Related
if someone is not planning on paying their phone bill and the phone thats on the plan is still clear for activating, can someone else with a sprint account activate it ?
and after its activated on another account, is it possible for the esn to go bad while on the account when the bill isnt paid?
sprint screwed over a family member so hes trying to see what he can do with the phones before the window to pay the bill is over.
any info on this would be great...thanks
its an evo if that matters at all...
help :[
10char
PC Jona said:
if someone is not planning on paying their phone bill and the phone thats on the plan is still clear for activating, can someone else with a sprint account activate it ?
and after its activated on another account, is it possible for the esn to go bad while on the account when the bill isnt paid?
sprint screwed over a family member so hes trying to see what he can do with the phones before the window to pay the bill is over.
any info on this would be great...thanks
its an evo if that matters at all...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Talking about this is fraud which is not allowed on XDA. Simple answer is yes if you don't pay the bill then can block your ESN making it dead.
Thread closed
I buy wholesale lots of phones and resell them individually on ebay. Now I have to check IMEIs on ATT and T-Mobile since they started this whole blacklist bullcrap. The bad thing is that AT&T won't give me information or tell me if phones are blacklisted or not. They'll tell me to "bring it into your local store and they can check it". I know the only reason they do this is because the store will take it away from me if it shows up as a lost or stolen device. Eff that. I already paid money for it, I can at least sell it for parts or try to get my money back!
I was on AT&T chat today, and I heard a new one that I can't understand: "It is an at&t phone but it's from a resellers account that means the service provider of that phone only buy cellphone service from us at&t that they provide to theyre customers. So with that, the account the phone came from is not directly connected with us for me to identify if the phone is cleared to be bought or not. I am sorry though."
...what does that even mean? It's an i717 Note for AT&T, so I'm confused.
Also, if I got AT&T and T-Mobile prepaid plans, could I use those SIMs to check the phones and see if they worked? This new blacklisting database is really making life difficult for me...
In sorry for the hardship for you as an independent seller but I'm beyond happy about the new black list as a consumer who has had his new phone stolen and T-Mobile basically said "oh well".
It's about time they implemented this.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
mooglepimp said:
I buy wholesale lots of phones and resell them individually on ebay. Now I have to check IMEIs on ATT and T-Mobile since they started this whole blacklist bullcrap. The bad thing is that AT&T won't give me information or tell me if phones are blacklisted or not. They'll tell me to "bring it into your local store and they can check it". I know the only reason they do this is because the store will take it away from me if it shows up as a lost or stolen device. Eff that. I already paid money for it, I can at least sell it for parts or try to get my money back!
I was on AT&T chat today, and I heard a new one that I can't understand: "It is an at&t phone but it's from a resellers account that means the service provider of that phone only buy cellphone service from us at&t that they provide to theyre customers. So with that, the account the phone came from is not directly connected with us for me to identify if the phone is cleared to be bought or not. I am sorry though."
...what does that even mean? It's an i717 Note for AT&T, so I'm confused.
Also, if I got AT&T and T-Mobile prepaid plans, could I use those SIMs to check the phones and see if they worked? This new blacklisting database is really making life difficult for me...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's likely a straight talk device, or a device from a reseller.
Basically, even though it's an ATT device, it was sold buy a reseller account, and not ATT. Even if it runs on the ATT network.
they dont keep the IMEI numbers from reseller phones, only the ones they sell directly, so they cant release an IMEI number for use on the network, because they have no record of it to release.
Clear as mud ?....LOL
But a prepaid sim should fire up, with the right APN settings...g
uoY_redruM said:
In sorry for the hardship for you as an independent seller but I'm beyond happy about the new black list as a consumer who has had his new phone stolen and T-Mobile basically said "oh well".
It's about time they implemented this.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Although I can empathize with you....it seems that they are doing nothing but screwing over the person who buys a resold phone. Nothing they do will protect you as the person who got it stolen, and they make is SOOOOO DIFFICULT to check the IMEI that it really just screws over the buyer who got a blacklisted phone and now can't do anything about it :-/
So, a week ago I bought an HTC One from craigslist. We met at a T-Mobile store so that they could verify the phone was clean and able to be activated. They said everything was clean and safe to buy. Phone was working great for a week and then out of nowhere earlier today all the data and cellular service just turns off completely. I try turning it off & on several times, toggling airplane mode off/on, etc. etc. Finally I go in to a T-mobile store. After 30 minutes of turning it off & on, changing the SIM, calling corporate, etc. eventually they tell me that the phone was reported lost earlier today and is now blocked.
