[Q] Stolen Phone came online, reward for return or forget it? - General Questions and Answers

Much like many of the similar threads I've read, I'm looking for some advice on what to do regarding a missing phone.
Over the holidays my wife's phone, a MyTouch 4G (with Creamed Glacier 4.0.3) was left on a plane in NYC and we live in Ohio. Over the next few hours I installed Plan B, Android Lost, and got nowhere. Coincidentally I had bought my wife a Nexus 4 for Christmas so after a few days we gave up on it. Then about a month after that, some photos started showing up in the Dropbox Camera Uploads folder!
Reinvigorated I started up Android Lost again and got a status reply! It is in NYC, I've got a subscriber ID, an IP from T-Mobile, and the IMEI, plus some other things. Although I can't get an exact GPS lock, I'm hopeful I can.
In principal I would like to have her phone back as it probably has some pictures of our baby on there and well, because it's ours. However, I'm not likely to go track this down in another state and NYC of all places.
So my question is, should I use Android Lost to try and display a message, offering maybe $50 for the phone back hoping for the best? Should I try to remote wipe it and give up on it? And/or contact T-Mobile and report the IMEI as stolen so it's hopefully unusable?
Any other suggestions?
Take care,
Steve

I wouldn't go looking for it in person or suggest another civilian do so - that's just an awful idea. Sure, it might be in the hands of a kind little old lady, but taking that kind of risk for $50 is pretty foolish.
Contact carrier and local law enforcement - I'd talk to the carrier first as they might be able to take care of the latter without you having to do anything.
I also wouldn't try to request a reward. I mean, maybe if they were harmless, but I'm personally a bit paranoid about giving my address to random people - especially those who'd just take a lost phone instead of turning it into a lost-and-found.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using xda app-developers app

Pennycake said:
I wouldn't go looking for it in person or suggest another civilian do so - that's just an awful idea. Sure, it might be in the hands of a kind little old lady, but taking that kind of risk for $50 is pretty foolish.
Contact carrier and local law enforcement - I'd talk to the carrier first as they might be able to take care of the latter without you having to do anything.
I also wouldn't try to request a reward. I mean, maybe if they were harmless, but I'm personally a bit paranoid about giving my address to random people - especially those who'd just take a lost phone instead of turning it into a lost-and-found.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using xda app-developers app
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Click to collapse
Your first concern i have edited out. I was hesitant after typing it but couldnt make an edit within 5 minutes. I certainly dont want someone trying to look for it for me.
I did contact Columbus police but understandably not much they will do for a phone. But back to the message i can use a disposable email and the address of a PO Box. But it comes down going to the trouble and having to let go of it.
I think I'll attempt a wipe then submit it as a stolen imei.
steve

Ok, so I don't think the wipe is going to work because I didn't set up the admin rights from the start.
Our main concern is getting her data off there or at least preventing access to it. Is there another application I can remotely install that will do this without having to be present to activate anything? Or I would assume just changing all the passwords should force the application to log out next time it phones home. For example, Dropbox, Skype, and GMail are think are everything. Plus, would like to wipe her old SMS messages too.
We haven't changed the Google password yet just because I had the hope of pushing down more apps if necessary. Or will it affect my ability to reach Android Lost?
Thanks again.

Related

T-Mobile courtesy call...

Anyone else get these?
I just got my first (and hopefully last one). It came up as T-Mobile on the phone caller ID, and really messed me up for what I was doing at the time.
This is the first call that has gone in or out of this phone since I got it, no one has my number and it really threw me off...wasn't expecting it. I was a little pissed that I had to start my memory test over again. Not cool.
I couldn't figure out wtf they wanted, i'm paid up on my next few expected bills already, so I called back on my other phone and that's when I found out it was just a "how do you like our service" call.
Well, I gave them a little bit of an earful explaining how I liked it a lot better before that call came in. That's when I found out I could register with T-Mobile to put T-Mobile on my "do not call" registry - lol, gave me a chuckle.
They said it would take up to 30 days for it to take effect, which is about how long i've had this phone. Anyone else get these calls? Think I could expect another one or more before they get blocked?
( Sorry guys, general is the closest thing to off-topic to ask this senseless question )
Honestly I appreciate that they called cause I got a cheaper rate for my wife and me. Obviously they didn't know you were performing a test on your phone, but I can see how frustrating that can be, especially if you hadn't even given the number out to anyone. And since you've registered on their own do not call list so you should be fine. I got a call about a month ago and they haven't kept calling or anything like that, I think they just went through a wave of calls to everyone. And now that the AT&T merger is less likely, they're probably not as worried about retention.
Okay - I've about had it with T-mobile.
I should be sleeping right now. I work pretty much around the clock, my job is to serve many different clients at all hours of the day and night.
The opportunities I do have to sleep are not many, and necessary. And yet they keep calling me for who knows what reasons.
I pay all my bills ahead of time. There are multiple "do not call this person" messages in my account when it gets pulled up on the computer.
And they still call. Who knows what for this time, but I'm pissed and woe to the T-mo store rep who is gonna get a piece of my mind when I'm awake enough to drive.
I am gonna go talk to sprint reps at the stores I see around in my travels. When I find one who can work with me on buying out my t-mo contract, they're history.
It's not like I haven't repeatedly told them to not call me, add me to do not call lists, and made it known that this is a problem to me. But, my needs are irrelevant to this company, apparently, and they don't care how much they inconvenience me, so why should I give them money?
Sent from my Bulletproof_Doubleshot using xda premium
Blue6IX said:
Okay - I've about had it with T-mobile.
I should be sleeping right now. I work pretty much around the clock, my job is to serve many different clients at all hours of the day and night.
The opportunities I do have to sleep are not many, and necessary. And yet they keep calling me for who knows what reasons.
I pay all my bills ahead of time. There are multiple "do not call this person" messages in my account when it gets pulled up on the computer.
And they still call. Who knows what for this time, but I'm pissed and woe to the T-mo store rep who is gonna get a piece of my mind when I'm awake enough to drive.
I am gonna go talk to sprint reps at the stores I see around in my travels. When I find one who can work with me on buying out my t-mo contract, they're history.
It's not like I haven't repeatedly told them to not call me, add me to do not call lists, and made it known that this is a problem to me. But, my needs are irrelevant to this company, apparently, and they don't care how much they inconvenience me, so why should I give them money?
Sent from my Bulletproof_Doubleshot using xda premium
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Click to collapse
I would say call and demand to speak with retentions, tell them your problem....and of the previous requests....and demand compensation for their auto dialer calls still
Yea, I was definitely cranky a little while ago.
I got myself together and went to the nearest T-Mo store. I dealt with a rep who helped me to the limit of his clearance/ability, which is all I can ask for from that point of contact.
I was obviously irate and aggravated, but made sure to be as polite as possible and explain my issue as completely as I could. The last time I went through all this I had them put in a notation on my account that I am documenting this harassment so that if it hits the point that I have to switch I will be contesting any attempt at charging an early termination fee, and is something I mention on every audio recorded conversation with them now.
I am really trying to make this work, and making every attempt at being as patient as possible, but the time between when I first posted about this and now there have been a bunch of calls from them I haven't mentioned here. My first posting about this was August 31st, and here I am in the beginning of February STILL having to call customer service and telling them not to call me.
I have incoming calls blocked on my phone number with them, the only people who can get through ARE T-Mobile. There should be multiple notations on my account about not calling me. My account has been in good standing since I started it - always paid in full and on time. Always for more then what's needed so i'm ahead of my bill. I've brought other people into T-Mobile who have switched based on what they've seen me do with this device - and this is documented too through refer a friend.
Given all that, that should make me an ideal customer that they want to keep happy. I can't figure out why they are trying their hardest to make me hate them, but it's working. I don't hesitate to speak good about companies that deserve it - be it through exceptional products, or service, or whatever... and i'm hesitant to speak ill on companies in general unless they do something really bad.
For me to have come back here and dug up this post earlier while I was all groggy and waking up from their intrusion, i'm hitting the point of writing T-Mo off as a loss, as posting all my little problems along the way was a triviality I didn't indulge in.
By the time I do hit retentions, I doubt there's gonna be anything they can do for me to keep me with their service. I'm not gonna ask to be bumped to retentions, they'll send me there if they push me to the point of switching. By that time I will have a very well documented list of grievances with the dates, times and names of all people i've talked to and everything that was supposed to be done.
After 6 months I expect to be able to sleep when I need it (which happens to be during 'normal' business hours) and not be bothered by my carrier, whom i've repeatedly explained to why they shouldn't be calling me at that time. If they're going to make it harder for me to earn the money to pay them for their service, i'll find someone who isn't going to place that burden on my life.
I dunno - sorry for the rant, just needed to vent a bit before calling customer service this time to sort it out again. I just got in from the store, i'm going to relax and take a wander around the woods where I took the pictures in the picture thread and see about doing some more work on that for a bit. It's about the same time of day I took them before. Then i'll come back and call customer service.
I took off for the night tonight, I rarely do so it's no problem, but by the time I got in to work tonight i'd be so wound up I wouldn't be productive. Instead i've got like 30 hours left in a forum project i've been working on for here, so i'll ignore the world and do that with my time instead. I'll feel a lot better channeling all my frustration into the energy to do something positive...see if I can drag something worthwhile out of this.
Edit:
And to be fair here, it's the phone calls that are the source of my aggravation. Signal is great, I get good reception all over the place and the network itself is awesome.
I also have no issues with billing or anything like that, it's just these random calls that are getting to me.
I actually just got a call from them a few minutes ago
Sent from my myTouch_4G_Slide using Tapatalk
what exactly do they talk about?
he just asked a few questions like if im satisfied with the service etc
Sent from my myTouch_4G_Slide using Tapatalk
I have gotten four of these in the past eight years.
Sent from my myTouch_4G_Slide using Tapatalk
Never have....been with T mobile for ~10 years
Just my spare change.
This is why Airplane Mode is on your phones.
Delivered via candygram for Mr. Mongo.
The point is he can't turn it on that because he needs to b available for clients, as I read it?
Also he's on the no call list which is why he's upset.
Just my spare change.
No, don't do cellular calls at all. Do do a lot of push mail and data use.
...and now i'm getting text messages from them...at least two so far today. Asking how i like their service, and if i'd refer anyone to T-mobile.
Well, i used too and have - documented with them that i've used their refer a friend for customers in current good standing.
The answer is no, I will no longer be referring anyone to T-Mobile, to the text messages they are sending me. If they could've just left me alone, fine, but now it's my mission to talk people out of T-mobile service, they've irked me to no end.
I spend all this time investing in talking to their customer service and reps trying to get them to stop calling and bothering me, and now they're starting in on the text messaging.
"oh, but it's free" ... but the aggravation on top of my current gripe is not, and something like this just throws fuel on the fire of my frustration.
If I owed them money, or something, fine - but I don't, they have no reason to be pestering me like this, it's as if because I DON'T want them to they are doing it more.
I will be actively soliciting offers from other carriers now, I don't have to put up with this.
That is crazy. I've been with them since Voicestream and not once received a courtesy call lol. Seems to me someone is jerking your chain, not cool.
Sent from my HTC Vision using xda premium
mrbmg said:
That is crazy. I've been with them since Voicestream and not once received a courtesy call lol. Seems to me someone is jerking your chain, not cool.
Sent from my HTC Vision using xda premium
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Maybe Undeads jealous of his rom so he's doing it?
Kidding!
Just my spare change.
I've never got one. I get plenty of calls and texts around bill time if I'm a tad behind. Been with them over 12 years.
Sent from my Bulletproof_Doubleshot using Tapatalk
You guys COULD just keep up with some of the deals they offer new customers and every time they call, just bytch about them not making you that offer and asking them about free stuff they can make it up to you with. BELIEVE ME, they'll quit calling before you know it. LOL
this app is good for call blocking.
"If you have root, we guarantee that you will not find a more reliable app. Unlike all other call filters, Root Call Blocker silently blocks calls at a system level. You need not even know its working and can choose to be notified only if specific people are blocked. "
https://market.android.com/details?id=fahrbot.apps.rootcallblocker.beta&hl=en

