Lock IMEI in case of theft (IMEI: 012028007317859)

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Lock IMEI in case of theft (IMEI: 012028007317859)

Hello,

My new iPhone was stolen yesterday. After running through google,.. and else search engines to find out how to locate (or at lease lock) the IMEI number but nobody was able to tell me how to do that.

If there is anyone here that has a clue how to solve my problem, please answer me.

br
Noah

Message was edited by: OitheWORLD

IPhone 3GS, iPhone OS 3.1.2

Posted on Jan 31, 2010 6:02 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

brendan002

Level 3

560 points

Jan 31, 2010 6:08 AM in response to OitheWORLD

Just contact your provider.

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Answer 2

Jan 31, 2010 9:24 AM in response to OitheWORLD

If you have subscribed to Apples MobileMe service you can locate your iphone (If switched on) from a web browser and swipe your data clean and set a secret lock code to render useless as a phone to any one else.

You certainly should also report it missing to your Phone network as they can debar the phones IMEI.

Here in the UK the list of debarred phone IMEI numbers are shared with ALL other network providers to render useless across networks.

It is a criminal offence to change the IMEI code (this can be done with normal Phones via readily available hardware and software) but i don't thank its possible/easy on the Iphone

When both Mobileme and Network debarring are combined the stolen/lost iphone remains useless even if exported as when the victim tries to register with Itunes even in another country the phone is identified !

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Answer 3

OitheWORLD Author

Level 1

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Feb 1, 2010 4:05 PM in response to Keith Doherty3

My provider told me that he is not allowed to lock the IMEI number.
They said something like it was because of data security or something... now as I lost my iPhone I think that I have the rights to get the IMEI locked.

Can Apple itself deactivate it or put in on the blacklist? I mean where is the difference?

Fact is, that if the phone is sold in my country (Austria) it will be profit-making for any provider, so why should they lock it. They know I have to buy a new phone and another one needs a new contract. That even is the reason why politicians do not make a fitting law for a case like that.
It feels like politicians shorten my freedom for the industry-lobby.

And I think a company like Apple with a that good reputation has to be capable of doing small things like blacklisting their own devices, right?

Is there any way to get directly to a technician of Apple Support via e-mail to discuss that subject?

best regards
Noah

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Answer 4

Feb 1, 2010 4:12 PM in response to OitheWORLD

How to report lost or stolen Apple product?
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2526

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Answer 5

OitheWORLD Author

Level 1

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Feb 1, 2010 4:20 PM in response to iphone3Gguy

How to report lost or stolen Apple product?

Apple does not have a formal flagging process for reporting stolen property. > If you have lost or found an Apple product, please contact your local law > enforcement agency to report it.

that was not very helpful ;(

Message was edited by: OitheWORLD

Message was edited by: OitheWORLD

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Answer 6

Feb 1, 2010 8:14 PM in response to OitheWORLD

This is not what you want to hear but who ever took you iPhone is 99% likely to "unlock" it which will allow it to be used on ANY gsm network WORLDWIDE ... this is literally hundreds of networks that the iPhone can be used on. All they will have to do is put in their SIM card and use it.

Your provider could "blacklist" it so to speak off their network but not off of any other network. Now since the iPhone can only have music, video and etc. added to it through iTunes you would think that Apple could be more proactive to de-authorize a product, you clearly could show proof of purchase for, from being able to be synced. Sorry for your loss!

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Answer 7

carl wolf

Level 6

14,625 points

Feb 1, 2010 10:38 PM in response to OitheWORLD

"that was not very helpful"

Then my post will likely cause you to pop a vein. Why are you so wrapped around the axle about getting your phone turned off? Cancel your service, buy a new phone, and get on with your life.

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Answer 8

OitheWORLD Author

Level 1

0 points

Feb 2, 2010 3:18 AM in response to carl wolf

@Jody Mac Fanboy: But why do people tell me, that a blacklistet Phone, that goes online once, will be locked in a way that it will never be able to be activated again? Great Britain and Germany support this Service for Example.