They tell me there is nothing they can do.... am I really just out the $450 now? Is there anything I can do??? What's the point of them verifying or checking anything if this can still be done? Any help or suggestions please!?!?
The only way to get it taken off the list is if the original phone owner calls in and says it is not stolen. It can be used with AT&T but none of the carriers that use Tmobile.
What your seller probably did was make an insurance claim. Get a second phone for $175 then he never returned the old phone sold it to you made $325 and then you get screwed.
Happens a lot more often now that IMEI can be blocked since march.
If you can get a hold of the person who sold it to you and be like wtf
Sent from my HTC One using xda app-developers app
jones75534 said:
So, a week ago I bought an HTC One from craigslist. We met at a T-Mobile store so that they could verify the phone was clean and able to be activated. They said everything was clean and safe to buy. Phone was working great for a week and then out of nowhere earlier today all the data and cellular service just turns off completely. I try turning it off & on several times, toggling airplane mode off/on, etc. etc. Finally I go in to a T-mobile store. After 30 minutes of turning it off & on, changing the SIM, calling corporate, etc. eventually they tell me that the phone was reported lost earlier today and is now blocked.
They tell me there is nothing they can do.... am I really just out the $450 now? Is there anything I can do??? What's the point of them verifying or checking anything if this can still be done? Any help or suggestions please!?!?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your seller was the original owner, then he is committing fraud if he has later reported it stolen. Check with the seller, and if you don't get a good answer, call the police. If the phone is stolen, then you need to call the police.
Thanks both of you, I love xda!
You think the police are really going to do anything about this? I kinda figured that would be a long shot. I'm guessing if I can find the seller's contact info they either won't answer, will hang up on me right away, or maybe even change their number if they didn't already....
To me, what I can't understand is how T-mobile doesn't have a better process that is more controlled. The IMEI should be tied to an account/owner and only be allowed to be activated on another account after transferring the ownership with the owner's consent. This seems like a pretty spotty process without any kind of controls in place.
Really don't want to be out half a grand....
Unfortunately I don't see any process like that anytime soon probably minimum ten years. That's what GSM is all about freedom to get a phone anywhere anytime. It is unfortunate that this happened to you. Happens very frequently especially within first fee months of phone launch.
Sent from my HTC One using xda app-developers app
jones75534 said:
Thanks both of you, I love xda!
You think the police are really going to do anything about this? I kinda figured that would be a long shot. I'm guessing if I can find the seller's contact info they either won't answer, will hang up on me right away, or maybe even change their number if they didn't already....
To me, what I can't understand is how T-mobile doesn't have a better process that is more controlled. The IMEI should be tied to an account/owner and only be allowed to be activated on another account after transferring the ownership with the owner's consent. This seems like a pretty spotty process without any kind of controls in place.
Really don't want to be out half a grand....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The police report may not help you, but eventually it is quite possible that it will get the perpetrator into a lot of trouble - maybe keeping them from hitting someone else...
wait til all the big names start sharing the IMEI blacklists.
fun times.
I called T–mobile myself a bit ago and just explained what happened. Apparently the lady put in a request to unblock it. She said it will take up to 48 hours to get it unblocked and to power cycle my phone pull the SIM out and try to make a call in 48 hours. Not sure what to think about that.... I guess I'll just give it a day or two and see what happens :/ From the research I've done it sounds unlikely they'll unblock it but I will stay optimistic.
SIDE NOTE: I found the sellers phone number and the text string of arranging the purchase. Think I should contact authorities or T-Mobile with the info or just try calling them directly?