Anti-theft set-up

First of all, why don't I just write this in an existing thread? Because I don't want this post to get buried. I think I've come up with a perfect anti-theft setup.
(1) Go to google and setup a new account. Password for this account should be something easy for you to remember. Do not add this account to your tablet. You also do not want to use this account for your everyday emailing.
(2) Go to market and buy the app "gotya". It's only $2 or so. Come on, morning coffee costs more than this.
(3) Go into gotya and setup so that gotya will email a picture and gps coordinate every time the tablet is turned on or brought out of sleep. Delay taking a picture by a few seconds to make sure the user is looking into the tablet.
(4) Put the email account you just setup into gotya. This email is a complete record of who's been using the tablet. Most of the time, it will be you. But if your tablet is ever stolen or lost, all you have to do is go into this email account and look at the last time it was turned on for picture of user and location.
(5) Don't forget to password protect gotya.
(6) DO NOT password or lock your tablet. The point of this setup is you want the thief to be able to log into your tablet so he can log into wifi so gotya can email the info to you. If the thief is logged out, he can simply nvflash, factory reset, hard reset, or sell it at a pawn shop. You want to encourage him (or her) to use the tablet at least once so you can get a good picture and gps coordinate of the thief for the police.
(7) The app gotya will run quietly in the background for all times. It consumes the absolute minimal resources. In fact, your tablet can even go into deep sleep. Gotya really is a well written app.
(8) Again, do not put the gotya email into your email account to sync on your tablet. You don't want the thief to know you're keeping track of his whereabouts and his face.
hmm. this may be cool to setup in the future. my tf doesnt leave the house at all really so theres no need quite yet. lol good post though OP!
very interesting, thanks for sharing. Would be interested in what fellow xoomers or eepaders have to say about this setup
definitely getting this for my tablet
cerberus is pretty much the same as this and as alot of nice features
salbalboa said:
cerberus is pretty much the same as this and as alot of nice features
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Click to collapse
Please elaborate.
locks the device,emails you the location and takes pictures also can wipe data all from a web page. i use this on my phone aswell as the tf.
salbalboa said:
locks the device,emails you the location and takes pictures also can wipe data all from a web page. i use this on my phone aswell as the tf.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How does it know when to lock the device?
It wouldn't stop the thief to boot into recovery right away and wipe the device, would it? So, it might be a nice protection against a crime of opportunity, but nothing against someone who knows what he's doing.
pypen said:
It wouldn't stop the thief to boot into recovery right away and wipe the device, would it? So, it might be a nice protection against a crime of opportunity, but nothing against someone who knows what he's doing.
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Click to collapse
Just for kicks, I've been asking random people the past 5 days or so if they know how to boot into recovery on an android device. So far, no one has said yes.
What are the chances that the thief would know how to wipe the device?
Any security system can be bypassed if you have the know-how. This doesn't prevent we have security systems all over the place. Why? Because not many have the know-how.
goodintentions said:
I think I've come up with a perfect anti-theft setup.
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Click to collapse
I think your name fits you well. It is obvious you have the best of intentions. However, a thief that knows ANYTHING about tech would open it up, and then before doing anything else (such as connecting to wifi) would just factory reset it. At least that is what I would do with any stolen tech I took (assuming I would...and if our economy keeps tanking I might have to become a thief). Even with open wifi, if you don't already have that SSID setup, it wouldn't connect without input.
So unless the person was dumb enough to not only open it up, but then connect to a wifi source first, this would never work. Your best bet would be to hope they were either really stupid in general, or a really stupid identity thief that would want your personal data intact while using it.
Basically, your best anti-theft practices would be to always keep your **** with you. Don't leave it in the car, don't leave it sitting on a table at a coffee shop while you go take a piss, etc. Mine never leaves my side when I'm out and about with it. So the only way someone is getting it from me is either by gunpoint or magic.
I have a story to tell. So, a long time ago in another life I worked as a cop. Patrolled along the highway during the nighttime. One night, and it was a boring slow night, I decided to pull over a car that was going about 15 or so over and was going to give him a warning. Nothing else to do. When I walked up to him, the first thing I saw was him eating something. As we talked, I could see weed all over his teeth. The guy ate a bag of weed. Told him to step out. A bag of rock cocaine fell out of his pocket.
I walked away from my law enforcement career knowing most criminals out there are stoopid. And no matter how tough or tough looking they are, they all cry once busted. Sure, there are some brilliant ones out there. But I'm sure chances are you will lose your TF to a dumb one. The odds are against a smart criminal stealing your TF.
Anyway, you are absolutely right. My method isn't fool proof. But think about it for a moment. The email account for this purpose will have a detail record of who and where turns the TF on or bring it out of sleep. All it takes is a connection to wifi and the app will email all its records.
That said, my TF doesn't leave my side either LOL.
I really wish they would enable wireless/GPS tracking right into the ROM so you can look it up based on serial number. I wonder if I should patent the idea so I can sue Apple and others when they finally get around to implementing it on tablets... Hmmm....
Not sure if it works on tablets, but my wife lost her Android phone and I used Android Track to get it back - I even installed it after the phone was lost. It does quite a bit like location tracking, remote wipe, takes pictures, records audio, will say something using text-to-speech, can view the call log, etc. Free too
-- Sent from my HP TouchPad using Communities
ExploreMN said:
I really wish they would enable wireless/GPS tracking right into the ROM so you can look it up based on serial number. I wonder if I should patent the idea so I can sue Apple and others when they finally get around to implementing it on tablets... Hmmm....
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Click to collapse
Isnt that already in the iphone? They had that big invasion of privacy thing on the news.
If you made it an optional etc though that would be cool and different.
Sent from my tf101 using xda premium 1.54Ghz
A good companion for this is App Locker. It pops up a fake FC screen. You can lock stuff you don't want them to see. pic/mail/ect. It has a feature that if you unlock one app, they all unlock, then locks when screen turns off/on.
Check it out.
https://market.android.com/details?id=net.xdevelop.protector&hl=en
I like the OP's idea. I also think this thread betrays some peoples naiveity. If you are going to steal someones computer: go for broke. See what data of value you can scavenge out of it, THEN do a factory reset. You might find more ROI on the risk of having stole the darn thing, and hey, if you're gonna be a thief, may as well do it right lol.
Does anyone else wonder if ICS's face unlock stuff can handle beards or just photo prints? LOL. Edit: Looks like the photo-print idea has already been tested.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk

Automatic Self Destroy / Wipe

Well I had the misfortune of getting all of my stuff stolen by some crooked F****r
This happen to include my Infuse, nice and shiny
I am really... really ticked... so I was curious
Is there such a thing as a program or condition that one could put into their phone where a security test would be frequently asked (something that isn't annoying but catches unauthorized users) to verify the authorized user ie owner of the device?
Also the program would have to be have some leniency as I don't want it to brick itself when I ask somebody to check my messages of course I would tell them the code or trick whatever it may be.
I need something that when the phone is in jeopardy, it will destroy the device as well as all of the data that has accumulated on this device...
I just hate... absolutely hate with the blackest black like a black hole of hatred, when I have this feeling of "some bastard out there is freely running through my device" and I can't do **** about it.
Which happens to have past data on it, even if my SIM is terminated and my phone is cut off... there is still the numbers, photos, messages and such
Man I tell you, these lowlife scums... really? I was in a college cafeteria, I have my coat sitting there in front of everyone, I was sitting alone, I get up to get some fruit, when I come back, the coat is gone.
Yeah I left it unattended but at the same time you have to consider the fact that maybe these humans have something called morals in their little brains.
It's like... WTF
Plus the University Police's cameras suck... you would think that their capability of funding a $60 million dollar building, that perhaps they could install cameras which could do more than just differentiate whether a human is a girl or a guy.
Anyways... aside from all this bull
What can you guys think of... is there something like this?
I may just make it myself if something like this isn't already made, I'm so pissed
I just wanted to kill whoever this person was (not really as I could never do that) but man I was about ready to pick up this desk and hurl it at the window...
Thank you guys in advance for the read and perhaps an answer to my question.
Sorry for your loss.
SeekDroid is my phone's best friend. You can locate, lock, force an alarm, and wipe the phone from a computer. You can also see the phone number of the sim, along with a list of the last 10 placed calls. On top of all this, you can also force the app to hide on the phone so that nobody can uninstall it. Insanely cheap for what it offers.
GreenAce92 said:
Well I had the misfortune of getting all of my stuff stolen by some crooked F****r
This happen to include my Infuse, nice and shiny
I am really... really ticked... so I was curious
Is there such a thing as a program or condition that one could put into their phone where a security test would be frequently asked (something that isn't annoying but catches unauthorized users) to verify the authorized user ie owner of the device?
Also the program would have to be have some leniency as I don't want it to brick itself when I ask somebody to check my messages of course I would tell them the code or trick whatever it may be.
I need something that when the phone is in jeopardy, it will destroy the device as well as all of the data that has accumulated on this device...
I just hate... absolutely hate with the blackest black like a black hole of hatred, when I have this feeling of "some bastard out there is freely running through my device" and I can't do **** about it.
Which happens to have past data on it, even if my SIM is terminated and my phone is cut off... there is still the numbers, photos, messages and such
Man I tell you, these lowlife scums... really? I was in a college cafeteria, I have my coat sitting there in front of everyone, I was sitting alone, I get up to get some fruit, when I come back, the coat is gone.
Yeah I left it unattended but at the same time you have to consider the fact that maybe these humans have something called morals in their little brains.
It's like... WTF
Plus the University Police's cameras suck... you would think that their capability of funding a $60 million dollar building, that perhaps they could install cameras which could do more than just differentiate whether a human is a girl or a guy.
Anyways... aside from all this bull
What can you guys think of... is there something like this?
I may just make it myself if something like this isn't already made, I'm so pissed
I just wanted to kill whoever this person was (not really as I could never do that) but man I was about ready to pick up this desk and hurl it at the window...
Thank you guys in advance for the read and perhaps an answer to my question.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sure there is a lock out there that will wipe data or whatever you want if you get the passcode wrong a certain amount of times. You should use a screen lock from now on though... quick and easy for everyday use. And when something happens like this at least you know the dickhead has a paperweight and can't get past the lockscreen. You can also password lock the sim card too. I'm sorry about your stolen device. :/
Sent from my Samsung Infuse
Thank you guys for the condolences
DangKid
How much is this app? It's a one time buy right?
The thing is, how helpful are these things when the phone is off? I guess the criminal would have to turn the phone on at some point
The main thing that concerns me (besides the fact that it's stolen) is the data still being on there, it's my privacy you know? I am entitled to it just like everyone else, as private as one can get here in the US anyways which I would say is pretty good... anyways
slapshot30
I used to use screen locks, I just got annoyed by it
I just have the little puzzle piece (or had)
I just want the phone to be useless, although if there was a chance for me to get it back, I'd like to be able to restore it (bricking I guess is what this is)
I just want to scream "MY BABY!!!! IT'S MISSING!!!!!" In a girl shrieking voice hahaha
Anyways, thanks guys I will heed your warnings and look into this app
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
What about the condition that the phone would terminate itself when it detects that someone else is using the phone
Say it gives you three tries to enter the authorization code
The unbricking would be easy (due to the way the app is programmed) so that if I accidentally bricked it on myself by not entering the code right, it wouldn't be a hassle to restore it.
GreenAce92 said:
Well I had the misfortune of getting all of my stuff stolen by some crooked F****r
This happen to include my Infuse, nice and shiny
I am really... really ticked... so I was curious
Is there such a thing as a program or condition that one could put into their phone where a security test would be frequently asked (something that isn't annoying but catches unauthorized users) to verify the authorized user ie owner of the device?
Also the program would have to be have some leniency as I don't want it to brick itself when I ask somebody to check my messages of course I would tell them the code or trick whatever it may be.
I need something that when the phone is in jeopardy, it will destroy the device as well as all of the data that has accumulated on this device...
I just hate... absolutely hate with the blackest black like a black hole of hatred, when I have this feeling of "some bastard out there is freely running through my device" and I can't do **** about it.
Which happens to have past data on it, even if my SIM is terminated and my phone is cut off... there is still the numbers, photos, messages and such
Man I tell you, these lowlife scums... really? I was in a college cafeteria, I have my coat sitting there in front of everyone, I was sitting alone, I get up to get some fruit, when I come back, the coat is gone.
Yeah I left it unattended but at the same time you have to consider the fact that maybe these humans have something called morals in their little brains.
It's like... WTF
Plus the University Police's cameras suck... you would think that their capability of funding a $60 million dollar building, that perhaps they could install cameras which could do more than just differentiate whether a human is a girl or a guy.
Anyways... aside from all this bull
What can you guys think of... is there something like this?
I may just make it myself if something like this isn't already made, I'm so pissed
I just wanted to kill whoever this person was (not really as I could never do that) but man I was about ready to pick up this desk and hurl it at the window...
Thank you guys in advance for the read and perhaps an answer to my question.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am sooooooooooooooo sorry to hear that!. I use Android Lost on the market...IT IS FREE and it is the most awesome thing and dev is VERY responsive too. I recommend it to anyone!
GreenAce92 said:
Thank you guys for the condolences
DangKid
How much is this app? It's a one time buy right?
The thing is, how helpful are these things when the phone is off? I guess the criminal would have to turn the phone on at some point
