[ubuntu-uk] non ubuntu related question! Buying a second hand phone, how can i avoid being scammed?

[Stuart Ward]

Javad

The seller should provide you with a report from checkmend
www.checkmend.com to show that the phone is not currently listed
anywhere. Don't accept a phone that has anything other than all green
indicators.

Once you have the phone, put a SIM in it an make some calls, so that
your operator has a record of the phone being used on your account. If
the phone is subsequently blocked that contact your operator, they
will be able to see which network blocked it and get them to list the
block. If they have records of the phone being used on a legitimate
account (Your SIM) then they can get the other operator to lift the
block.

Only operators have access to the blacklisting process, once an
operator blacklists a IMEI on their network they then post this number
to a central database and all other operators pick this up for
blacklisting. So if your phone is stolen and you report it to your
operator, you can be assured that it is listed at least with all UK
operators. Only the operator that listed a IMEI is capable of lifting
the listing. If your IMEI has been listed by another operator (yes
mistakes happen) then the listing indicates the operator that listed
it so your operator can get the problem resolved. Provided they can
show usage on their network with a valid account this should not be a
problem.

Lastly it is worth listing your IMEI number on IMMOBILISE
www.imobilise.com, This one of the places that the police will check
if they recover a phone, to see if it has been stolen.

The blacklisting processes are managed between the operators in a
forum known as MICAF www.micaf.co.uk There are some useful tips and
contacts on their site. You cant contact micaf directly, you need to
go through your operator.

Stuart


-- Stuart Ward M +44 7782325143