If nothing else doesn't work, you can sell it to an Canadian or foreigner... Otherwise good luck...Did you ask for the receipt?, because when I bought my t-mobile htc one, I asked the seller to sent me a receipt.
disclaimer not promoting sale of black listed devices....
htc fan89 said:
If nothing else doesn't work, you can sell it to an Canadian or foreigner... Otherwise good luck...Did you ask for the receipt?, because when I bought my t-mobile htc one, I asked the seller to sent me a receipt.
disclaimer not promoting sale of black listed devices....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha yeah I understand what you're saying and that you're not promoting me doing the same thing that was done to me. As a backup plan if nothing else works, this device could be used on AT&T right? I recently came from Sprint so not real savvy on how the SIM card / GSM networks work yet. Would I have to get the device "unlocked" to use on AT&T or a different GSM network? If so, could anyone point me in the right direction on how to do this and/or how much that costs.
Att and tmobile share imei lists.
Take that text string to tmobile. If the number that Texted you about the se is the number on his account. They can cross reference your phones imei to his number and use those texts as proof of purchase and help you.
I work at a store and if you came to me with this info I would unblock it for you....just sayin
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 2
clninja said:
Att and tmobile share imei lists.
Take that text string to tmobile. If the number that Texted you about the se is the number on his account. They can cross reference your phones imei to his number and use those texts as proof of purchase and help you.
I work at a store and if you came to me with this info I would unblock it for you....just sayin
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You would also get fired for doing something stupid like that. You need to read up on the process of unblocking phones. Serious note, dont risk your job over something like this. Its not worth it, plus that phone is property of asurion once its reported stolen.
Do this!!!!
*Try to contact seller and get your money back
*Contact authorities and have them file a report and maybe and insurance fraud case.
*Dont waste your time anymore trying to contact tmobile. They will not unblock it. That phone belongs to asurion due to them paying for it. I would also recommend calling them 1-866-268-7221 Maybe they can assist you with something.
Good luck and hope you get your money back.
deviusdragger said:
You would also get fired for doing something stupid like that. You need to read up on the process of unblocking phones. Serious note, dont risk your job over something like this. Its not worth it, plus that phone is property of asurion once its reported stolen.
Do this!!!!
*Try to contact seller and get your money back
*Contact authorities and have them file a report and maybe and insurance fraud case.
*Dont waste your time anymore trying to contact tmobile. They will not unblock it. That phone belongs to asurion due to them paying for it. I would also recommend calling them 1-866-268-7221 Maybe they can assist you with something.
Good luck and hope you get your money back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually I wouldn't be risking my job at all and there is a very strong possibility it would get unlocked. in circumstances such as this a rep can approach his manager with it and the store manager has the ability to call customer care and request the unblock. I would not be unblocking it myself
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 2
jones75534 said:
So, a week ago I bought an HTC One from craigslist. We met at a T-Mobile store so that they could verify the phone was clean and able to be activated. They said everything was clean and safe to buy. Phone was working great for a week and then out of nowhere earlier today all the data and cellular service just turns off completely. I try turning it off & on several times, toggling airplane mode off/on, etc. etc. Finally I go in to a T-mobile store. After 30 minutes of turning it off & on, changing the SIM, calling corporate, etc. eventually they tell me that the phone was reported lost earlier today and is now blocked.
They tell me there is nothing they can do.... am I really just out the $450 now? Is there anything I can do??? What's the point of them verifying or checking anything if this can still be done? Any help or suggestions please!?!?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well there is your lesson learned, Don't buy phones from Craigslist! I actually in the past had that happen but on a iPhone 4S and well it actually got blocked 3 days later and AT&T said it was reported stolen. So From there on I either buy my phones on ebay or just do some AT&T loopholes to get a brand new HTC One which I did and pay the new activation price for it
clninja said:
Att and tmobile share imei lists.
Take that text string to tmobile. If the number that Texted you about the se is the number on his account. They can cross reference your phones imei to his number and use those texts as proof of purchase and help you.
I work at a store and if you came to me with this info I would unblock it for you....just sayin
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you that is encouraging. Might try this if the unblock doesn't work that the rep requested.
deviusdragger said:
You would also get fired for doing something stupid like that. You need to read up on the process of unblocking phones. Serious note, dont risk your job over something like this. Its not worth it, plus that phone is property of asurion once its reported stolen.
Do this!!!!
