What To Do When You Have Bought A Phone That Is Blacklisted

If you've always considered purchasing a used telephone, you lot've probably seen the words "blacklisted IMEI" mentioned in ominous tones everywhere y'all looked. Withal, the information on the spider web about blacklisted phones is vague and often conflicting depending on where your expect.

Nosotros're here to explicate everything you need to know virtually blacklisted phones.

We'll start with some background information and the ways you can check if a phone is blacklisted. If y'all're the unlucky recipient of a blacklisted phone, we'll also cover a few options you might take in recovering your money or restoring function to your telephone.

What is the IMEI/MEID/ESN Blacklist?

Every mobile device sold with data capabilities has a unique identifier. Which one your telephone uses volition depend on the network your carrier uses. For the majority of devices, this volition be the IMEI or International Mobile Equipment Identifier. If y'all're on a CDMA network, such equally Sprint or Verizon in the United states, yous'll have an ESN or Electronic Serial Number instead. Still, in both cases, the identifier works the same.

When you insert your SIM into a device--or with ESNs, turn your device on afterward calculation it to your account--it connects with the network of the carrier associated to the SIM. The carrier checks the IMEI and assigns it to your account. If it'south clear and you take a service contract, the phone tin connect. If the phone is blacklisted, information technology refuses a indicate.

This ways no SMS, MMS or calling on a mobile network. However, you tin can still utilise the device'southward Wi-Fi for VOIP calling, installing apps and other common tasks. It's like having a small tablet with no information service.

Blacklists are maintained by different groups depending on your location.

US blacklists are maintained by the Cellular Telecommunication Industry Association (CTIA).
Canadian blacklists are maintained by the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Clan (CWTA).
United kingdom blacklists are maintained past the Data and Communication Technologies Authorization (ICTA).

While most carriers within a region volition share blacklisting information, this isn't always the case across regions. However, it is possible that a device blacklisted in one region may be blacklisted in some or all of the others.

How Does a Telephone End Up on the Blacklist?

In that location are 2 ways that phones stop upward on the blacklist.

If a device is reported lost or stolen.

If the owner of the telephone fails to pay off whatsoever device financing.

While this should help curb mobile telephone theft, the rules accept created some other trouble for people in the market place for a cheap used phone.

The scam works similar this:

The seller puts a phone up for sale online
The buyer asks for the IMEI/ESN
The IMEI/ESN checks out articulate
The buyer purchases the phone and uses it with no problems
Later the return period passes, the seller calls the carrier and reports the phone lost or stolen
The carrier blacklists the telephone
The seller files an insurance claim with their carrier and gets a phone replacement, pocketing the seller's coin
The buyer calls their carrier considering their phone doesn't work and finds out it's blacklisted
The buyer contacts the seller and is told they are outside the return window

The problem is that the IMEI doesn't track ownership or sales, just the carrier of the SIMs inserted over the life of the phone. In the cease, the seller gets a new telephone and can potentially run the same scam until the carrier or insurance provider catches on. The heir-apparent is stuck fighting for their money dorsum or finding a new utilise for their overpriced iPod Touch.

Where Can I Cheque if a Phone is Blacklisted?

Checking to see if a phone is blacklisted is simple and free in most cases. To cheque, y'all'll need the IMEI or ESN.

Finding Your IMEI/MEID/ESN

For almost GSM phones, yous can detect the IMEI past typing *#06# into the dialer.

For other phones, you can endeavor i of these methods:

Check the device settings: On Apple tree devices, borer Settings > Well-nigh > IMEI/MEID will brandish the information. On Android devices, borer Settings > About Telephone > Status will exercise the same. You might demand to scroll to find the information.

Check the back of the phone: 1 many iPhone models, the IMEI/MEID is listed in pocket-sized print on the back of the phone.

Check the SIM tray: Some manufacturers print the IMEI/MEID on the tray yous insert into the phone's SIM slot.

Bank check under the battery: If your phone features a removeable bombardment, y'all might find the IMEI/MEID listed on a sticker beneath it.

Cheque the original packaging: If y'all held on to the original box to your device, there's probable a label on the outside that includes your IMEI/MEID.

Checking the Status of your IMEI/MEID/ESN

At present that y'all have the identifier for your phone, y'all accept two options.