@carl wolf: maybe because I just had bought it 2 weeks before for nearly 500€ which is pretty much for a student. I don't know what you do with your money, but I do care about it!

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Answer 9

Feb 2, 2010 4:15 AM in response to OitheWORLD

But why do people tell me, that a blacklisted Phone, that goes online once, will be locked in a way that it will never be able to be activated again? Great Britain and Germany support this service for example.

The carriers do it in those countries only because they are required to by laws in those countries.

The carriers don't care if a phone is stolen. The original owner will buy a new one and continue to provide income to the carrier (even it the phone isn't replaced, if on contract, the original owner will still have to pay monthly fees or the early termination fee), and the user of the stolen will pay some carrier for service. The carriers end up with more money since they now have as customers some people who could not afford a new phone but can afford a stolen phone.

The carriers oppose laws blocking stolen phone because they end up with less total revenue, and have to go to the trouble of keeping lists of stolen phones.

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Answer 10

OitheWORLD Author

Level 1

0 points

Feb 2, 2010 4:25 AM in response to Malcolm Rayfield

thats exactly the case here.
Now why can not Apple itself block the phone? everytime I connect to iTunes, I connect to Apple as well, so Apple should have even more of a chance to find the Phone and lock it. (not if you run linux on the phone or something) and even if you "change" the IMEI, the original IMEI will still be sent if you go online (because the phone will say it has another IMEI if you ask but still has the old one).

This is one thing I do not like at Apple. Its not only in case of iPhones, but iPods, MacBooks, ... all those stolen units could be blocked, so noone would steal one anymore...

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Answer 11

CArizo

Level 1

55 points

Feb 2, 2010 4:28 AM in response to OitheWORLD

Contact the Police, they can get authority on your behalf to flag the IMEI with the Carrier. Apple, unfortunately, are unable to flag the device 😟

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Answer 12

Feb 2, 2010 10:23 AM in response to OitheWORLD

OitheWORLD wrote:
And I think a company like Apple with a that good reputation has to be capable of doing small things like blacklisting their own devices, right?

Wrong. To suggest that Apple has access to every carrier network in the world, and to block/unblock access for their phones, is frankly, ridiculous.

Do you expect car manufacturers to monitor the roads looking out for cars that they have been told are stolen ?

No, silly idea.

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Answer 13

OitheWORLD Author

Level 1

0 points

Feb 2, 2010 10:31 AM in response to Graham Outterside

Well, they are doing warranty information in comparison to IMEI Numbers, so what would be the problem to just mark IMEI Numbers via Apple? and if someone with a locked IMEI goes online through iTunes they cold lock the phone, so it can not connect to iTunes, AppStore and whatever... then it would be useless for the thief, what is the purpose of the whole procedure...

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Answer 14

Feb 2, 2010 10:38 AM in response to OitheWORLD

OitheWORLD wrote:
Well, they are doing warranty information in comparison to IMEI Numbers, so what would be the problem to just mark IMEI Numbers via Apple?

Because knowing an IMEI is stolen is meaningless unless you have to check with the network access server if its connected to a network. No operator is going to connect to Apple for authentication. You're just being naive.

and if someone with a locked IMEI goes online through iTunes they cold lock the phone,

So you sell the phone, report it stolen, and the real owner gets stuffed? Or you report someone elses phone stolen for a joke ? Apple are not a police force - they just look after their own warranty situation.

It can be done in the UK, as the operators cooperate due to UK legislation. Sort out your Austrian ones rather than expecting commercial companies to do your governments job for you.

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Answer 15

CAPR

Level 1

0 points

Feb 3, 2010 11:10 AM in response to Graham Outterside

Do you connect your car everyday to the manufacturer's website, get a unique ID and send your serial number, IMEI and phone number? In this case, your logic is not correct. This are networked, electronic devices, not gasoline powered machines. Apple could block serial numbers for phones. THEY COULD DO IT, but they don't want the trouble. How do you think they block you from putting a sim from a different provider?

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