*Try to contact seller and get your money back
*Contact authorities and have them file a report and maybe and insurance fraud case.
*Dont waste your time anymore trying to contact tmobile. They will not unblock it. That phone belongs to asurion due to them paying for it. I would also recommend calling them 1-866-268-7221 Maybe they can assist you with something.
Good luck and hope you get your money back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply. Is that the number for Assurion? The store manager yesterday called them too and they were completely useless and just said to talk to T-mobile.
Vicpdx18 said:
Well there is your lesson learned, Don't buy phones from Craigslist! I actually in the past had that happen but on a iPhone 4S and well it actually got blocked 3 days later and AT&T said it was reported stolen. So From there on I either buy my phones on ebay or just do some AT&T loopholes to get a brand new HTC One which I did and pay the new activation price for it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is eBay safer than craigslist? How did you get the new phone from Att?
Sent from my HTC One using xda app-developers app
Why not learn a lesson from it and sell it to get the most of it ? Thats what i did in past
You can sell it on eBay say it is blacklisted at least get some money back.
Buddy of mine lost his phone made a claim. Then found his phone the day he got the new phone he called asurion for instructions on what to do he sent his new phone back they received it and got his money back in about ten days total. But they never unblocked his current phone that he found again. Here we are almost three months later his phone is still blacklisted and did nothing wrong. Called Tmobile at least ten times they always say 48 hours and doesn't do anything so he just gave up its a paperweight.
Sent from my HTC One using xda app-developers app
So I went over to Ebay and I see there is an HTC One with a T-mobile blacklisted IMEI with over 40 bids selling for over $400... this is very encouraging. Only difference is that one is Unlocked and the seller said he already verified it does work with AT&T with some minor APN changes. Does this seem legit? If so, what is the best/cheapest/most reliable way for me to unlock my phone? I did research this, but it sounds like many online sites charge a pretty good fee for this and don't have the best reputation. Also, most recommended having your carrier do it, which I'm sure is not an option in my case..... Appreciate the support!
jones75534 said:
So I went over to Ebay and I see there is an HTC One with a T-mobile blacklisted IMEI with over 40 bids selling for over $400... this is very encouraging. Only difference is that one is Unlocked and the seller said he already verified it does work with AT&T with some minor APN changes. Does this seem legit? If so, what is the best/cheapest/most reliable way for me to unlock my phone? I did research this, but it sounds like many online sites charge a pretty good fee for this and don't have the best reputation. Also, most recommended having your carrier do it, which I'm sure is not an option in my case..... Appreciate the support!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wont suggest you listing it as a phone working on at&t because this phone would not work in usa after a certain period(when tmobile UPDATES their blacklist with other networks) , if the ebay seller advises as such he would face the consequences . Payments are mostly done through paypal and they give a 45 day window for the buyer to claim the phone as not described . That would put you again in the same situation you are today in . You not just sell it for parts ? Get your money out of this sh*t and get yourself a new phone?
Just my 2cent !
@jones75534 sorry to tell u but most unlocking service wont unlock your phone . It is blacklisted in all the database
Hey all,
I did some searching so it makes me suspect this isn't possible yet, but does anyone have a method to change the IMEI or MEID of the LG V30+ (Sprint, if that matters)? I need to change it and not just mask it.
The short story is I bought on on eBay but it was already tied to someone's account. The seller won't give me that person's contact info, Sprint won't tell me if there's a finance balance on it and if I can pay it off, and Sprint won't give me that person's contact info either. eBay declined my request for a refund, so now I'm just trying to see if I can make this thing usable at all.
Thanks!
Changing IMEI is illegal you know?
t1mman said:
Changing IMEI is illegal you know?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've done some research and can't find anything that says it is illegal in the United States, which is where I live. I do believe it's illegal in Europe but I don't intend to use the phone there so I'm not really concerned about that.
The way I see it I legally bought a phone. I was mislead a little bit, but the phone is not reported stolen so that means the original owner sold it legally to someone else who bought it. That original owner still owes Sprint money, but that should have nothing to do with the phone itself. So I'd just like to use the phone I paid for. I have an IMEI from an older phone that went into the toilet, so I don't really see the problem with swapping the IMEI of this one out for that one.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2249666&p=40723213
Is it google account lock ? Did you do a imei check ?
