Lost a phone.....

ravensbung · 21-11-2005, 18:26

Hi all, I lost my PAYG mobile the other day. I reported it to my provider and they said they will stop it working....does anyone know how they do this? If they send an electronic message, do they wait for a reply to confirm it's death? Do they send a few stop messages or do they just send the one? With this in mind, if someone had the phone "offline" and turned it on again after a while, would it be killed automatically? Or is it network depenedent? Any help would be appreciated........

21-11-2005, 18:32

I guess they will do one of 2 things (or preferably both)

1. Block your SIM preventing anyone using the remaining credit on it
2. Blacklist the phone - this will prevent its use on any UK network

Normally no messages are sent - they just block.

ravensbung · 21-11-2005, 18:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawson

I guess they will do one of 2 things

1. Block your SIM preventing anyone using the remaining credit on it
2. Blacklist the phone - this will prevent its use on any UK network

Normally no messages are sent - they just block.

Yes, I thought so, but my question is, how do they block?

Dr.Phlox · 21-11-2005, 18:41

All phones have an identifying IMEI number. This number is known by the service provider that provided the phone as it is this number that all bills etc are generated against. What they can do is bar that IEMI number from being able to make contact on their network. That number will then be passed to the other UK networks who will also block that particular unit from being able to use their service.

It IS possible to change the IMEI number, but this is now illegal.

DP

ravensbung · 21-11-2005, 19:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr.Phlox

All phones have an identifying IMEI number. This number is known by the service provider that provided the phone as it is this number that all bills etc are generated against. What they can do is bar that IEMI number from being able to make contact on their network. That number will then be passed to the other UK networks who will also block that particular unit from being able to use their service.

It IS possible to change the IMEI number, but this is now illegal.

DP

Cool, but does that mean the finder will still be able to use other functions on the fone? Games for instance, or will it make all software on the device unuseable?

lilisdad · 21-11-2005, 19:44

it would be useless as a phone. would only be able to use any offline functions depending on the handset.

21-11-2005, 18:26	#1
ravensbung Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Essex Posts: 996	Lost a phone..... Hi all, I lost my PAYG mobile the other day. I reported it to my provider and they said they will stop it working....does anyone know how they do this? If they send an electronic message, do they wait for a reply to confirm it's death? Do they send a few stop messages or do they just send the one? With this in mind, if someone had the phone "offline" and turned it on again after a while, would it be killed automatically? Or is it network depenedent? Any help would be appreciated........

21-11-2005, 18:32	#2
dawson Posts: n/a	I guess they will do one of 2 things (or preferably both) 1. Block your SIM preventing anyone using the remaining credit on it 2. Blacklist the phone - this will prevent its use on any UK network Normally no messages are sent - they just block.

21-11-2005, 18:33	#3
ravensbung Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Essex Posts: 996	Quote: Originally Posted by dawson I guess they will do one of 2 things 1. Block your SIM preventing anyone using the remaining credit on it 2. Blacklist the phone - this will prevent its use on any UK network Normally no messages are sent - they just block. Yes, I thought so, but my question is, how do they block?

21-11-2005, 18:41	#4
Dr.Phlox Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Rural Tractor Land Posts: 2,583	All phones have an identifying IMEI number. This number is known by the service provider that provided the phone as it is this number that all bills etc are generated against. What they can do is bar that IEMI number from being able to make contact on their network. That number will then be passed to the other UK networks who will also block that particular unit from being able to use their service. It IS possible to change the IMEI number, but this is now illegal. DP

21-11-2005, 19:23	#5
ravensbung Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Essex Posts: 996	Quote: Originally Posted by Dr.Phlox All phones have an identifying IMEI number. This number is known by the service provider that provided the phone as it is this number that all bills etc are generated against. What they can do is bar that IEMI number from being able to make contact on their network. That number will then be passed to the other UK networks who will also block that particular unit from being able to use their service. It IS possible to change the IMEI number, but this is now illegal. DP Cool, but does that mean the finder will still be able to use other functions on the fone? Games for instance, or will it make all software on the device unuseable?

21-11-2005, 19:44	#6
lilisdad Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bristol Posts: 162	it would be useless as a phone. would only be able to use any offline functions depending on the handset.

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Lost a phone.....