If yous prefer to interact with a human, you can phone call the carrier you programme to utilise the telephone with or stop past one of their local stores.

If yous'd prefer something a piddling quicker, there are several websites you tin apply to check blacklist status. Leading options include:

DeviceCheck (Canada)
Protect Your Data (Canada)
Md SIM (Global)
Swappa (Global)

Looking for something a little more comprehensive? CheckMEND offers groundwork checks for phones for a small fee.

Items in their reports include:

Blacklisting for major carriers
If the phone has been recycled
If the telephone has been discipline to an insurance merits
If the phone has been reported lost or stolen
If the phone is under any financing

On some of the forums and articles we ran across researching CheckMEND, there were comments that the police force use the aforementioned service and databases. This ways if you lot check an identifier that is stolen, you lot might receive a call asking if y'all know of the whereabouts of the phone. We couldn't confirm this, then we've included information technology equally a note here for those who might find the situation uncomfortable.

Protecting Yourself from Blacklisting Scams

While the blacklisting organisation has good intentions, it doesn't do much to protect the buyer. And then it's up to you lot to exercise caution when ownership a used telephone to forestall complications. These all-time practices should notice you enjoying your new-to-you phone without worry.

Regardless of where you buy your phone, do not pay cash! Fraudulent sellers are always finding new means to skirt the rules and rip people off. The best protection you have as a buyer is creating proof of the transaction. For online classifieds, PayPal offers 180 days of protection. Many banks will reverse a fraudulent claim up to 1 year from the transaction. While neither of these will help get your phone working, they tin get your money dorsum.
Always request the IMEI or ESN of the phone y'all're planning to buy. If possible, have the seller to provide pictures of the information to ensure it is correct. If yous can do this through email, you likewise establish proof to place a claim if you receive a device with a different IMEI.
Take over the contract with the telephone if you can. This is one of the nigh overlooked options. Some used phone sites--such equally Cellswapper and TradeMyCellular--allow sellers to include the residue of their contract with the phone. As function of the sale, you contact the carrier and presume buying of the phone and contract. This means the seller cannot fraudulently written report the telephone stolen or lost after you go information technology.
Use a vendor with a blacklist guarantee. The problem with telephone fraud is partly due to the way the blacklisting system works. There is no protection built-in for either the heir-apparent or seller. Due to this, few vendors offer a blacklist guarantee. Orchard for instance offers used iPhones with a lifetime guarantee confronting blacklisting.
Enquire questions. Find out everything y'all can nigh a phone before exchanging any money. When asking questions, be on the lookout for vague answers or hesitation from the seller. These could be signs of someone looking to scam people.
Know telephone values. Research how much a phone is worth earlier jumping on whatsoever deals. If the deal seems to adept to exist truthful--and it'southward not a family unit member or friend--information technology probably is.

What Tin I Practice if My Phone is Blacklisted?

Unfortunately, the way the laws and blacklist arrangement work, you accept little at your disposal if yourself with a blacklisted telephone.

If yous bought the phone from a carrier store, contact your carrier and find out why information technology was blacklisted. They may offer help with dorsum payments or similar issues.
If you purchased the phone from a third-political party reseller, check with the site or store to see what protections that have against blacklisted phones.
If neither option works, check with the terms of your bank, credit card or payment service. They can walk you through the steps of filing a claim and reversing the accuse. Policies differ across providers, but if y'all're inside 6 months of your purchase engagement you're likely to find options.
If nothing else works, consider checking with unlock services to see if they'll unlock a blacklisted phone. If they will, you might find that another carrier will nevertheless work. All the same, as the blacklisting databases continue to share information, this is less probable to work. We have a guide on phone unlocking with list of reputable phone unlockers that might able to help.

Blacklisting is a warranted concern for anyone purchasing a used phone. However, with some precautions and inquiry, information technology is possible to minimize the risk and salvage big over the prices at retail stores.

Your Turn

Have whatsoever tips for readers looking to avert ownership a blacklisted phone we might have missed? Accept you had success getting your own telephone off the blacklists? We desire to hear about it! Exit us a comment in the box below or reach out on Facebook.

P.South. If you cannot recover your funds or get your phone off the blacklists, y'all might use information technology equally a VoIP phone, media histrion or domicile automation remote control. We outline other popular options in our article on uses for old smartphones.