The main thing that concerns me (besides the fact that it's stolen) is the data still being on there, it's my privacy you know? I am entitled to it just like everyone else, as private as one can get here in the US anyways which I would say is pretty good... anyways
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hated lock screens also. I'm constantly opening my phone out and to have to spend 3 seconds unlocking it gets annoying. I used to use WheresMyDroid (free on the Market) and its nice for finding the phone. By texting the phone (from any number) a special code, the phone will send gps latitude/longitude of the phones location and another special code will force the phone to play an alarm. It's not so great compared to SeekDroid, but it doesn't need data.
SeekDroid needs data, so if you send a bunch of commands, it won't be recognized until the phone establishes an online connection. So if the phone is off, then nothing can be done. But there's a high chance that they'll turn it on eventually. And there's an even higher chance that they'll try going online with it. From what I remember, it was $1 for the app. It was on Amazon's FAD a couple of times. Looks like the app is now $4.99 on the Market, but there is a lite version that you can try out. I think it's a steal even at $4.99.
get an app called seek droid
only cost a buck and works great
log into their webiste and you can wipe your internal and external memory cards, make an alarm go off even of phone is on silent (this lost phone) and other stuff.
also lets you set a password remotely. pretty awesome
DangKid said:
Sorry for your loss.
SeekDroid is my phone's best friend. You can locate, lock, force an alarm, and wipe the phone from a computer. You can also see the phone number of the sim, along with a list of the last 10 placed calls. On top of all this, you can also force the app to hide on the phone so that nobody can uninstall it. Insanely cheap for what it offers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah SeekDroid is the way to go. it was free a while back on the amazon app store.
Where is my droid pro also gives you the location off the device. but SeekDroid offers more.
DangKid said:
SeekDroid needs data, so if you send a bunch of commands, it won't be recognized until the phone establishes an online connection. So if the phone is off, then nothing can be done. But there's a high chance that they'll turn it on eventually. And there's an even higher chance that they'll try going online with it. From what I remember, it was $1 for the app. It was on Amazon's FAD a couple of times. Looks like the app is now $4.99 on the Market, but there is a lite version that you can try out. I think it's a steal even at $4.99.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Last few releases of SeekDroid have included SMS, in-case the device has no data connection. Its not very well advertised right now, but some documentation can be found here: http://help.seekdroid.com/kb/features/sms-how-to-and-help
Glad to hear everyone likes the app. If anyone has any questions, shoot us a line at http://help.seekdroid.com
PS: We should be going on sale on the Amazon Appstore within the next few day. If you wait you might be able to save a few bucks.
sycko said:
Last few releases of SeekDroid have included SMS, in-case the device has no data connection. Its not very well advertised right now, but some documentation can be found here: http://help.seekdroid.com/kb/features/sms-how-to-and-help
Glad to hear everyone likes the app. If anyone has any questions, shoot us a line at http://help.seekdroid.com
PS: We should be going on sale on the Amazon Appstore within the next few day. If you wait you might be able to save a few bucks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh dammmmmmmmmn, SeekDroid now has the ability to wipe the phone through a text message? That's so awesome. Will the phone show that a text conversation has initiated? The person could turn off the phone if they somehow saw that someone was trying to find it.
DangKid said:
Oh dammmmmmmmmn, SeekDroid now has the ability to wipe the phone through a text message? That's so awesome. Will the phone show that a text conversation has initiated? The person could turn off the phone if they somehow saw that someone was trying to find it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you send a SMS to SeekDroid (with the correct SMS pin and all), we will block that message from going to the phones SMS app. This means it still stays hidden from a thief that they are being tracked.
Phone tracking/wiping
sorry to hear about stolen phone, but folks dont go out and spend money on those apps. Did I not read the reply or did I just miss the one that reminds us all they are 95% USELESS. They are P.O.S!!! They will only work if the phone 1) is powered on 2) has cellular coverage 3) has your sim in it.
All anyone has to do is turn it off, travel out of coverage range, or simply take out or replace the sim.
socialal said:
sorry to hear about stolen phone, but folks dont go out and spend money on those apps. Did I not read the reply or did I just miss the one that reminds us all they are 95% USELESS. They are P.O.S!!! They will only work if the phone 1) is powered on 2) has cellular coverage 3) has your sim in it.
All anyone has to do is turn it off, travel out of coverage range, or simply take out or replace the sim.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We get success stories of people recovering their devices all the time. Also, as long as the device has a network OR data connection it can be tracked. SeekDroid will still track the device if the SIM is replaced.
socialal said:
sorry to hear about stolen phone, but folks dont go out and spend money on those apps. Did I not read the reply or did I just miss the one that reminds us all they are 95% USELESS. They are P.O.S!!! They will only work if the phone 1) is powered on 2) has cellular coverage 3) has your sim in it.
All anyone has to do is turn it off, travel out of coverage range, or simply take out or replace the sim.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lolwut? I can gurantee that 99% of phone thieves will at least connect it to a network of some sort. And that's when SeekDroid will strike. I'd take SeekDroid over any app out there on the market. It's simply the best at what it does and then some.
socialal said:
sorry to hear about stolen phone, but folks dont go out and spend money on those apps. Did I not read the reply or did I just miss the one that reminds us all they are 95% USELESS. They are P.O.S!!! They will only work if the phone 1) is powered on 2) has cellular coverage 3) has your sim in it.
All anyone has to do is turn it off, travel out of coverage range, or simply take out or replace the sim.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
at least this gives you a chance as long as your proactive and get on it fast.
you get the choice to locate it, or completely wipe everything off the phone, which is what i would do because i wouldn't want someone to be able to screw with my email account, facebook, contacts, and everything else on my phone.
not to mention being able to set off an alarm on my phone even when its on silent has helped me find it a few times when it decides to go deep sea couch diving
hmm Really? might make it worth looking into then. Because according to big brother (ATT) and apple. The only was those work is by sending a message/signal to the device. if the device is off or has no signal there is no way to for the service. if its a free download. I'll download it and then remove my sim and try pinging it
---------- Post added at 08:51 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:49 AM ----------
What identifier is it using? Because i thought once the sim card was swapped it became essentialy a different phone
Check out an app called plan b on the marketplace website. You can install it from there and it will show you where the phone is an you can wipe it clean. It's free.
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using xda premium
The stuff with the locations "longitude and latitude" doesn't the GPS have to be turned on the phone?
What about if the sim card was removed?
I had looked on my AT&T records and the 'criminal' did go online for a bit until the phone was turned off
But damn... the thought of having my email accounts logged in, my messages, phone numbers, personal notes and voice recordings etc... pictures...
Oh man it's like someone has just stripped me naked and posted my image on somebody's bedroom wall (ha)
Anyhow it would have been nice to have any of these apps on my phone, though my phone sticks to me like a cancer
Thank you guys for your input
I'll try to be wiser next time
Just a side question
What's the cost of switching devices if your last device was stolen? I like the sound of the "skyrocket" though I wouldn't mind getting my old Infuse back either and trying the ubuntu os
That looks sweet
john21511 said:
Check out an app called plan b on the marketplace website. You can install it from there and it will show you where the phone is an you can wipe it clean. It's free.
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ha! Plan B now that's an app name

