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I had a software company ask me for the IMEI for my phone - is there any issue with me giving them this number? Ultimately, what malicious activies could they perform with knowing my IMEI?
Thanks!
if they report your imei to the police as a stolen phone it's blocked and precious few ever gotten their imei off those lists making the phone useless
They could duplicate the imei number to an other device and make illegal activities using that imei number which is billed to you.
You wonder the story next
Semseddin said:
They could duplicate the imei number to an other device and make illegal activities using that imei number which is billed to you.
You wonder the story next
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you would also have to have their same sim number for that to work.
josefcrist said:
you would also have to have their same sim number for that to work.
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Right!
IMEI refers to the International Mobile Equipment Identifier, a unique 15 digit code programmed into each mobile phone during production. The number holds information regarding manufacturer, model type and the approval body for the handset. The identification, bound into the IMEI when combined with the use of blacklisting and a connection the CEIR (Central Equipment Identity Register, is one route to preventing stolen devices being used on authorized networks. However, if the integrity of the code relating to the communication of the IMEI with the network is not guaranteed, the device is open to attack. This is the case with many current handsets, allowing impersonation of the IMEI and again rendering this security feature ineffective and redundant.
Year 22nd Dec 2008 in Turkey, there was a police operation for cloned phones and illegally saved imei numbers... Police has arrested over 50 people and got over 10 thousand cloned phones with real imei numbers... One of the arrested told to police that they bought the imei numbers from some internet sites as packages of 1000 imei numbers... It is really harmfull to post imei numbers on the web... Be carefull while buying secondhand phones also...
That Should Sum It up
It is very important to not give to anyone your imei number. Here in Greece we had few affairs with that issue.
thank God there ain any Android Signed
Semseddin said:
They could duplicate the imei number to an other device and make illegal activities using that imei number which is billed to you.
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one more reason to hate nokia and their bloody Symbian Signed. opda must have milions of imeis worldwide cause of theire stupid software. long live google and the android
Giiving imei number is like givn ur bank card pin......Dont do it!
is this still true, till this day? are there any security updates made to prevent these danger?
I gave out my IMEI number to a person posing as a personnel from MTN in Abuja, Nigeria. He said that they going to upgrade my phone to 4 G platform. Is there anything like this from MTN Nigeria?
Abuamatullah said:
I gave out my IMEI number to a person posing as a personnel from MTN in Abuja, Nigeria. He said that they going to upgrade my phone to 4 G platform. Is there anything like this from MTN Nigeria?
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Almost every phone is like this.
When the carriers developed a certain product, they could just update your phone through your software (A last patch for the phone). ? By going to system update.
The software is always limited to what your hardware's phone could do, and you should have expertise to know that.
What I meant here is, after they released a product, they would forgot it and go to the drawing board and make a more improved phone, they won't really need your phone because they are the ones who manufactured it(same for the source codes). It would be seemingly suspicious for someone to have an interest to your phone which will be outdated in a couple of months or a year.
I purchased a AT&T HTC One X Unlocked from a online seller through paypal (from USA). I got the phone along with the unlocked code and I unlocked i succesfully. I stay in India. I was using the phone for past one month and it was working absolutely fine. All of a sudden today I am getting a message "IMEI Locked - Please contact customer support". Although I could make calls and browse internet. But don't know what happens next and till when it works.I am very tensed. I shelled out 400$.
What is supposed to be do to resolve the issue?? Will rooting the phone helps?? or my phone is gonna be an expensive brick?? I didn't update the OS or anything. :crying::crying:
Please reply ASAP. I will be very very thankful.
chaitanya.alur said:
I purchased a AT&T HTC One X Unlocked from a online seller through paypal (from USA). I got the phone along with the unlocked code and I unlocked i succesfully. I stay in India. I was using the phone for past one month and it was working absolutely fine. All of a sudden today I am getting a message "IMEI Locked - Please contact customer support". Although I could make calls and browse internet. But don't know what happens next and till when it works.I am very tensed. I shelled out 400$.
What is supposed to be do to resolve the issue?? Will rooting the phone helps?? or my phone is gonna be an expensive brick?? I didn't update the OS or anything. :crying::crying:
Please reply ASAP. I will be very very thankful.
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Someone rely ASAP..it's urgent..I am attaching the screen shot also..
Stolen...........only way to unblock it is the original account holder must report it as recovered..........
Sent from my HTC One XL using xda premium
Get in touch with your carrier and ask them why the imei is locked
Not sure if us carriers share stolen imeis with Indian carriers
sent from my limited edition red Gnex
It's a at&t branded device, so no other carrier will have any information on it.
Sent from my HTC One XL using xda premium
Do you still have unlock code with you??
Does any sort of OS update happened??
His phone isn't sim locked. It's imei is locked. At&t just started locking them on stolen phones in late July this year.
