IMEI blacklisted Query

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robinby04

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#242153 13-Oct-2018 16:25

Hey guys,

So I bought a second hand phone on Facebook, and after a month it got blacklisted, and as you can guess, I can't contact the seller.

I've read that it may be able to work in other countries, and I had a UK sim card laying around and tested it, and yes it works.

Does this mean that it is forever unlocked in the UK, or after some time, may it get locked over there too?

Thanks in advance.

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8960 posts

Uber Geek

#2107338 13-Oct-2018 16:38

So you've bought a stolen phone, and are asking for help how to dispose of it?

Contact the Telco that blacklisted it and/or Police so it can be returned to its owner, and the seller held to account.

robinby04

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2107339 13-Oct-2018 16:42

Just because it has been blacklisted doesn't mean it's stolen.

The seller could have been a jerk and got it blacklisted.

The phone could have been on a plan and the payments stopped, and the provider blacklisted it.

I've been to my network provider who told me the original provider was Vodafone, so I went to them and they have said there is nothing they can do.

skewt

750 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2107341 13-Oct-2018 16:43

RunningMan:

So you've bought a stolen phone, and are asking for help how to dispose of it?

Contact the Telco that blacklisted it and/or Police so it can be returned to its owner, and the seller held to account.

From experience, Police have no interest in helping in these situations.

The Telco also didn't want the phone back, just place a block and write it off

xpd

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#2107346 13-Oct-2018 16:50

So youre happy trying to use a potentially stolen item ? Seriously, contact the telco that blocked it and go from there.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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robinby04

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2107347 13-Oct-2018 16:51

As i said in a previous comment, I've been to the telco and they have said they can't do anything.

Linux

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#2107348 13-Oct-2018 16:55

You can check and ask for the reason why it was blacklisted, Ask for the fraud team to contact you

John

robinby04

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Wannabe Geek

#2107378 13-Oct-2018 16:57

From what I've been told by my service provider (Spark) and the original service provider (Vodafone), they haven't told me anything about why and who, they just tell me there is nothing they can do once it's been blacklisted. I've been to 2 different Vodafone stores and been told the same thing.

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richms

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#2107379 13-Oct-2018 16:58

Only the orional purchaser can get it removed, and they will not tell you who that is for obvious reasons.

This is the hazard with buying used phones in NZ, the blacklist makes it too easy to rip people off when there is no viable way to check when buying it if there is an interest in the phone.

Richard rich.ms

Linux

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#2107380 13-Oct-2018 17:00

If blacklisted by Spark then read this blog post

https://www.geekzone.co.nz/sbiddle/8982

John

Edit: You need to confirm what carrier actually blacklisted the handset as all carriers share blacklist IMEI data

Linux

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#2107381 13-Oct-2018 17:02

Next step small clams court to get your $$ back

John

skewt

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Ultimate Geek

#2107382 13-Oct-2018 17:08

I do think that the TCF/providers need to step up and add an option to the blacklist that at least shows the device is clean but currently under contract.

This would solve a lot of this issues and its disappointing they haven't done this

Ge0rge

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#2107385 13-Oct-2018 17:15

skewt:
I do think that the TCF/providers need to step up and add an option to the blacklist that at least shows the device is clean but currently under contract.

This would solve a lot of this issues and its disappointing they haven't done this

I can't see them ever doing this - as by doing so they would be admitting that they are blacklisting phones due to bad debt - something that the blacklist is not allowed to be used for.

richms

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#2107398 13-Oct-2018 18:07

They need to have a change of ownership process like cars etc do, where guarenteed title is transfered over. Also integration with the personal property register if there is an interest in the phone over a loan/finance on it or similar.

Richard rich.ms

loceff13

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#2107475 13-Oct-2018 22:26

Spark and Voda don't block phones that get defaulted on, I assume the same for 2D. Only stolen phones.

hio77

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#2107483 13-Oct-2018 23:17

Ge0rge:
skewt:
I do think that the TCF/providers need to step up and add an option to the blacklist that at least shows the device is clean but currently under contract.

This would solve a lot of this issues and its disappointing they haven't done this

I can't see them ever doing this - as by doing so they would be admitting that they are blacklisting phones due to bad debt - something that the blacklist is not allowed to be used for.

I cant really comment on the op's situation. But.. There is a fine line between bad debt (which cant be blocked for) and fraud.

I personally do feel there should be a way to check on devices before sale. You would do the same for say... A car afterall.

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Any comments made are personal opinion and do not reflect directly on the position my current or past employers may have.

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