Here is something that might interest you folks

Hillbilly

Moderator
Jan 1, 2002
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I recently received this from a good techie friend.

It seems that once you have lost your cell phone, either through carelessness or thievery, it is seldom, if ever found and returned.

In order to stymie the use of the apparatus, I was told that the various cell phone service provider can access a special code called the IMEI code and permanently disable the apparatus. Dealers do not have it registered, it is not listed on anything visible on the chip or equipment.

YOU can access the IMEI code number by pressing *#06# . Do not press send. The number pops up on the screen, just make a note of it for future use, JIC (Just In Case).

If someone swipes your phone off of a curbside table while having a beer, just provide the company with the IMEI code and bingo! No service, permanently locked and nobody can unlock it!! At least that is what I was told.

So try this, it might be useful to a few of us...who knows?

HB
 

senorblanco

Member
Jun 11, 2006
201
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Thank you, that was helpful.
I have "lost" cell phones before and just know that the new "owner" has a free phone at my cost and simply gets to buy minutes.
Very cool !
 

Hillbilly

Moderator
Jan 1, 2002
18,948
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Another friend reported this:

If you keep the box the handset came in then you'll have the IMEI number.

Your provider always has this number or they are bull****ting you.


THAT is precisely why I posted it like I did. I know Jack about this tech stuff, but I can imagine that most people do not keep the box either...

Anyway, good to know...

What I doubt here is that the providers have such records as to find your IMEI if you report it lost or stolen...


All info is good to know IMO

HB
 

Mack

Active member
Jan 10, 2009
362
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They know who you are

Hillbilly,
The International Mobile Equipment Identifier (IMEI) is a unique 15-digit number that serves as the serial number of the phone. You will find it on the label located on the back of the phone. Usually under the battery. Or like you posted by entering *#06#. The phone company uses this number to activate your phone and keep track of it's usage. If your phone is lost or stolen, the phone company can enter the IMEI number into the database and permanently deactivate the phone. Even if the SIM card is changed, the mobile phone will not work.
Mack
 
Feb 7, 2007
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625
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While it is "nice" to have a chance to report IMEI number as lost or stolen....it actually won't help you much

1) "reparacion de celulares" tigueres hackers can change IMEI
2) if IMEI blocked on Orange, still can be activated on Claro or Viva and vice versa - no IMEI sharing
3) cell phone companies do not give a SH!T about your Imei blocking, they want you to buy a new phone
4) While "officially" you have to presnet a cellphone at a dealer to buy a chip to b use din that phone (at that phone OMEI is ran and checked) there are zillions of dealers who don't do that or you can talk them out of that ($$$)
5) Blocking IMEI is on "activation" and not on "usage" level, meaning IMEI, if reported lost or stolen, will pop up in activation process, but not while chip is inserted and being used.
 

Mack

Active member
Jan 10, 2009
362
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Yes but not for long

rubio_higuey,
What you say is absolutely correct, not only that there are thousands of phones with fake IMEI numbers. There is of course also software that can be used to change the IMEI. But... that is going to change. The Mumbai massacre has made sure of that. For sure sometime this year all phones will have to have an IMEI number or they will be rendered useless by whatever phone company they are connected to. Just like 9/11 changed the world so too is the Mumbai massacre going to change the mobile phone industry world wide.
Will it be possible in the future to find a way round It? Probably
But to the average cell phone thief will it be worth it? Probably not.
Mack
 

suarezn

Gold
Feb 3, 2002
5,823
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...and this only works for phones that use a SIM card right? (i.e. if I type this into my Sprint phone I get nothing...
 

Uzin

Bronze
Oct 26, 2005
1,386
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The other thing I like to add is to add a SIM/Chip lock password AND a Phone lock password to your phone. Many people don't do this but the SIM lock stop people using your SIIM in any other phone and the phone lock prevent them using another SIM in your phone. They also need both when they switch on the phone.

(Well, anything that makes life that little bit harder for those ba****d thieves.)
 

Mack

Active member
Jan 10, 2009
362
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suarezn
I've never owned a CDMA phone. As far as I'm aware there is no quick way like there is with the GSM phones. I believe different CDMA phones need different paths to find it.
Try this on your phone let us know if it works.

Select Menu>Settings>Phone Status>Other Info>ESN

Mack