Topic 'Re: Should also reduce fraud..' in forum '' - dslreports.com

Re: Should also reduce fraud..

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 14:21:21 EDT

Oh_No posted : If you have an android phone, you can root it and easily change the IMEI number to whatever you want.

With other brands of you phones you can still change the IMEI, it just is more involved.

Re: Should also reduce fraud..

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 08:37:52 EDT

moonpuppy posted :

said by pcdebb:

said by thegeek:

said by 8744675:

On the down side, what is to stop the cell providers from listing someone's old phone once they upgrade to a new one, even if the old one hasn't been stolen? By turning the old phone into a brick, they could force people to buy new phones to get service.

That was my thought as well. I could definitely see Verizon doing this.

wouldnt that be kind of like fraud? they cant say a phone is stolen when it really isnt. Not to mention, when you upgrade a phone they arent taking your old phone.

Try and prove it. Verizon has time and money.

Re: Should also reduce fraud..

Sun, 04 Nov 2012 23:32:23 EDT

thender posted : A large portion of people don't even check ESNs on CDMA phones. Most people don't check IMEI phones on phones they buy.

In the ideal world, people would. In our world.. people don't know the difference between an HTC and an S3 half the time.

Re: Should also reduce fraud..

Sun, 04 Nov 2012 23:31:27 EDT

thender posted : I only see them doing this if you break the contract without paying the ETF. Sending people to collections is a pain in the ass. Making their phone a paperweight is an easy motivator.

Re: Should also reduce fraud..

Sat, 03 Nov 2012 14:20:45 EDT

dennismurphy posted :

said by thegeek:

said by 8744675:

That was my thought as well. I could definitely see Verizon doing this.

No, no, and no.

There is, and has been, a blacklist for stolen and lost phones with VZW. Once an ESN/MEID is on the list, the phone cannot be activated. This is a core part of VZW's anti-fraud efforts, and it amazes me that AT&T is only getting to it now.

And stop talking out your ass - only phones lost or stolen are on the list. When you upgrade your phone, you own it legally. Sheesh.

Re: Should also reduce fraud..

Sat, 03 Nov 2012 11:59:33 EDT

HardwareGeek posted : Actually it is open to everyone, before you buy the phone get the IMEI and call the provider you wish to activate it with. Do you not check the carfax when you buy a car first?
--
Email/MSN: Michael at hardwaregeeks.com AIM: MikeR35292

Re: Should also reduce fraud..

Sat, 03 Nov 2012 11:32:23 EDT

pcdebb posted :

said by thegeek:

said by 8744675:

That was my thought as well. I could definitely see Verizon doing this.

wouldnt that be kind of like fraud? they cant say a phone is stolen when it really isnt. Not to mention, when you upgrade a phone they arent taking your old phone.
--
| map your city |

Re: Should also reduce fraud..

Sat, 03 Nov 2012 08:18:41 EDT

buddahbless posted : Most people report there phones stolen and file police reports because the big 4 are usually lenient if you come to them with a police report and will hand you a free phone, NOW It wont be new ( or the 600 brand new iphone) you lost but they will supply you with a used refurbished 1-2 generation older smartphone (iphone).
I had A friend in NY whos car was broken into the thief saw his Iphone 4s in the cupholder broke the back glass and took the phone only and left the cash that was in the glovebox! He filed a police report took it to ATT and they gave him A used (refurb) Iphone 4 free.

That alone may get a lot of people to file a police report, just to evade purchasing a new phone even if they lost it and it was not stolen.

Re: Should also reduce fraud..

Sat, 03 Nov 2012 07:46:10 EDT

buddahbless posted : Once your out of contract or fulfilled your contract it I'm sure the providers will not only let you unlock your phone but provide you a clean IMEI from that point on. The thing is those people who dont fill out there contract and skip out on it 1/2 way through if they don't pay the ETF there phones IMEI may/will be put on the block list.

This may also change the current rules carriers have for ETF, they may also add on a prorated $ amount on top of the current ETF to cover the phone subsidy as well. dont pay the ETF and prorated phone subsidy amount? phone gets IMEI banned as well.

This can go so many ways...

Re: Should also reduce fraud..

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 19:37:40 EDT

KrK posted : My guess is you have to file a police report.

If you file a fake police report it's a slam dunk win in a civil case if the victim sues you.

A guy I used to work with was once arrested after his neighbor filed a false police report. He spent the night in jail, and then was able to prove his innocence and the charges were dropped. He filed a civil suit against the neighbor and got a nice judgement.
--
"Fascism should more properly be called corporatism because it is the merger of state and corporate power." -- Benito Mussolini

Re: Should also reduce fraud..

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 18:26:44 EDT

plat2on1 posted :

said by Linklist:

said by 8744675:

That might be an issue, but I doubt the Big 4 would do that. It would murder their reputation.

Another issue might be people reporting your phone stolen when it isn't, just to cause you some grief. Say an ex-boyfriend or girlfriend looking to make your life miserable.

if they are able to report your phone stolen they would be able to cancel your account entirely. seems like a non issue to me.

Re: Should also reduce fraud..

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 18:08:48 EDT

Tobester posted :

said by 8744675:

I can't think the cellphone providers would want to do this since most everyone keeps their old phones as a backup device.

Re: Should also reduce fraud..

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 17:52:32 EDT

Simba7 posted :

said by Linklist:

Another issue might be people reporting your phone stolen when it isn't, just to cause you some grief. Say an ex-boyfriend or girlfriend looking to make your life miserable.

That's what I was thinking. This could be abused in so many ways.

You could go further, and get even with your ex-boss with the right information.

Re: Should also reduce fraud..

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 17:45:49 EDT

Linklist posted :

said by 8744675:

Re: Should also reduce fraud..

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 17:28:28 EDT

thegeek posted :

said by 8744675:

That was my thought as well. I could definitely see Verizon doing this.

Re: Should also reduce fraud..

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 17:15:40 EDT

8744675 posted : Cellphone insurance isn't worth a rat's ass! I paid Verizon for handset insurance for 3 years, and when my phone took a dunk in the toilet, the insurance didn't cover squat. I had to pay for a new phone, which they said I would get back after sending in a rebate form, only the model number of the phone they sold me wasn't covered for the rebate.

I think the database should be online and open to everyone. That way, you can check the IMEI before handing over money to someone selling a phone on craigslist. It would cost the cell providers less by eliminating the need to call and tie up their phone reps to find out if a phone is listed as stolen.

On the down side, what is to stop the cell providers from listing someone's old phone once they upgrade to a new one, even if the old one hasn't been stolen? By turning the old phone into a brick, they could force people to buy new phones to get service.

Should also reduce fraud..

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 16:37:11 EDT

Rob posted : No longer will someone be able to give their phone to a friend, then file a police report, and use the cellphone insurance to get another phone. Now if they report it stolen, the IMEI will be added to the database, deactivating the phone.
--
CheckSite.us | YourIP.us | Reverseip.us