did he pay for it? And does he want to recoup pay off the value?

Calling the carrier means nothing since they can report it lost/stolen after you take possession and they already have your money.

Purchased a stolen GS5... Wth...

Not really a GS5 related post but just a general post.
Please check your IMEI # with MORE than one website before buying. I checked on www.checkesnfree.com and the results came up good. Then I tried activating and got a blacklisted notice. I checked another website and it indeed it blacklisted on almost all carriers.
So now I have a very expensive brick.

arozer said:
Not really a GS5 related post but just a general post.
Please check your IMEI # with MORE than one website before buying. I checked on www.checkesnfree.com and the results came up good. Then I tried activating and got a blacklisted notice. I checked another website and it indeed it blacklisted on almost all carriers.
So now I have a very expensive brick.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Part it out on eBay. Only thing you prolly can't sell is the motherboard.
Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk

arozer said:
Not really a GS5 related post but just a general post.
Please check your IMEI # with MORE than one website before buying. I checked on www.checkesnfree.com and the results came up good. Then I tried activating and got a blacklisted notice. I checked another website and it indeed it blacklisted on almost all carriers.
So now I have a very expensive brick.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah sadly checkesnfree isnt very accurate anymore. I quit using it about 3 years ago because of the same reason. Hope you didnt pay too much for it, but as stated, parting it out or finding someone who can do a IMEI "repair" are likely your only options at this point.
I wish you luck, if i had extra cash on hand id make a offer but i dont even know what you paid for it and id hate to offend anyone with a "low ball" offer. Good luck sir!

swappa.com/esn

It is also possible the original owner just didn't pay their bill and ETF. I doubt you have interest in shelling out more $$$ to pay off someone else's ETF, but Sprint could tell you why it is blacklisted.

Sprint won't do anything to help this poor guy, unfortunately you definitely have a super expensive tiny tablet.
If you're interested in selling it for parts, send me a PM with a price and we can negotiate. Thanks!

I bought an s4 sprint is blocked by sprint... I unlocked it via SSU apk app. just I want to make sure if I can be able to use it in international in different countries Like country Iraq
Thanks
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using XDA Free mobile app

Personally, meeting the seller AT a Sprint Store and verifying the ability for the phone to be activated on another account is the only way I'll buy secondhand. If the seller refuses, then you just saved yourself a trip and a hole in your wallet.

i personally just do to it face to face in a public place like a shop. tell them to bring ID and sign a form stating ownership. you get free cctv back up of the exchange if you file a report with the police if anything ever happens.

elesbb said:
Part it out on eBay. Only thing you prolly can't sell is the motherboard.
Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk
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I would not do this, @arozer. If ever caught, you could be charged with selling/trafficking stolen property. Which in many states is a Class 4 or worse Felony.

typefortytardis said:
I would not do this, @arozer. If ever caught, you could be charged with selling/trafficking stolen property. Which in many states is a Class 4 or worse Felony.
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Click to collapse
Is this a joke? Lol. How would he get charged with doing anything illegal? As I stated, the only thing he probably can't sell is the motherboard. That's the part that holds the imei and esn which is the part that's blacklisted. And even still, as long as they are honest about the motherboard being blacklisted, there is no harm in that. There is no reason they cannot part out the device and at the very least make a little of their money back.
Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk

[HELP] Am i being scammed?

Need some advice XDA. (im from the UK)
im aware of the common scam of second hand contract binded phones sold on eBay and other marketplaces where after they have been sold a few month down the line there IMEI is blacklisted and blocked and there is nothing you can do about it.
Is this happening to me?
I bought a s7 edge from eBay (sealed box g935f)
It was described as being "no network logo's factory unlocked"
I received it, opened it and it booted with 3 (three) network logo and then when i got through set up it was filled with reinstalled 3 network Apps.
now as far as i know if a mobile is has this branded firmware it is binded to a contract... am i wrong?
i messaged the seller and he assured me it was not a contract phone but was purchased from 3 and he said being as its a unlocked phone he assumed it would not have any logo branding on the software and seeing as he did not open the box he couldn't be sure.
in the end i asked for a receipt.. he provided this delivery note (attatched file) (i have crossed out his address and imei in paint)
-yes that really is the original picture quality (god knows if he really is just taking the piss or eBay hosting is terrible)
after i questioned this delivery note and bad quality image he got very irate and simply asked me to return the device for a refund and began accusing me of being a scammer saying that he will get the police involved if i send back a different handset and try to pass it off as the one he sent
What do you think?
is he trying to scam me with a contract phone?
or is he being honest can a non contract phone be on a network branded firmware?