HACKED!!!

so this is just a general message to all android users. something everyone SHOULD know about but most (non-tech) smartphone users fall short and victim to... the reason im posting this is because the wifes phone has been acting wierd lately, by wierd i mean apps have been opening up by themselves, internet browsers opened to websites that she would never go to, wallpapers keep getting changed, phone randomly being turned off, all of this happening most of the time while shes at work. now just so we know her wasnt rooted till two days ago which i did to see if maybe there was just something wrong with the stock crap that she had. turns out this wasnt the case. so i decided to post this just to make people more aware and hopefully prevent this from happening to anyone else.
what you can do to prevent this invasion
first and foremost PUT A PASSWORD ON YOUR PHONE!!! even if you have nothing to hide this will help from major things like bank accounts and passwords from emails getting stolen!
make the password hard to guess by this i dont mean use your kids names or birthdays but something no one would ever guess and use a combination of numbers and letters and never use the same password twice!
change your password atleast once a week! this will help to keep potential hackers guessing and make it harder for them to figure it out and hey if they figure it out this week they may not next week.
try to stay off of unsecured wifi networks, most routers these days have a firewall built in and if the network is protected by a password this will make it that much harder for a hacker to get into your files!
make sure you have your bluetooth set up so that other devices can only see you if they are paired or just keep it turned off when its not being used! same goes for NFC, Smart Beam, Bump, things of that nature...
dont let browsers like firefox, google chrome, e.g. save password this will also help to prevent the hacker from getting access to your email's and bank accounts! also a good idea to make sure you sign out of apps when you close them instead of leaving them open.
i hope this helps anyone else who may have had or has a problem with this from it ever happening again!
Common sense, that's all you need.
Changing your password once a week is a bit drastic in my opinion.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Just don't install wonky apps and dont connect to public networks. As simple as that.
Does setting a password really block remote access to your phone? I thought it only blocked a user from operating the device. I think you have to set up full encryption to protect yourself from invasions. Also. Google offers 2 step verification from the play store, which makes your accounts more secure.
So how did someone get remote access to the device? Maybe if you told us the cause and how it happened it would help the rest of us to not get caught in that situation.
if this is happening mainly at work is it possible she's using there wifi and if she is how do you know a fellow employee is not hacking in to her phone.
phatmanxxl said:
So how did someone get remote access to the device? Maybe if you told us the cause and how it happened it would help the rest of us to not get caught in that situation.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunatly I dont know the answer to this question as its her phone. I know she doesnt have any "remote access" apps installed.
biker4033 said:
if this is happening mainly at work is it possible she's using there wifi and if she is how do you know a fellow employee is not hacking in to her phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no she has confermed that she doesnt use the wifi at work doesnt even have it in her connection list so no fellow employee is doing it even though I suspect this one guy that seems to sit up there all day just for the free wifi, even though wifi isnt the only way a hackwr can get into ur files its just easier.
sauprankul said:
Just don't install wonky apps and dont connect to public networks. As simple as that.
Does setting a password really block remote access to your phone? I thought it only blocked a user from operating the device. I think you have to set up full encryption to protect yourself from invasions. Also. Google offers 2 step verification from the play store, which makes your accounts more secure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
setting a password doesnt block total access no but it would help to detur hackers and yes encryptions would prolly be better! Disnt even thing about that!!!
Da Kine said:
Common sense, that's all you need.
Changing your password once a week is a bit drastic in my opinion.
Exactly common sense... unfortunatly the world is filles with retards which was the main point of this post. Smartphones where made for "unfortunatly" stupid people... yes changing the password may be a bit drastic but maybe it would detur said hacker long enough to bore him with trying to figure it out and make him leave u alone... :/
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This message was sent from the a satellite in the sky.
Most of it is just common sense. Who leaves open connections unattended, anyway? Bloody hell, I turn 3G off when I'm not using it... (Mainly for battery life and the near border, but the fact stands.)
As for the passwords. Once a week is more than a bit paranoid, once every three months is a better aim.
And Don't use ridiculous sentimental passwords, such as your pets or family names and birth dates. A quick Facebook search and some logical thinking is all that's needed to figure out your password. You do not wish to know how many times I've had to do it for people who've forgotten theirs or when I needed access to a computer without the owner present. It's laughably easy, people are far too simple for their own good.
Another stupid thing I've seen people do: Leave their phone unattended in good faith or sheer negligence. Leaving your phone on your desk, or in your bag near your desk, when you go grab a new cup of tea, print something, speak with someone or visit the loo is just asking for someone else to mess with your phone. People can't be trusted. Nobody! Also, do not lend it to someone without supervision, Do Not Let It Out Of Your Sight!
I suspect that is also how your wife got her phone hacked; she probably left it in her bag or on her desk for a few minutes as she went to do something out of the line of sight.
I don't know if someone has stated this already but something that can also help out a lot and I know that a lot of people do it including myself on one or two occasions is staying legit. Meaning do not go online looking for an app for free to save yourself a dollar or so. Just pay for the app because it took time to develope and the creator deserves the donation, not to mention the apk could contain malware!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using xda premium
ShadowLea said:
Most of it is just common sense. Who leaves open connections unattended, anyway? Bloody hell, I turn 3G off when I'm not using it... (Mainly for battery life and the near border, but the fact stands.)
As for the passwords. Once a week is more than a bit paranoid, once every three months is a better aim.
And Don't use ridiculous sentimental passwords, such as your pets or family names and birth dates. A quick Facebook search and some logical thinking is all that's needed to figure out your password. You do not wish to know how many times I've had to do it for people who've forgotten theirs or when I needed access to a computer without the owner present. It's laughably easy, people are far too simple for their own good.
Another stupid thing I've seen people do: Leave their phone unattended in good faith or sheer negligence. Leaving your phone on your desk, or in your bag near your desk, when you go grab a new cup of tea, print something, speak with someone or visit the loo is just asking for someone else to mess with your phone. People can't be trusted. Nobody! Also, do not lend it to someone without supervision, Do Not Let It Out Of Your Sight!
I suspect that is also how your wife got her phone hacked; she probably left it in her bag or on her desk for a few minutes as she went to do something out of the line of sight.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This was already stated.... you basicly reiterated
what I already said but made it sound smarter... and she works at a fast food joint so it stays in her pocket or in the locked car when charging...
XBearingArmsX said:
I don't know if someone has stated this already but something that can also help out a lot and I know that a lot of people do it including myself on one or two occasions is staying legit. Meaning do not go online looking for an app for free to save yourself a dollar or so. Just pay for the app because it took time to develope and the creator deserves the donation, not to mention the apk could contain malware!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I must admit I am one of rhose people that downloads the .apk but not to one up google play or the dev but simply cus google doesnt give u but 15 mins to get a refund and lets face it thats no where near enough time to test an app to see if its something that will suit ones needs, so I download the apk file to see if its something that I would wanna keep and if it is then I go back whrn I have the extra cash to buy said apps...
This message was sent from the a satellite in the sky.
Rookie407 said:
I must admit I am one of rhose people that downloads the .apk but not to one up google play or the dev but simply cus google doesnt give u but 15 mins to get a refund and lets face it thats no where near enough time to test an app to see if its something that will suit ones needs, so I download the apk file to see if its something that I would wanna keep and if it is then I go back whrn I have the extra cash to buy said apps...
This message was sent from the a satellite in the sky.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is probably where your malware came from. I'd suggest doing a factory reset and stop downloading pirated apps. If you want a refund after the 15 minute trial period just email Google or the developer, they are usually pretty good at giving refunds.
Sent from my SGH-I747M using xda app-developers app
gc84245 said:
This is probably where your malware came from. I'd suggest doing a factory reset and stop downloading pirated apps. If you want a refund after the 15 minute trial period just email Google or the developer, they are usually pretty good at giving refunds.
Sent from my SGH-I747M using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know it wasnt the downloading of apps as my wife is one of those non-techy people ive been talking about... it could have however been from her dl'ing music from unreliable websites.
This message was sent from the a satellite in the sky.
If anything suspicious was happening to my phone I would immediately wipe/flash a new rom.
Banking apps are pretty risky too if they are easily logged into.
nmur said:
If anything suspicious was happening to my phone I would immediately wipe/flash a new rom.
Banking apps are pretty risky too if they are easily logged into.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sadly if you were hacked you would need to do alittle more then just wipe and reflash, u would need to delete all email accounts tied to said phone and apps used in the past + get a new number basicly start EVERYTHING new!
This message was sent from the a satellite in the sky.
If u happen to know the hackers ip address and or phone number you could always call your provider and have them block it also
This message was sent from the a satellite in the sky.
I could recommend to you wifi protector against hackers via wifi.. and also an antivirus for safety purpose
Wifi protector is available here in xda..
Sent from my A618 TV Duo using xda app-developers app
FROST_wyrm said:
I could recommend to you wifi protector against hackers via wifi.. and also an antivirus for safety purpose
Wifi protector is available here in xda..
Sent from my A618 TV Duo using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Didnt know there was an app like that ty for this post! And we have lookout so we are covered on the anti virus part...
This message was sent from the a satellite in the sky.
That app was actually an anti.wifikill and for other apps that will try to access your phone just like hacking your fb account and others.
Sent from my A618 TV Duo using xda app-developers app
Thanks
nice tip..gona take ur advice
Talking about being hacked, I fell victim to this too a year ago and I was able to put a stop to it. But first I'll explain my ordeal. One night I started getting calls from friends very pissed off that I kept calling them at 1 and 2 in the morning and waking them up and hanging up the phone. I kept telling them I swear I never called you. This went on to the point I lost a few friends until I saw it happen right before me eyes. Bet I know what your thinking, Pocket dialing? NOPE. My phone was dialing on it's own while sitting on the table at night charging.
So here it is 1 AM in the morning and I notice the light on my LG Optimus's screen coming on. I walked over and took a look, and to my surprise!! The darn thing was opening up the dial pad, moving to callers on my list and calling each one. This freaked me out. I thought I had ghost in the house. haha.
I reported this to Virgin and yea right, not much help. They must of thought I was on drugs. I decided to research this and low and behold, others were having this same problem with all models of phones. So someone did something about this and written an App called, "Called Confirmed Code." Nice thing was every time my phone attempted to make a phone call on its own, a password box appears asking for the pin number. Wrong pin rejects the call and closes the dial-er.
So I installed in hopes to find out if this is a glitch in Froyo 2.2.1 or a hacker. It happened once again. Phone woke up on its own that night and I watched in horror as the password box came up and someone was attempting to guess the pin number. each time he failed, the dial-er closed. I knew now someone was in my phone.
Did more research and read that there are open ports used a remote OTA Virgin uses to update your software over the air was being exploited and allowing hackers to fool my phone into thinking I had updates and allowing software to install on the phone. I took my phone to my local police dept and have a detective look into it and sure enough, it was a piece of software that got into the phone through the OTA port. Another words, What I though was a legit security update was nothing more then a backdoor installed.
So, I made copies of the police reports and faxed everything to Virgin's headquarters and weeks later, said there is no proof such a thing can happen.
WHAT!! Weather or not this is possible guys, it happen to me and that's what pushed me to root and flash my phone. Never did update through the OTA again. That's o.k. because Virgin Mobile did away with OTA updates because why??? Exploits. They still wont admit it today. And it doesn't stop there. That's my story how I got hacked. Maybe your's is different.
Do you always turn your wifi on?
hackers can only hack you if you are connected
No harsh feelings please, smile ka din