If its google account lock some sites provide service to bypass that
Imei check status - will tell you about just that the status. Could say clean , unpaid bills anything other than clean you may have to pay to get rid of that bad status aince sprint aint helping u
Another thing when you try to activate it on your sprint account they will remind you that you will be taking over unpaid payments left by previous owner. All the times i activated sprint phones a d the rep tells me that means ill be takong over payments. And on some phones wherr the rep doesnt say anything about taking over payments means phone is paid off by previous owner.
nizmoboy98 said:
Is it google account lock ? Did you do a imei check ?
If its google account lock some sites provide service to bypass that
Imei check status - will tell you about just that the status. Could say clean , unpaid bills anything other than clean you may have to pay to get rid of that bad status aince sprint aint helping u
Another thing when you try to activate it on your sprint account they will remind you that you will be taking over unpaid payments left by previous owner. All the times i activated sprint phones a d the rep tells me that means ill be takong over payments. And on some phones wherr the rep doesnt say anything about taking over payments means phone is paid off by previous owner.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I put the IMEI into swappa's IMEI checker it says "Financial Eligibility - Device is not eligible for resale (financed)." When I talk to Sprint (Which I've done over a few calls and trips to the store) they tell me it can't be put on my account because it's still attached to another account, but they don't tell me why at all. They've never told me if I could just take over payments for the phone, which is interesting since I've asked specifically about that. I wonder if something else is blocking this IMEI? So far I haven't been able to reach anyone at Sprint that can tell me anything about the phone's previous owner or any financial obligations on the phone.
Do you happen to know of a different IMEI checker I should try that might give me more information?
Imei checker by cavallo enterprise
I tried that on my insuranced replacement lg v30 and it gave me unpaid balance on mines
cjshrader said:
The way I see it I legally bought a phone. I was mislead a little bit, but the phone is not reported stolen so that means the original owner sold it legally to someone else who bought it. That original owner still owes Sprint money, but that should have nothing to do with the phone itself.
So I'd just like to use the phone I paid for. I have an IMEI from an older phone that went into the toilet, so I don't really see the problem with swapping the IMEI of this one out for that one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sorry you are out the money....
But the flaw in your logic is that 2017 $800-$900 LG V30 phone still belongs to Sprint, until paid off. The person who "sold" it to you had no right to sell property they do not own (unless they used the money to pay off the balance). So, technically, they are stealing it. The only reason it's not been "reported" stolen is Sprint is probably taking care of this in civil proceedings as opposed to criminal proceedings? They are probably getting a judgement against the person. In which case, Sprint doesn't want to deal with you because that just complicates the case.
IF the person you bought it from had used that money to immediately pay of the balance, then everything would be OK. But they probably sold for lot less than owed to Sprint. (Sprint wants customers with recurring monthly payments, they don't want to be Best Buy. The financial price of the contract is probably a LOT more than the hardware cost of the phone.)
This phone was released in October. The user probably didn't make any payments, to be honest. So you would be out not only what you paid them, but probably the full amount they owe Sprint for up to two years?
Sprint also had deals where you would get a phone, get free first year service, but then be obligated to pay for 2nd year of service. People signed a legal contract. To get out of the contract they had to pay the value of what was still left. The amount owed on this phone might not be just the cost of the phone, but a year or two of Sprint service charges. I haven't seen the contract, I really couldn't care less about Sprint --- I've helped many friends escape Sprint -- I'm just speculating why Sprint isn't being helpful with you. It seems it's more than just the phone?
One Sprint deal was to LEASE TWO PHONES. LEASE one phone, get one for free:
http://newsroom.sprint.com/lg-v30-a...e-get-one-on-us-just-38-per-month-for-two.htm
In which case, they weren't even buying the phone from Sprint over two years, they were renting it.
I see this a lot with new Sprint phones sold on Craigslist and eBay -- lots of drama for some reason. Earlier this year was lots of posts for help in unlocking Sprint Galaxy S8/S8+. It's not that those model phones cannot be unlocked, it's that money was owed on them still. People were getting new Sprint phones for "free", then turning around and selling them on eBay, Craigslist. But they weren't free. They had signed a contract, and until the terms were fulfilled it was still Sprint's phones. So, it was really a scam.
