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Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › informing about stolen mobiles on network
newbellies

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#138113 20-Dec-2013 07:43
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About the newly minted agreement for NZ mobile carriers to block stolen phones across all carriers with one phonecall.

I'm quite pleased about this, especially after a breakin earlier in the year.  However, I'm disappointed to hear that there isn't there be some sort of process to inform owners and/or police when someone tries to use the stolen phone with their SIM.   Without this, it only cements the fact that one will never get the phone back. I can already hear some grumps already saying, "Why should they??"  Because it's the right thing to do.

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kingjj
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  #955481 20-Dec-2013 13:56
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newbellies: Would be glad to explain how notifying when a stolen phone is detected would further help.

As far as thieves go, you are not typically dealing with the world's brightest. They could very well be using SIM for a post-paid plan, in which case there is a name and billing address associated.   No random doors involved there. That's also true if someone unknowingly bought a stolen phone.   And even for pre-paid plans, there is some level of info required to get (which could have been faked).  Worst case, you now have the phone number of either the thief or whoever bought it. 

I'm sure the police would love to get addresses or phone numbers of thieves or those who purchase stolen goods.


In my own experience (and educated opinion) the type of person that steals a phone or uses a stolen phone is also the type of person who flits between $5 PrePay SIM cards they purchase at the Dairy with cash. They are not the type to register their PrePay nor are they the type to use an on account sim. Saying they are not the worlds brightest is a huge assumption, when it comes to technology the criminal fraternity are always at the cusp of what can be done for their own nefarious purposes. What's the first thing a no-gooder does when they think the PoPo has their number? They get a new one. The Police are not going to waste the considerable resources (and cost) required to request text info just so they can try and link a prepaid, nil subscriber details held, number to an actual person who will have disposed of the phone and any other evidence before the Tele Co's even get the request. Great in theory, limited in practice. 

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