[Q] (not) Unique Situation - Have 2 Galaxy S3 Verizon and Need Guidance

Hi:
I started writing a thread the other day but stopped as it was full of drama and detail not important. This is what happened (when there is drama I will insert [D] with no detail so the context is maintained a bit.
I was minding my own business when one day last week my Samsung Galaxy G3 (I535) suddenly lost the ability to make/receive calls. I was on 4.1.2 and rooted, bootloader unlocked via ODIN. I thought I had loaded software that caused the problem. Couldn't resolve. Called Verizon [D] [D] to level 2, no problem, let me check a few things, OK, cool, do you have 2nd SIM? Yes! OK, it must be the phone, let's get you a replacement.. (Saturday, Phone arrives Tues).
New phone, powers up, no updates, authentication nightmare. Will not auth. Call Verizon...just wait a while?...OK.
Some hours later, authenticated. Very odd problems: charge isn't indicated on several chargers, then it is, then it isn't, charger independent? Keyboard exhibits over 1000 ms delay on press; unusable. Several other odd problems. Confused, I look online: Verizon Galaxy G3 4.4.2 update slow. First two hits happen to be Verizon's own "self-support" boards. All my symptoms and more. Lot's of Verizon's taking customers through the swamp looking for snipe. Reboot, Sim pull/insert, Factory Reset. Called Verizon back, hold times 4x previous call. Getting to Level 2 very difficult, CS rep actually states: "I know most of our phones and I haven't heard this set of problems". I refered him to Verizon's web site, grudingly sends me to Level 2. Extremely long hold time, and upon answer that group is not busy at all but relaxing talking together. Guy is grumpy, "Let me check something", back without hold in about 10 mins. "What ROM did you flash on the phone!?" first thing he said to me.
I've never flashed a ROM on any phone, for the record. I told him I knew what was and didn't do that. He insisted that he "couldn't read the software on the phone" [D] [D]!
I maintained polite, and focused on a solution, but he would not hear of that. I also offered to do a Factory Reset at least twice. "The Custom ROM will still be there after Factory Reset!" Perhaps, but then that would prove what I did and didn't do, maybe? Finally, I told him that I was very tired, and we weren't solving anything. Could I have an problem ticket number or incident number for reference. "We don't use those anymore". "You can have my employee ID and my phone number." Sorry if this is not PC, but it felt like a rapist giving his victim his contact information, should victim want to be in touch. I said, no, I'll just call back.
Immediately upon termination the new phone (replacement) displayed "Safe Mode" no apps, and the inabilty to unselect "screen mirroring" a new feature to me, but now turned on. I pull the SIM and factory reset, even though I had loaded many apps back (Inclulding Towelroot, which I had found and implemented). Although no idication of root before, the phone showed rooted and customer or modified, I don't remember the fields. Next day called back, long holds, CS OK, everyone had read Level 2 notes. Sent me up to Level 2. Long hold time, over 30 minutes. Cold response. I asked why the replacement of a non-functioning device had branched into, after receiving said device, two separate issues, to me it was one, getting my service back. Cold, "what do you want us to do?" Not knowing, I said, "I don't know, I just want the phone to work". Finally he went to talk to the boss, came back at 0 deg. Kelvin, through clenched teeth: You can take your phone to Best Buy, they will flash it back (I presumed to 4.1.2), after factory reboot and confirm no....[D] Thanks, I terminated.
At this point I had no working phone for several days, and I felt very upset about the entire situation, especially how I'd been treated by the last two guys. The first after the replacement was so out of line he should have been sanctioned, and an appology directed at me by manager, unless....
This is what they intended to happen. Because the OTA updates hadn't taken, perhaps, they disabled the G3 connection on the device (and it was unprovisioned on their server), knew this would lead to the likely steps above, and were so intent on getting me under their control with 4.4.2 (which I knew nothing about, in terms of root, etc), they had manipulated me to 4.4.2? I am a long time customer with unlimited data, a withdrawn discount, and paying over $200 for two lines with shared limited minutes and txt. No contract.
Whatever the case I still have my 4.1.2 G3 (no voice) and the 4.4.2 replacement. Obviously, I cannot consider staying at Verizon (likely what they want, apparently). Which do I keep? How do I prep the other for return to them? Know any good class action attorney? Obviously, Verizon is too big to care about me and, like so many huge corporations, no one dares attempt to regulate them.
Thanks for any advice. For infomormation on any technical steps to support the above paragraph, please simply refer me to the thread or post and I'll take it from there. I am not super technical, and had to re-do the original ODIN process about 3 times before it took, so any existing process instructions targeted at the Stupid User level would be appropriate and very much appreciated.
Sorry this is so long, I honestly left out a few calls because it just dawned on me, after I called V back today to figure out next steps, the guy listened (read the notes), said I was very poorly handled, I deserved better, would go talk to manager, be right back, 20 minutes later, manager still busy, can he call me back? Sure, gave info. Not a single call or attempt. That was the "It's not us, it's you response" but made to sound the other way round. Apparently they want me to walk away with a useless device, and since it's old and I'm not under contract, but love the phone, I can't understand why they would destroy my property and tell me to f-off, other than they feel like it.
If this sounds like paranoia, you might be surprised what big companies will do to you if they can. And so far, I'm the only one harmed, since they probably expected me to stop days ago. In any event, I have to send back a phone to them and hopefully keep one that works somewhere else. Please help me with the steps I need to take.
If you like history, or want to see how the big guys got a stranglehold on the US after the Civil War, then were forced back into decency by Teddy Roosevelt, W. Wilson, and FDR check out the Roosevelt 7 part documentrary recently appearing on PBS. I'm up to Episode 4, and already knew much of the story, but the detailed focus on their private and public lives and how they matured and developed is moving, enlightening, and awe-inspiring.
Thank You in Advance,
Mark
I really should say I'm surprised but in reality I'm not. Your right when you say they don't care because I've experienced it for myself and with my gf over the phone and my mom for that matter. The sad part is they are getting way too big for even themselves and like most companies don't have very good customer service. I'm unlocked as well and have never had issues with voice calls on this phone, only my first phone with a weird rom. It's not there business to ask you if you've installed a custom rom or not. I wouldn't even of answered the question myself.
Personally i would dump verizon if they treated me like that. I was in the store yesterday with my gf and she is a looooong time VZW customer. I'm taking 14 plus years and she went to best buy to get a phone because VZW doesn't know how to take care of customers at all.
It's a sad trend but the bigger the company the worse the customer service is
From my Wicked S3 on SOKP
mrbonine said:
Hi:
I started writing a thread the other day but stopped as it was full of drama and detail not important. This is what happened (when there is drama I will insert [D] with no detail so the context is maintained a bit.
I was minding my own business when one day last week my Samsung Galaxy G3 (I535) suddenly lost the ability to make/receive calls. I was on 4.1.2 and rooted, bootloader unlocked via ODIN. I thought I had loaded software that caused the problem. Couldn't resolve. Called Verizon [D] [D] to level 2, no problem, let me check a few things, OK, cool, do you have 2nd SIM? Yes! OK, it must be the phone, let's get you a replacement.. (Saturday, Phone arrives Tues).
