Database Info

seems that Sprint shared my security info....

Has anyone else encountered this problem? It seems that an employee at Sprint shared my password/security information. Received a notice from Asurion (handset insurance provider for Sprint) that someone had ordered a replacement handset through my account......WTF??????? and what to do.......

I suggest you call the handset insurance provider and tell them you did no such thing and would like to know (for security/curiosity reasons) where & to whom the replacement handset is being delivered. Most likely they will need some identifying information from you to make sure you're really you but they should be able to cough that information up if you explain the problem.
Then I'd be on the phone with Sprint trying to figure out who called them to get a replacement handset (I'm assuming you have to go through Sprint to get to the handset insurance company right?). Someone should get fired over that.

In Canada, that's a serious Privacy issue ... not sure how that's dealt with in your state. If you have a better business bureau (ombudsman), get them involved.
Call Sprint ... speak to management directly, not a regular service representative, indicate that you wish to know who effected this request/transaction and that you will be seeking legal consulation.
Call Asurion ... convey the same sentiments.
I both cases, make absolutely certain to deal with management and don't settle for anything less.
I'd also have them compensate you if they wish to have you as a continued customer.
Good luck

Thanks for your thoughts on this.....
I have contacted both Sprint and Asurion regarding this breach of my privacy. I appreciate your thoughts and your replies Hilaireg and l33tphreak. Hopefully they (Sprint and Asurion) will be able to verify that this handset replacement request was not authorized by me..... Mostly I just wanted to let people out there know that this is occurring. The scariest part of it all is that a password is needed to order a handset replacement through Sprint or Asurion, and here's the kicker: The only ones that know my password information are ME and SPRINT. I think I will be changing my password regularly from this point forward. Hope this doesn't happen to others.....

The scary thing is that Sprint often doesn't pay attention to the password. I had one placed upon my account with them because of my mother using my name and social to order crazy expensive stuff and had me footing the bill, I had to call a number of times to sort out where they neglected to verify it and let her order. Hell, there were even a few times I called and they didn't do more than verify my name and number in the first place, not even the last four of my social and password. Finally, in the end, I cancelled my account completely, paid to disconnect all lines while they all had active contracts, then they still let her do it again! I called them one last time, they wouldn't remove the charges, so I just let it go and they disconnected it for non-payment, I have medical bills up the backside now after having my daughter, so I'm not worried about it on my credit.

is there a way to buy a contract phones from store wo SSN???

Hi,
Guys, I wanna buy an at&t phone that requires a new contract, However I dont have SSN... i know i cant do that online but can i buy one from a store ( att store, fry's, bestbuy,...) and tell the store keeper that i'm gonna activate online to avoid him asking for my SSN, can i do that??
also, I read somewhere on the web that if i entered the ssn as all 9's the credit check will fail and att will propose to convert the contract account into prepaid, is that true..
thanks,
Engineer

they will check your credit upon purchase, not activation.
If you sign up for a 2year contract to get the discounted phone and don't have a ssn, this means you don't work in the US or have permanent residence. To give a fake one constitutes fraud, theft, etc.
Your best bet is to find yourself a phone on eBay or other sales source and see if you can get it activated without doing anything you shouldn't do.

engineer05 said:
Hi,
Guys, I wanna buy an at&t phone that requires a new contract, However I dont have SSN... i know i cant do that online but can i buy one from a store ( att store, fry's, bestbuy,...) and tell the store keeper that i'm gonna activate online to avoid him asking for my SSN, can i do that??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't want to pry into why you are in the US and don't have an SSN, but you generally need one to obtain any sort of credit in the US.
If you have a legitimate reason for not having an SSN (for example, I used to have a restricted K visa that did not allow work) then you can apply to the SSA for a non-work SSN.
When you receive the card it will be endorsed to say that you cannot work but it should be sufficient to register for credit.
I forget the exact details of the process, but you can get a form from their website, http://www.ssa.gov
Failing that, your only option would be to buy a handset online for cash.