In many countries, changing IMEI numbers is like changing VIN on a car. It's against the law, because either the car is stolen or some other bad intent is happening.
Sent from my carrier unlocked LG V30+ US998
cjshrader said:
I've done some research and can't find anything that says it is illegal in the United States, which is where I live. I do believe it's illegal in Europe but I don't intend to use the phone there so I'm not really concerned about that.
The way I see it I legally bought a phone. I was mislead a little bit, but the phone is not reported stolen so that means the original owner sold it legally to someone else who bought it. That original owner still owes Sprint money, but that should have nothing to do with the phone itself. So I'd just like to use the phone I paid for. I have an IMEI from an older phone that went into the toilet, so I don't really see the problem with swapping the IMEI of this one out for that one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phone_cloning#Effectiveness_and_legislation
https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/cell-phone-fraud
Contact your seller, explain the situation, and if the description didn't state the IMEI issue, or didn't state the item was AS-IS, contact paypal/ebay and open a dispute.
If it was stated, well, you knew what you where getting into!
Good luck!
I appreciate all the comments from everyone. Although I'm not sure that simply changing your IMEI is specifically illegal, I can see 100% how someone could use that information to do something illegal and therefore this forum wouldn't want to discuss it.
I'm going to continue to try to use the resources nizmoboy98 provided to me to see if I can learn any more (They haven't been working so far and have me a little nervous that they are also some form of scam...but I'll give the benefit of the doubt).
If that doesn't give me any additional worthwhile information, then I'll have to sell it for parts on eBay and be much more upfront than the seller was to me. I won't make all my money back but maybe I can make some. (The seller did say the phone was as-is but also said the only problem with it was it was "Activated on someone else's account" which didn't mean the same thing to me as it did to him) I've learned a valuable and expensive lesson about checking IMEIs in the future.
cjshrader said:
I appreciate all the comments from everyone. Although I'm not sure that simply changing your IMEI is specifically illegal, I can see 100% how someone could use that information to do something illegal and therefore this forum wouldn't want to discuss it.
I'm going to continue to try to use the resources nizmoboy98 provided to me to see if I can learn any more (They haven't been working so far and have me a little nervous that they are also some form of scam...but I'll give the benefit of the doubt).
If that doesn't give me any additional worthwhile information, then I'll have to sell it for parts on eBay and be much more upfront than the seller was to me. I won't make all my money back but maybe I can make some. (The seller did say the phone was as-is but also said the only problem with it was it was "Activated on someone else's account" which didn't mean the same thing to me as it did to him) I've learned a valuable and expensive lesson about checking IMEIs in the future.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you paid by CC, just dispute the charges with your CC company and they'll give you your money back. (Chargeback) now if the seller indeed showed it was not usable, you're outta luck.
cjshrader said:
I appreciate all the comments from everyone. Although I'm not sure that simply changing your IMEI is specifically illegal, I can see 100% how someone could use that information to do something illegal and therefore this forum wouldn't want to discuss it.
I'm going to continue to try to use the resources nizmoboy98 provided to me to see if I can learn any more (They haven't been working so far and have me a little nervous that they are also some form of scam...but I'll give the benefit of the doubt).
If that doesn't give me any additional worthwhile information, then I'll have to sell it for parts on eBay and be much more upfront than the seller was to me. I won't make all my money back but maybe I can make some. (The seller did say the phone was as-is but also said the only problem with it was it was "Activated on someone else's account" which didn't mean the same thing to me as it did to him) I've learned a valuable and expensive lesson about checking IMEIs in the future.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really sorry for what seems like a loss. The phone is a great phone. I hope something positive and inexpensive works in your favor.
Sent from my LG-H931 using XDA Labs
Just use some of the online services to sim unlock the phone. Screw the provider, they are all assholes.