Sent from my HTC One XL using xda premium
18th.abn .. thanks.. I thought of sim locked... then I do not think there is a feasible way to recover it.. Is it something like bad ESN for CDMA phones?
---------- Post added at 12:26 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:24 AM ----------
But I thought at&T can block usage of it only on it;s network
18th.abn said:
It's a at&t branded device, so no other carrier will have any information on it.
Sent from my HTC One XL using xda premium
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That's my point bro ...he's in India so how can an Indian carrier block his imei ....either his imei is 0 or cloned
sent from my limited edition red Gnex
even if they block this IMEI won't it still work with other gsm companies?
it won't work on at&t no?
It's not like cdma phones were its just on a list, which even then when you flash them to other carriers the imei has to be "repaired"(which means changed). With u.s. gsm I believe the lock is sent to device, and the only way to unlock is by a code given by or sent from the carrier.........I'm researching it but I'm 90% sure that's how they are doing it.......and by op screenshot it supports as it is the same with simlocked phones but different msg....if he slides to unlock it probably goes to a dialled to enter code............would like a confirmation on this from the op if he's still here.......
Either way, he bought on eBay so he is protected and can get a refund, or he stole it and is looking for help and there isn't an answer except call at&t
Sent from my HTC One XL using xda premium
18th.abn said:
Either way, he bought on eBay so he is protected and can get a refund, or he stole it and is looking for help and there isn't an answer except call at&t
Sent from my HTC One XL using xda premium
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My money's on it being stolen. Yep, I have no faith in humanity.
With the way AT&T is blacklisting stolen devices, it's pretty much like the cdma list. The imei gets blocked from any gsm.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using XDA Premium HD app
Can they lock the IMEI if you have an unpaid bill with AT&T, but have SIM-unlocked the phone and have a Straight Talk SIM?
I'd suspect even that they may be carrier partners, have roaming agreements an such in place to reach that far. Idk.
WR
Sent from my One X
all carriers share stolen IMEI numbers in a global list that is available for all carriers, around the world, to use.
In India, it is mandatory for carriers to honor the global block list because of terrorism concerns.
to the original poster - your phone is marked as stolen. The best way to deal with this is to contact AT&T, show them proof of purchase (Paypal receipt, etc.), show them the original craigslist posting, share identity documents like passport, etc. and request for unblocking. Once they have unblocked, then you will have to do the same with your local (Indian provider).
sandys1 said:
all carriers share stolen IMEI numbers in a global list that is available for all carriers, around the world, to use.
In India, it is mandatory for carriers to honor the global block list because of terrorism concerns.
to the original poster - your phone is marked as stolen. The best way to deal with this is to contact AT&T, show them proof of purchase (Paypal receipt, etc.), show them the original craigslist posting, share identity documents like passport, etc. and request for unblocking. Once they have unblocked, then you will have to do the same with your local (Indian provider).
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They may, be shared but most do nothing, in Canada nadda.
This is not world encompassing yet.
WR
Sent from my One X
sandys1 said:
all carriers share stolen IMEI numbers in a global list that is available for all carriers, around the world, to use.
In India, it is mandatory for carriers to honor the global block list because of terrorism concerns.
to the original poster - your phone is marked as stolen. The best way to deal with this is to contact AT&T, show them proof of purchase (Paypal receipt, etc.), show them the original craigslist posting, share identity documents like passport, etc. and request for unblocking. Once they have unblocked, then you will have to do the same with your local (Indian provider).
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Oh!.. is it. I never thought they will be blocked in India..anyway thanks for the info
I was just about to buy an AT&T unlocked HTC one X from ebay for use in India when I came across this post. Should I be worried? :silly:
Well, I would recommend that you ask him for photographic proof that phone is functioning fine with a simple card.
I also found this link that talks about being able to verify stolen imei in India http://imei-number.com/imei-validation-check/ not sure if it works.
Or you could go my way and buy from XDA. I heard that Swappa is also reputable - but not as much as XDA.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium
I heard that it is not "officially supported" on ATT. Will I be able to get an ATT prepaid SIM card and use it on N5 in the US?
It should work with ATT.
I've basically asked the same thing here - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2508100
Im trying to understand what IMEI number to give them when I sign up. Will they take the Nexus number or do I need to visit a store and "find" an IMEI from an ATT LTE phone?
myeyez said:
I've basically asked the same thing here - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2508100
Im trying to understand what IMEI number to give them when I sign up. Will they take the Nexus number or do I need to visit a store and "find" an IMEI from an ATT LTE phone?
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Any reason why you'd even want to give them an IMEI number? I haven't given AT&T any numbers for this Z1 I'm on and it's working perfectly. If you mean for a new activation, you may not need to give them one. I'll get in touch with a friend to see what's needed.