MrHorus,
He could be an international student. International students are not allowed to obtain SSNs from the Social Security Department unless if they have a legitimate employment offer somewhere, which will most likely be an on-campus employment.
And TC, don't bother going around the system, it's been around much longer and whatever loopholes you think you can exploit will be more than likely met with brick walls the size of Texas.
Go and get employed wherever you are and then apply for a SSN (and stop thinking you even have a chance of going around the system, cause if you even had a chance of going around it, you wouldn't have asked XDA for help on the matter).
I don't mean to be harsh, just want to make sure I get my point across.
Good day.
MrHorus said:
I don't want to pry into why you are in the US and don't have an SSN, but you generally need one to obtain any sort of credit in the US.
If you have a legitimate reason for not having an SSN (for example, I used to have a restricted K visa that did not allow work) then you can apply to the SSA for a non-work SSN.
When you receive the card it will be endorsed to say that you cannot work but it should be sufficient to register for credit.
I forget the exact details of the process, but you can get a form from their website, http://www.ssa.gov
Failing that, your only option would be to buy a handset online for cash.
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Click to collapse

[Q] Buying a used phone on craigslist (Verizon)

I'm meeting someone from craigslist to buy a used Verizon phone and I have a couple of questions. I am going to meet them at a store, but there are no official Verizon stores around, only a Wireless Zone (which is an authorized Verizon retailer I believe). Will they be able to activate the phone on my account and confirm that the ESN is clear? (i.e. am I able to guarantee the phone won't be marked stolen at a later date if it is activated on my account?) Or is this the type of thing that should only be done at a real Verizon store? Any other advice for buying phones on craigslist?

winterknoll said:
I'm meeting someone from craigslist to buy a used Verizon phone and I have a couple of questions. I am going to meet them at a store, but there are no official Verizon stores around, only a Wireless Zone (which is an authorized Verizon retailer I believe). Will they be able to activate the phone on my account and confirm that the ESN is clear? (i.e. am I able to guarantee the phone won't be marked stolen at a later date if it is activated on my account?) Or is this the type of thing that should only be done at a real Verizon store? Any other advice for buying phones on craigslist?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been here before. When you see your new phone, yank the battery, take your current phone dial *611, then get to customer service. Tell them you are buying a used phone and you want to make sure the ESN is ok to activate on your account.
They will ask for the ESN of the phone, then they'll give the OK, good or bad. They will tell you if the phone is ok to activate or not, that will be what you need to move on and buy it.
What ever the seller says, could be bull...so MAKE SURE YOU CALL.
Wireless zone MIGHT help but, they are a 3rd party, they might not help at all or charge you something for checking. Calling Verizon directly might be your best bet here. You'll be able to do this all on-line too...
Don't forget to hit thanks if this helped

Thanks David..if I'm not the account holder, will I need any sort of PIN or passcode do you know?

winterknoll said:
Thanks David..if I'm not the account holder, will I need any sort of PIN or passcode do you know?
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Click to collapse
To access your account, the automated system asks for the last 4 of the SS number of the account holder.
Customer service is pretty good over all, so if your dialing in from a Verizon phone, and you get by the logon prompts fine, you should be all set.
Do you have a verizon phone now ? If so, just hit *611 and see if the option to get to customer service is presented to you, if so, it should be all set for you when you go check out your new phone.
Edit: Another thought, if you have been talking voice wise to the seller, as him/her for the ESN number so you can check out the phone, then call CS. When you get to see him/her, you just gota open the back cover and make sure you have the right ESN that he/she gave you.

[Q] friend bought a phone online, seller reported it stolen. please help

It was working when she got it. Suddenly on wednesday morning, it says "restricted access changed" and when she tries to select T-mobile as carrier it says not permitted on sim card. She went into tmobile and they checked the IMEI and it turns out the user reported it lost. She called the seller and he says he didn't do anything and is not answering calls now.
Is there anything she can do? Go to the police? wrong forum?
Guessing it could also have been a stolen phone that the guy sold off right away and the original owner just reported it.

Unless the owner that reported it stolen calls back to T-Mobile and says it wasn't stolen there is nothing you can do. I would stay away from the police since your friend has received stolen property. Unless they want to give it back to the owner.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

she got scammed, and has the phone number and craigslist listing, and the fact that the original owner already reported it stolen. Why stay away from cops?