That's if I understood correctly what you meant by "locked to another persons account"
Mr CATFISH said:
Really sorry for what seems like a loss. The phone is a great phone. I hope something positive and inexpensive works in your favor.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I appreciate that, and even though I'm paying extra for one I'm definitely thinking it's going to be the next phone I get. I've been on a Note 4 for a long time and it's on its last legs.
adsubzero said:
Just use some of the online services to sim unlock the phone. Screw the provider, they are all assholes.
That's if I understood correctly what you meant by "locked to another persons account"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The IMEI is tied to that account, I don't think the SIM card would affect anything.
Josh McGrath said:
If you paid by CC, just dispute the charges with your CC company and they'll give you your money back. (Chargeback) now if the seller indeed showed it was not usable, you're outta luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The purchase was through Paypal, and since eBay and Paypal are generally in lock step together. That being said, I should still take a shot, it wouldn't hurt. This is effectively a bad IMEI phone, and the seller said the problem with it was it was "activated on someone else's account." Those two things don't mean the same to me.
cjshrader said:
The IMEI is tied to that account, I don't think the SIM card would affect anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He's saying there are other providers who don't care that it's a blacklisted phone. That IF you get the phone carrier unlocked through an unlock code perhaps you can then use it with another service provider.
My understanding is there's a U.S. carrier blacklist covering all four major carriers. Whether there are loopholes, I don't know. Like maybe since is not actually been reported lost/stolen?
But there's also tons of U.S. MVNOs who may or may not suscribe to that list. Those MVNOs use the major carriers, like AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint, but provide their own SIM cards.
I'm just explaining what the other person meant. What you do is your own decision.
Sent from my official carrier unlocked LG V30+ US998
Try and search ebay for the this seller and message the seller any questions you have. Ask seller if you will get refund if it does not work . im guessing sites that provide this service knows someone that works at sprint and maybe pays them under the table to change status of imei
Hey all,
Just to close this topic I called eBay just to give it one more shot (I'd already opened a case and had it denied, even after appeal). After speaking with them, they told me it's against eBay policy to sell a phone with a bad IMEI so they will actually go through with the refund. I immediately bought another version of this phone on swappa, so basically I think this is the happiest possible ending (except for the seller on eBay, who is about to have their phone back).
Once again thanks for all the comments, I appreciate it.
cjshrader said:
Hey all,
Just to close this topic I called eBay just to give it one more shot (I'd already opened a case and had it denied, even after appeal). After speaking with them, they told me it's against eBay policy to sell a phone with a bad IMEI so they will actually go through with the refund. I immediately bought another version of this phone on swappa, so basically I think this is the happiest possible ending (except for the seller on eBay, who is about to have their phone back).
Once again thanks for all the comments, I appreciate it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You sent the seller back a bad phone?
MicroMod777 said:
You sent the seller back a bad phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, with the refund it's now eBay seller's property (again)...
He can sell it to someone outside the U.S. and it will work.
MicroMod777 said:
You sent the seller back a bad phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is a year old thread ?
I apologize if i found the wrong forum to ask this in, if so please forgive and excuse me.
So for the "TL/DR" version, the question i have is...
From what i understand the SM-G965U Samsung Verizon S9+ that i have, which i today flashed to G965u1 global variant was already, by default sold from verizon as Unlocked. A IMEI check on various MVNO's ting.com, straighttalk, Walmart Fam Mobile, as well as a few IMEI checker sites have show this IMEI for this phone thats still under payments as clear and ready to activate with their sim. Also after successfully flashing the global bloat free variant to the phone, i was able to make a successful test call and confirm mobile data worked great with a borrowed Walmart Family Mobile Sim in it.
If i bounce out of this relashonsip, and take my phone as it is, still under her plan, and just go get a Sim Kit with the Unlimited plan from (Probably AT&T) will verizon or can verizon, or her block the phone once the sim from another carrier is working in it? Either by financle lock or her reporting it lost or anything like that? Or am I in the clear?
This isnt going to base my decison to leave this situation or not, (im going to peroid my childs welbeing is most important of all, my tolance for anger, abuse and BS comes a much later 2nd or 3rd) I just want to make plans as to what i should do about my phone, i want to keep it, im not going to fall into her games, and im going to change the number and would like to just pop the sim and be done with it, but i want to know if they can do anything if its reported lost, or she just stops paying her bill and they shut the account down due to non payment.