Resumen:
its not a Scam, make sure that it works and keep it.
the logo is because of the rom.
---------------------------------------------
Look, this will help you, Three and other companies have the option to sell unlocket or locket phones, but all of the phones, has the Three's ROM, the rom, make sure that the phone works, and u have data and all, its fine..

misterashman said:
Need some advice XDA. (im from the UK)
im aware of the common scam of second hand contract binded phones sold on eBay and other marketplaces where after they have been sold a few month down the line there IMEI is blacklisted and blocked and there is nothing you can do about it.
Is this happening to me?
I bought a s7 edge from eBay (sealed box g935f)
It was described as being "no network logo's factory unlocked"
I received it, opened it and it booted with 3 (three) network logo and then when i got through set up it was filled with reinstalled 3 network Apps.
now as far as i know if a mobile is has this branded firmware it is binded to a contract... am i wrong?
i messaged the seller and he assured me it was not a contract phone but was purchased from 3 and he said being as its a unlocked phone he assumed it would not have any logo branding on the software and seeing as he did not open the box he couldn't be sure.
in the end i asked for a receipt.. he provided this delivery note (attatched file) (i have crossed out his address and imei in paint)
-yes that really is the original picture quality (god knows if he really is just taking the piss or eBay hosting is terrible)
after i questioned this delivery note and bad quality image he got very irate and simply asked me to return the device for a refund and began accusing me of being a scammer saying that he will get the police involved if i send back a different handset and try to pass it off as the one he sent
What do you think?
is he trying to scam me with a contract phone?
or is he being honest can a non contract phone be on a network branded firmware?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Who cares, flash BTU firmware and problem solved. In my country, a lot of people by phones they don't need on contract then resell them to make money. Nothing shady there. If the imei is clean, why worry?

Stevica Smederevac said:
Who cares, flash BTU firmware and problem solved. In my country, a lot of people by phones they don't need on contract then resell them to make money. Nothing shady there. If the imei is clean, why worry?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the UK people get a phone on contract with insurance sell them on ebay wait a month or 2 and then report it stolen . They get replacement phone and the guy who bought his old one gets a blacklisted IMEI and can't do anything about it

bathcrow said:
Resumen:
its not a Scam, make sure that it works and keep it.
the logo is because of the rom.
---------------------------------------------
Look, this will help you, Three and other companies have the option to sell unlocket or locket phones, but all of the phones, has the Three's ROM, the rom, make sure that the phone works, and u have data and all, its fine..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So how can I tell if the phone is binded to a contract?

misterashman said:
So how can I tell if the phone is binded to a contract?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you should call three and ask them if the imei is binded, because you bought it.

bathcrow said:
you should call three and ask them if the imei is binded, because you bought it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately 3 won't release any information about it because Im not the one that bought it from them :/

misterashman said:
Unfortunately 3 won't release any information about it because Im not the one that bought it from them :/
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Click to collapse
sadly i cant help you further than this.

bathcrow said:
sadly i cant help you further than this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks anyway! I think I'm just gonna have to return it. I can't afford to risk it.
As far as I know 3 don't sell phones separate from a contract unless you pay more than what Samsung charge lol

misterashman said:
Thanks anyway! I think I'm just gonna have to return it. I can't afford to risk it.
As far as I know 3 don't sell phones separate from a contract unless you pay more than what Samsung charge lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Three branded ROM but apparently it is unlocked? Suspect. He could have flashed a Three ROM on there but why didn't he say this? Suspect. Typically three branded ROM will come from Three directly.
Take videos of the phone working/booting up. Take multiple pictures of the phone from all angles. Return it via special delivery, probably £6-8 but totally worth it for peace of mind. He won't be able to claim it not being delivered since it MUST be signed for. Special delivery will cover you for around £500 in compensation (Can be bought new from Amazon for around £475).
Hope it all goes well. If you can, buy from a reputable company next time.

Galactus said:
Three branded ROM but apparently it is unlocked? Suspect. He could have flashed a Three ROM on there but why didn't he say this? Suspect. Typically three branded ROM will come from Three directly.
Take videos of the phone working/booting up. Take multiple pictures of the phone from all angles. Return it via special delivery, probably £6-8 but totally worth it for peace of mind. He won't be able to claim it not being delivered since it MUST be signed for. Special delivery will cover you for around £500 in compensation (Can be bought new from Amazon for around £475).
Hope it all goes well. If you can, buy from a reputable company next time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the advice I'll make sure to do that, going to post it today.

Galactus said:
Three branded ROM but apparently it is unlocked? Suspect. He could have flashed a Three ROM on there but why didn't he say this? Suspect. Typically three branded ROM will come from Three directly.
Take videos of the phone working/booting up. Take multiple pictures of the phone from all angles. Return it via special delivery, probably £6-8 but totally worth it for peace of mind. He won't be able to claim it not being delivered since it MUST be signed for. Special delivery will cover you for around £500 in compensation (Can be bought new from Amazon for around £475).
Hope it all goes well. If you can, buy from a reputable company next time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nowadays, phones from Three are sold unlocked, but still have some Three branding due to the CSC.
Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

foxmeister said:
Nowadays, phones from Three are sold unlocked, but still have some Three branding due to the CSC.
Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I didn't mean in the traditional sense that the phone is sim-locked, but that it is still branded somewhat, so it's more likely that it is an unwanted network upgrade from Three directly.

lol, what is this?

Its a smiley ...