Because receiving stolen property is a crime? Do what you want with the criminal aspect of it, but you won't be able to use that device until it comes off the lost/stolen list. Sorry.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

Receiving stolen property knowingly is a crime. You basically got scammed so there's no issue in reporting it to the police. Chances are however, they will do nothing to help you. It will probably be more of a hassle for you, and you won't get your money back or the status of the phone changed, but, it may stop the person from doing it to someone else.
Sorry but I think your friend is out of luck.
Buying used phones is fine but I would limit it to either people I know or actual businesses not individuals. I bought mine on Ebay, but through a retailer that have sold thousands of phones with good seller feedback.

You can go straight to the cops, does she have a receipt or bill of sale at all? That's the biggest thing. If she does then she shouldn't be in trouble
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

faehsemc said:
You can go straight to the cops, does she have a receipt or bill of sale at all? That's the biggest thing. If she does then she shouldn't be in trouble
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
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Click to collapse
Very true. If she has a confirmation or receipt for the sale, then she should be good. Ya, it could be a hassle, is it worth it? Is it worth stopping this a-hole from doing this to someone else?
This biggest thing is, was the phone stolen or lost from a different person other then the seller? I am sure t-mobile can trace the original owner through the imei number.
Sent from my PACmaned SCH-I535

I have bought several phones from individuals on craigslist; to avoid the situation you describe here you must do one simple thing. Before you by the phone pull the battery, call verizon customer service. Read the EIN number to them and they will tell you if the phone has been reported stolen. If the seller refuses to let you do this then you can assume the phone is stolen… don't walk… run away!
Verizon is happy to provide this information to you and you are assured that you are getting a clean phone.
Hope this helps in future purchases.
Rick
nvertigo said:
It was working when she got it. Suddenly on wednesday morning, it says "restricted access changed" and when she tries to select T-mobile as carrier it says not permitted on sim card. She went into tmobile and they checked the IMEI and it turns out the user reported it lost. She called the seller and he says he didn't do anything and is not answering calls now.
Is there anything she can do? Go to the police? wrong forum?
Guessing it could also have been a stolen phone that the guy sold off right away and the original owner just reported it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

GTablet said:
I have bought several phones from individuals on craigslist; to avoid the situation you describe here you must do one simple thing. Before you by the phone pull the battery, call verizon customer service. Read the EIN number to them and they will tell you if the phone has been reported stolen. If the seller refuses to let you do this then you can assume the phone is stolen… don't walk… run away!
Verizon is happy to provide this information to you and you are assured that you are getting a clean phone.
Hope this helps in future purchases.
Rick
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The issue was with tmobile not Verizon.

The problem with that strategy is that the phone was not reported as stolen until after she already had purchased the phone. Most people do not report their phone stolen right away because they are hoping that they will still find it. In that time someone can sell the phone which still has a clean ESN. It wouldn't become bad until the original owner reported it which is probably what happened in her case. The phone had a clean ESN days after she purchased it.
It does bring up an interesting thought. At what point does the ESN transfer to the new account? It would have to at some point, otherwise someone who owned the phone 4 years ago could still report it stolen. And it could be not immediately otherwise there would be no point in being able to report it stolen because the person who stole it would have control over the ESN just be activating it.
I'll have to ask a friend who's a manager of Sprint store.

rtan73 said:
The problem with that strategy is that the phone was not reported as stolen until after she already had purchased the phone. Most people do not report their phone stolen right away because they are hoping that they will still find it. In that time someone can sell the phone which still has a clean ESN. It wouldn't become bad until the original owner reported it which is probably what happened in her case. The phone had a clean ESN days after she purchased it.
It does bring up an interesting thought. At what point does the ESN transfer to the new account? It would have to at some point, otherwise someone who owned the phone 4 years ago could still report it stolen. And it could be not immediately otherwise there would be no point in being able to report it stolen because the person who stole it would have control over the ESN just be activating it.
I'll have to ask a friend who's a manager of Sprint store.
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Click to collapse
On Verizon the esn always remains in the history of your account even if you clear it for sell and is used by another account.