New phone, powers up, no updates, authentication nightmare. Will not auth. Call Verizon...just wait a while?...OK.
Some hours later, authenticated. Very odd problems: charge isn't indicated on several chargers, then it is, then it isn't, charger independent? Keyboard exhibits over 1000 ms delay on press; unusable. Several other odd problems. Confused, I look online: Verizon Galaxy G3 4.4.2 update slow. First two hits happen to be Verizon's own "self-support" boards. All my symptoms and more. Lot's of Verizon's taking customers through the swamp looking for snipe. Reboot, Sim pull/insert, Factory Reset. Called Verizon back, hold times 4x previous call. Getting to Level 2 very difficult, CS rep actually states: "I know most of our phones and I haven't heard this set of problems". I refered him to Verizon's web site, grudingly sends me to Level 2. Extremely long hold time, and upon answer that group is not busy at all but relaxing talking together. Guy is grumpy, "Let me check something", back without hold in about 10 mins. "What ROM did you flash on the phone!?" first thing he said to me.
I've never flashed a ROM on any phone, for the record. I told him I knew what was and didn't do that. He insisted that he "couldn't read the software on the phone" [D] [D]!
I maintained polite, and focused on a solution, but he would not hear of that. I also offered to do a Factory Reset at least twice. "The Custom ROM will still be there after Factory Reset!" Perhaps, but then that would prove what I did and didn't do, maybe? Finally, I told him that I was very tired, and we weren't solving anything. Could I have an problem ticket number or incident number for reference. "We don't use those anymore". "You can have my employee ID and my phone number." Sorry if this is not PC, but it felt like a rapist giving his victim his contact information, should victim want to be in touch. I said, no, I'll just call back.
Immediately upon termination the new phone (replacement) displayed "Safe Mode" no apps, and the inabilty to unselect "screen mirroring" a new feature to me, but now turned on. I pull the SIM and factory reset, even though I had loaded many apps back (Inclulding Towelroot, which I had found and implemented). Although no idication of root before, the phone showed rooted and customer or modified, I don't remember the fields. Next day called back, long holds, CS OK, everyone had read Level 2 notes. Sent me up to Level 2. Long hold time, over 30 minutes. Cold response. I asked why the replacement of a non-functioning device had branched into, after receiving said device, two separate issues, to me it was one, getting my service back. Cold, "what do you want us to do?" Not knowing, I said, "I don't know, I just want the phone to work". Finally he went to talk to the boss, came back at 0 deg. Kelvin, through clenched teeth: You can take your phone to Best Buy, they will flash it back (I presumed to 4.1.2), after factory reboot and confirm no....[D] Thanks, I terminated.
At this point I had no working phone for several days, and I felt very upset about the entire situation, especially how I'd been treated by the last two guys. The first after the replacement was so out of line he should have been sanctioned, and an appology directed at me by manager, unless....
This is what they intended to happen. Because the OTA updates hadn't taken, perhaps, they disabled the G3 connection on the device (and it was unprovisioned on their server), knew this would lead to the likely steps above, and were so intent on getting me under their control with 4.4.2 (which I knew nothing about, in terms of root, etc), they had manipulated me to 4.4.2? I am a long time customer with unlimited data, a withdrawn discount, and paying over $200 for two lines with shared limited minutes and txt. No contract.
Whatever the case I still have my 4.1.2 G3 (no voice) and the 4.4.2 replacement. Obviously, I cannot consider staying at Verizon (likely what they want, apparently). Which do I keep? How do I prep the other for return to them? Know any good class action attorney? Obviously, Verizon is too big to care about me and, like so many huge corporations, no one dares attempt to regulate them.
Thanks for any advice. For infomormation on any technical steps to support the above paragraph, please simply refer me to the thread or post and I'll take it from there. I am not super technical, and had to re-do the original ODIN process about 3 times before it took, so any existing process instructions targeted at the Stupid User level would be appropriate and very much appreciated.
Sorry this is so long, I honestly left out a few calls because it just dawned on me, after I called V back today to figure out next steps, the guy listened (read the notes), said I was very poorly handled, I deserved better, would go talk to manager, be right back, 20 minutes later, manager still busy, can he call me back? Sure, gave info. Not a single call or attempt. That was the "It's not us, it's you response" but made to sound the other way round. Apparently they want me to walk away with a useless device, and since it's old and I'm not under contract, but love the phone, I can't understand why they would destroy my property and tell me to f-off, other than they feel like it.
If this sounds like paranoia, you might be surprised what big companies will do to you if they can. And so far, I'm the only one harmed, since they probably expected me to stop days ago. In any event, I have to send back a phone to them and hopefully keep one that works somewhere else. Please help me with the steps I need to take.
If you like history, or want to see how the big guys got a stranglehold on the US after the Civil War, then were forced back into decency by Teddy Roosevelt, W. Wilson, and FDR check out the Roosevelt 7 part documentrary recently appearing on PBS. I'm up to Episode 4, and already knew much of the story, but the detailed focus on their private and public lives and how they matured and developed is moving, enlightening, and awe-inspiring.
Thank You in Advance,
Mark
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I don't really have any info to help you, so I apologize for that.
But out of curiosity, do you have the MyVerizon app (or whatever the name is) installed?
At one point the app requested root permission, which is EXTREMELY sketchy in my opinion. I wonder if you grant it, or even deny it (if they can detect the denial) if they ASSUMED that you installed a custom ROM, because a lot of those that root also install custom ROMs.
Maybe just try at a different time of day to maybe get a call center in a different state or country?
That is extremely unprofessional on their part though...
Sent from my SCH-I535 using XDA Free mobile app
XdrummerXboy said:
I don't really have any info to help you, so I apologize for that.
But out of curiosity, do you have the MyVerizon app (or whatever the name is) installed?
At one point the app requested root permission, which is EXTREMELY sketchy in my opinion. I wonder if you grant it, or even deny it (if they can detect the denial) if they ASSUMED that you installed a custom ROM, because a lot of those that root also install custom ROMs.
Maybe just try at a different time of day to maybe get a call center in a different state or country?
That is extremely unprofessional on their part though...
Sent from my SCH-I535 using XDA Free mobile app
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Speaking of verizon and apps. My gf when she was on the phone was told by a rep that she had updated an app the previous day through Google play. Talk about sketchy! Yea I remember when the verizon app requested root permissions on my phone, that was it for verizon apps for me
From my Wicked S3 on SOKP
ShapesBlue said:
Speaking of verizon and apps. My gf when she was on the phone was told by a rep that she had updated an app the previous day through Google play. Talk about sketchy! Yea I remember when the verizon app requested root permissions on my phone, that was it for verizon apps for me
From my Wicked S3 on SOKP
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Wow, that takes things to a whole new level....
Sent from my SCH-I535 using XDA Free mobile app
XdrummerXboy said:
Wow, that takes things to a whole new level....
Sent from my SCH-I535 using XDA Free mobile app
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Your telling me. She's not rooted or unlocked though but that's still messed up. She got her shiny new S5 yesterday, looks nice