Sent from my C6906 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
myeyez said:
I've basically asked the same thing here - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2508100
Im trying to understand what IMEI number to give them when I sign up. Will they take the Nexus number or do I need to visit a store and "find" an IMEI from an ATT LTE phone?
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The Nexus 5 is fully compatible with all the ATT frequencies. I don't think there should be anything to worry about as far as the IMEI goes, there is no reason the IMEI number on the label of your Nexus 5 box shouldn't work.
The only time you should have to worry about the IMEI is when you're buying a used phone off of cragslist or ebay, because if someone stole the phone or defaulted on their account, the IMEI can be blacklisted by the service provider.
myeyez said:
I've basically asked the same thing here - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2508100
Im trying to understand what IMEI number to give them when I sign up. Will they take the Nexus number or do I need to visit a store and "find" an IMEI from an ATT LTE phone?
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Click to collapse
You can't "find" an IMEI number. Their unique to each phone. You can spoof them but it's not legal or ethical. It's also not something an average user is even going to be able to understand. Use the one from the N5. It will work fine.
Good afternoon!
I looked at other post before creating this, I have a Razr D1 fo the IMEI blocked, tried a few methods I found on the forum and could not, have some other specific method to change the IMEI of the same?
Isn't changing your IMEI illegal?
And your IMEI is blocked, have you stolen your phone or something?
eatsleep said:
Isn't changing your IMEI illegal?
And your IMEI is blocked, have you stolen your phone or something?
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not steal do not even have to note the same! I called the operator and not informed the reason for blocking the device, said it takes up to 3 months to unlock imei, ai wanted a method of exchange.
nipponicshell said:
not steal do not even have to note the same! I called the operator and not informed the reason for blocking the device, said it takes up to 3 months to unlock imei, ai wanted a method of exchange.
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It is a risky process and it is also illegal to change your IMEI in many countries, my advice is to wait
eatsleep said:
It is a risky process and it is also illegal to change your IMEI in many countries, my advice is to wait
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This is Brazil! Worse things happen and do not care about anything ... rsr
follow the video link, it's just a check of IMEI numbers
No your not
That is 100% illegal in Europe and USA and you can serve up too 5 years for changing a phones IMEI Number
Ok so I'm going to pick up a s8+ and the seller has this particular model for sale brand new. Are there any cautions I should be aware of? Can it be blacklisted here in the USA?
Sent from my ONEPLUS A5000 using Tapatalk
nellycruzz said:
Ok so I'm going to pick up a s8+ and the seller has this particular model for sale brand new. Are there any cautions I should be aware of? Can it be blacklisted here in the USA?
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You could always be extra safe by checking the imei number on swappa or where possible.
One4mNoWhere said:
You could always be extra safe by checking the imei number on swappa or where possible.
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Well when I searched the model it showed up full price at bestbuy and Walmart as unlocked. So I'm very curious if it's the actual unlocked version from Samsung and not tied to any carrier.
Sent from my ONEPLUS A5000 using Tapatalk
The G955U1 is the US unlocked variant. It's what I have. What he was suggesting is to ensure that specific device imei is legit via Swappa or the like.
disturbd1 said:
The G955U1 is the US unlocked variant. It's what I have. What he was suggesting is to ensure that specific device imei is legit via Swappa or the like.
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What would cause it not to be clean? Jw
Sent from my ONEPLUS A5000 using Tapatalk
nope. what he's asking is. if this model. the unlocked version. even if is already paid in full CAN BE BLACKLISTED? how.... if the owner after selling claim a lost/ theft claim using (example...geeksquad warranty if he got it before selling) the previews owner get the replacement. what will happen to the one the OP bought.
or even if someone put a claim on it, will it never get blacklisted.
eduardmc said:
nope. what he's asking is. if this model. the unlocked version. even if is already paid in full CAN BE BLACKLISTED? how.... if the owner after selling claim a lost/ theft claim using (example...geeksquad warranty if he got it before selling) the previews owner get the replacement. what will happen to the one the OP bought.
or even if someone put a claim on it, will it never get blacklisted.
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Yeah exactly lol. Since it's not a specific carrier, should I be worried? The guy even has it listed on eBay with 100% satisfaction results. So I just wanted to check before buying. $600 seems like a good deal to me.
Sent from my ONEPLUS A5000 using Tapatalk
nellycruzz said:
Ok so I'm going to pick up a s8+ and the seller has this particular model for sale brand new. Are there any cautions I should be aware of? Can it be blacklisted here in the USA?
Sent from my ONEPLUS A5000 using Tapatalk
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Considering the 955U1 isn't sold by any carriers, it shouldn't be blacklisted unless reported lost or stolen.
However, it could always be a 955U that's been flashed to a 955U1, since that is possible.
And 955U's can indeed be blacklisted by any of the carriers they've been purchased from.
Get the IMEI of the phone, check with your carrier and on Swappa if the IMEI/ESN is clean, go ahead with the purchase, otherwise stay away.