I know they have a history of it, but at one point ownership had to be transferred like a car. Otherwise I could sell my phone to someone then report it stolen 2 years later which would make the phone obsolete without the actual owners permission or knowledge. Or, if the phone had several owners it can't be that all of the previous owners have the right to claim it as stolen indefinetly. There has to be a time limit to when a new account is linked to an ESN and the old account holder no longer can claim it as stolen. That would be the time frame that a person would have to sell a stolen phone.

rtan73 said:
I know they have a history of it, but at one point ownership had to be transferred like a car. Otherwise I could sell my phone to someone then report it stolen 2 years later which would make the phone obsolete without the actual owners permission or knowledge. Or, if the phone had several owners it can't be that all of the previous owners have the right to claim it as stolen indefinetly. There has to be a time limit to when a new account is linked to an ESN and the old account holder no longer can claim it as stolen. That would be the time frame that a person would have to sell a stolen phone.
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Click to collapse
As long as it's active on your account it's safe but if you take it off an active line it can still be activated or reported stolen from a previous owner. I had it happen to me before. The time gap was around 2 years or so.

It does not matter which company it was...they all will check the EIN before you buy the phone...
PaulG1488 said:
The issue was with tmobile not Verizon.
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It is always a good idea to get a bill off sale making sure you note the serial numbers, etc. Also have them fill out their information as it is on their drivers license or identification.

Customer Service and Samsung Trade-in, PLEASE HELP!!

Hello Forum,
I'm interestted in the S10 preorder offer and I've been contacting Samsung customer service to get some info about the trade-in program and their answers has been completely contradictory. I've called at least 4 times and every time I received a different answer.
My case is that I have an S8+ that I would like to trade, I have this phone with tmobile under an EIP and still have some payments left on it.*In the trade-in FAQ here:*https://www.samsung.com/us/trade-in/frequently-asked-questions/* ...... you can read:
"The device I’m trading in is one that I bought using an equal payment or other financing plan, and I still have payments left on it. Can I still trade it in?
Yes – however, please note that all remaining payments on the device you’re trading in are your responsibility. You may also be subject to additional fees. Check with your current carrier for details."
However, every time I talked with the customer servive reps at Samsung they give me a differet answer, some says that I have to pay in full, another say no need, other say they can not guarantee that I will meet the requirements ..... whats happening here?? Its really confusing and I'm shocked with the lack of knoledge and / or training of the Samsungs CSRs.*
Anyone can help, PLEASE?? Anyone with a real experience about this matter?? I would appreciate any input ....... Thanks a lot!!

I'm wondering the same. Cant pass up $550 for a note 8 trade in. Sounds to good to be true. I went ahead and ordered and will take my chances. If they low ball me or wont take it then i'll have them send it back. I could send my s8+ but they only want to give $200 or maybe its $300 for that. It's paid for from ATT and sim unlocked. I'd rather keep that around as a spare. It's worth $300. The note 8 is not worth $550, hopefully they'll take it. It's still on someones ATT account because they wont let me unlock it. Said i still owed. I bought it new in box for $50 right before the Note 9's came out lol. Been using it as my daily driver. Someone probably got the buy one get one free deal then decided they wanted some Crack too. In the right place at the right time.

gunner007dc said:
If it's under an EIP, then you can trade it in. (Logic is you technically own the device, just being financed) However, once traded in, your monthly fee for the device is still due each month even though you no longer have the phone. (Until it's paid in full) So at some point you will need to pay off the phone regardless
If you're under something like JUMP by t-mobile, these types of phones are considered leases, and are ineligible for trade-ins due to the fact they need to be returned to the provider at the end of their terms.
As far as requirements, mainly that the IMEI / ESN are clean. If at some point you failed to continue making payments or such and the device is blacklisted, they may deduct/charge back/return device.
It also depends if you plan on staying with T-Mobile or not. You'd be unable to port out your number with a EIP attached to it without paying off the device in full.
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Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply ...... Today I received an email from Samsung regarding my reservation and they are calling the trade-in program "enhanced trade-in", any idea of what does it mean? its just another Samsung promotional tactic??