And for the details, and the morally inclined the situation is..
I have a week and a half new S9+ activated on an account from Verizon. The situation with myself and the account holder (Ex-Gf, or soon to be) has turned very sour so much that Im at a empass where I feel myself and my daughter are in a unhealthy enviroment and Im legitamatly concerned for her mental health, and the enviroment being to agressive, controlling and abusive. So basicly im leavin her. Im a single dad and this is my kid, not her so no im not running off with "our" child, unfortuatley the biological mother doesnt care to be in her life. But enough about the moral dilemma, emplications and personal life. This person is very unhealthy and we need to leave.
I became a authorized user on her account, allowed to make any decisons/purchases ect and she was with me when we bought it. Or rather signed up the payment agreement, with 0 down and just paid taxes and turned her plan and mine into a family with Go unlimited. With my S9+ having 24 payments of like $36 a month with the insurance ect. Phone case and screen protector added to the next bill, bill date the 27th.
Night before i handed her $400 in cash to add to the bill to get this about half paid off, only to find out she choose to blow it on something else, and giving her friend $150 because he was down on his luck.
The enviroment and some things she has said, has frightened me to the point where i belive she may try to either falsely accuse me of something to hold me hostage in the relashonship as she wont seek counsiling, or just continue to scream and agrue and yell either in front of or directly at my child, and after many attempts to try to get some 3rd party help counsilling ect ive decided its not going to work, and shes not going to try. She addtionaly has around $2k of my silver bars locked in her safe deposit box she wont allow access to for reasons I spend to much on things i dont need which isnt true. I think she is just trying to limit my resources to leave and or make me more dependant on her.
Which isnt going to work.
Thank you, and I apologize for the personal details of the post, and the lenght.
Thanks again.
She will likely report the phone stolen. It will be blacklisted at that point for all American carriers, but would still work internationally.
You should just be able to return it if you've had it a week and a half. It's network locked and won't work with another carrier's SIM unless you pay it off and get the code from Verizon or use one of the pay services you can find around the net.
No, it's not network locked. As I said I just tested it with a At&t sim and worked fine. It seems all Verizon phones are now unlock from the network as per an agreement with the FCC during the purchase of the 700 megahertz Spectrum that they would allow their phones to be unlocked what's your now done at the point of sale and activation. When I'm wondering is as if after I've Place another Sim in it and have continued use if she decides to be the way that she is and report it stolen or lost or whatever which I'm guessing is it can't be reported stolen unless there's a police report lost Maybe. If the new carrier it's working on will the activate or block it. I've already given her money to make up for the cost of the device whether or not she can apply it to the bill is up to her or if she even can but I'm not getting that money back so it's in my best interest to keep the device and keep it working on a different network via prepaid.
Bottom line, if you're using a device that isn't yours (and honestly, it really isn't), it's not safe. It seems unlikely that she will just continue to make payments on a device used by someone that just left her life. Maybe she's honest and will do the right thing, since you paid her money. But you'll never really know. You could wake up one day with no service and have very little you can do about it.
The better thing to do, rather than handing her $400, would have been to walk out of the relationship, leaving the phone in the home. Go take the $400 and buy a midrange device of your own.
Given she already took your money and blew it on something other than the bill you intended it for, you're pretty much screwed. She could easily blacklist the phone and there wouldn't really be any recourse for you (not even small claims court, as I'm guessing it was a verbal "agreement" when you gave her the $400 to put towards the bill. It would literally be your word against hers, and that wouldn't go far.)
Not saying you would have considered that route, but just putting it out there it wouldn't work
Sent from my SM-G965W using Tapatalk
T-Mobile employee here. If she decides to report it lost or stolen (if she still has the insurance on it she can pay the deductible and receive another of the same model) your IMEI will be put on a national blacklist. Doesn't matter which carrier you use or the firmware you flash on the device, the IMEI will be the same and will not register with any network in the US if she uses her insurance or just reports it but doesn't claim it. Once the IMEI is on this list it's nearly impossible to get it unblocked. Your best option is to try and return it and get your money back from your ex. You could try to sell it to someone overseas but that comes with it's own risks.
Thread closed by OP request!