From my Wicked S3 on SOKP
ShapesBlue said:
Your telling me. She's not rooted or unlocked though but that's still messed up. She got her shiny new S5 yesterday, looks nice
From my Wicked S3 on SOKP
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Hmm.. I wonder how they knew that then
Nice! I wanted the S5 or Note4, but I'll be hanging onto the S3 for another year. I can't justify buying one when I have a baby on the way
Sent from my SCH-I535 using XDA Free mobile app
XdrummerXboy said:
Hmm.. I wonder how they knew that then
Nice! I wanted the S5 or Note4, but I'll be hanging onto the S3 for another year. I can't justify buying one when I have a baby on the way
Sent from my SCH-I535 using XDA Free mobile app
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I hear that. I have mine until June next year. Not quite sure what I'm doing just yet. The Super power saving mode is quite a nice feature. It basically disables all apps but the essential ones. The battery life then goes way over a day plus on the S5
From my Wicked S3 on SOKP
Et tu Verizon
Thanks for the info. I did have the MyVerizon app installed, I believe. I don't remember it requesting root, but I sometimes click through those things without paying too much attention (since I'm fairly careful about what goes on the phone); the reason I install software requiring root is to access it (circular, I know) so, they are doing what they must to run. I appreciate the suggestions about other call centers, etc. I do have the contact information from the single most helpful and polite (funny how that goes together) person I talked to through this debacle. I'll drop him a quick note, but really, since they never even bothered to call back, it's clear to me that they want me to leave. Paying over $200 per month to be treated like crap is not something I could ever do. They are big, very profitable, and don't care about anything but extracting cash from people under contract, or too complacent to leave (I'm in the 2nd category until now). Being in a codependent relationship with Verizon is not only self-defeating, but irrational. Until we have some politicians owned by the people instead of corporations we have no chance of reigning these folks in. Sure, they employ lot's of people, but an army of good people working against the best interest of everyone is not good, it's an uncontrollable menace: just look at the banks that gambled with people's homes, lost their bets, then collateralized them when the bottom fell out of their own septic tank of greed. The entire world economy hit an air pocket, but we're still letting the same greed intoxicated pilots fly. My only regret is believing their lies as long as I did. I deserve better, and it's won't be particularly hard to find it. Since the 4.4.3 G3 (nor the 4.1.2 for that matter) are particularly compatible with the GSM carriers, and Samsung is the lookout for the felonious Verizon, I'll probably get a Nexus 5. I think the G5 is better for several reasons, but that's too bad. All of the tech and marketing in the world will not make me "grateful" to manufacturers or carriers that somehow feel controlling how you use the equipment you buy from them is somehow acceptable. The money Verizon cares about is the corporate contracts, since they can manage that process much better, the revenue is less volatile, and they don't have to take calls from subscribers, wasting the money that could be spent on acquisitions, and expanding their market oligarchy. Public utilities create natural monopolies. There are not 2 sets of power lines, or water lines, or sewers running into your home. And the idea that competition from fiber will for improvements from Comcast is false, prices may move, but service will not get better. Only when barriers of entry are low can new competitors help drive down the price of entrenched utilities. We could all create our own mobile system on meshes of unlicensed 5.0 Gig or other spectrum, but it would be very costly to do that and linking this metropolitan radio webs would be tricky. But probably, someone is already working on that. Ask a HAM radio enthusiast about how they handle phone calls over shortwave. They have licenses, yes, but the technology to connect 2-way voice wireless signals to PSTN phone calls has been around for many years. Big corporations exact huge profits and drag down anyone that needs the services, the trick is to find creative ways around them, most importantly by thinking outside of the feature/function cage they've placed around us. Soon, you'll be able to buy just the cable channels you want, perhaps. I have hundreds and I generally watch less than 10.
The accusation flung at me by the enraged employee is little more that hot air. It reflects a corporate culture of mendacity and blame. My fault was to allow him to take control of the conversation, for a millisecond. Whatever I've done to the software on the phone (which, as you noted, was not a ROM change) it's still my phone and not theirs. They don't even provide the "insurance" to replace the failed device, a third party does. I didn't stop my phone from working to get a new phone. Had the replacement worked as well or better as the one it replaced I would have been happy. Now, I'm going over a week with no phone and they will never get paid for that week. The longer it takes to resolve, the less on my final bill, which will be coming up soon. When folks have experiences like this it's best to communicate the problem to the FCC (as if they cared) and their state PUC. Not that they will do anything about it, but it's important to remember they have a duty to regulate whether this group of appointees cares or not. The only thing that affects Verizon is withdrawing my monthly gratuity and when that happens because of abuse, manipulation, and possible fraud, the regulators need to be informed, if only so they can't say they didn't know.
Thanks for the reminder that they have no business asking questions about rooted phones or ROMS. That lingering guilt that one may have done something Daddy Verizon doesn't approve of is there, for sure, but since what I was accused of I didn't do, it was easier to just say, no, I didn't do that.....when I offered to factory reset TWICE during the call and he pretended not to hear me I realized it was all just a manipulative game played by a bully. No, no lunch money for you today, dude. I think they actually hire volatile people and use them as scarecrows. If Verizon didn't want their customers to be exposed to abuse, they'd fire these guys. The second guy was so cold, trying to do the right thing, but hating it. If you've ever been to a time-share presentation and not purchased one, you are familiar with this game. It's not only wrong, but it reflects how truly manipulative and immoral the employers are, they are paying the guy to be insulting, intimidating, and thuggish. So many large companies act this way, it's amazing we let them get away with it. The only way to stop it is to stop paying them and tell them why. I worked in a small hardware store in a small town 30+ years ago. Even when customers were trying some trick, like returning something they didn't buy from us, or a more elaborate ruse (I'll bring the old stuff back tomorrow......), I just explained how it worked and enforced the process; I never shouted, "You are so busted...." These were customers, some making honest errors, some trying to take advantage, but there were none I didn't want to come back again, because it would be bad for business and likely make an enemy. After I leave Verizon I will never give them another dime ever, and I think they honestly don't believe that.
XdrummerXboy said:
I don't really have any info to help you, so I apologize for that.
But out of curiosity, do you have the MyVerizon app (or whatever the name is) installed?
At one point the app requested root permission, which is EXTREMELY sketchy in my opinion. I wonder if you grant it, or even deny it (if they can detect the denial) if they ASSUMED that you installed a custom ROM, because a lot of those that root also install custom ROMs.
Maybe just try at a different time of day to maybe get a call center in a different state or country?
That is extremely unprofessional on their part though...
Sent from my SCH-I535 using XDA Free mobile app
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