Stolen iPad , how to IMEI block or track it?

Question

Level 1

16 points

Stolen iPad , how to IMEI block or track it?

Hi, Apologise if I posted this in the wrong section. But my iPad and Macbook Pro have recently been stolen. I've reported the event to the police, all I have left is the iPad box with it's IMEI number. The Police have asked me to call my carrier or Apple for assistance in tracking my iPad so that they can allocate and return my stolen items "over $7000+". iPad is my only hope left.

I've been reading about lost/stolen iPad, I've called my carrier and requested an IMEI block, but all they did was disable the service associated with the microsim. Police also asked me to call Apple in regard to this matter, but as I read through topics of topics of lost iPhone/iPad. It seems that either Apple really do not have the ability to track it down or they do not want to do so. MobileMe seems to be the only way.

I had location service on when it was stolen, but I am afraid they have done a restore with itune or changed the microsim. I wish to ask if Apple can help or not in this matter, if they do, which department should I contact? If they won't help, can I do a IMEI block on the device at the very least? Thank you for any advices and ideas!

Any ideas or advice will be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

PC, Windows 7

Posted on Sep 15, 2010 7:26 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Sep 15, 2010 7:49 AM in response to Appledine

You are correct in your statement. As for Apple helping you find your stolen devices. Apple can't help with this... Your only recourse is the police. You can't even go to local pawn shops and ask if anyone one has pawned these items. Sorry for your loss...

Reply

Answer 2

rkkeller

Level 1

137 points

Sep 15, 2010 8:24 AM in response to Appledine

I think the only real option is if you have the Mobile Me service and track it thru that.

I hope you had it password protected and set to erase after 10 failed attempts so no one can get
your personal information or use your apps. They can still use it if they get another card but at least
they wont have your stuff.

Reply

Answer 3

Appledine Author

Level 1

16 points

Sep 15, 2010 8:32 AM in response to David M Brewer

Rights... I see the logic here, I have a 3G wifi ipad, my carieer would even lied to me about they did the IMEI block which they didn't cause I checked on the amta data base. They want the person whoever using the stolen iphone to get another simcard, the carieer get benefits from it.

As for the person who lost the ipad, would be likely to get another via insurance or buying another on the market. The ultimate bingo goes to Apple, means they sell more ipads!

I could not help but have a thought of the fact that both carrier providers and apple are indirectly encouraging uses of stolen devices. They would had at least allow consumer to block out their stolen device when given reasonable proofs. If I didn't lose my ipad and then find out knowing how hopeless it can get losing
an apple device.

Especially device of high demands like an ipad, which is used by people to store lot of information on it and I guess at least some of it is very private and important and they are on a criminal's hand. I have tried MobileMe, but I also realise that they can simply use another sim card and still be able to used the device and access the information inside, all they need to do is turn off location service or a restore with itune.

Apple should at least provide some security option for the orignal owner of the device to disable the device via an IMEI block via itune which will disable the device rendering it useless, or if device is restored, the data will also be erased for good by implementing some of mac complete erase options into itunes.

Just a angry thought about my loss. Sorry for the attidue, I did love my ipad.

Reply

Answer 4

snkhan

Level 3

677 points

Sep 15, 2010 8:43 AM in response to Appledine

The ultimate bingo goes to Apple, means they sell more ipads!

How is this any different to what other carriers/manufacturers provide? Does your TV manufacturer offer this? Does your car dealership offer this? Hopefully you get the point.

... the data will also be erased for good by implementing some of mac complete erase options into itunes.

A remote wipe command is also available through MobileMe.

It's a shame your device was stolen. Your only recourse was to have used the Locate feature if you had MobileMe set up. But that would have stopped working the moment you blocked your SIM card. (unless the thief connected to a Wifi network).

Sorry for your loss.

Reply

Answer 5

Sep 15, 2010 8:58 AM in response to Appledine

There are legal issues why Apple doesn't step in. As far declaring it on an insurance policy. It not worth it to gamble losing your policy over an iPad. Beside the deductible would make it prohibited.

Reply

Answer 6

Martin_UK

Level 2

150 points

Sep 15, 2010 11:11 AM in response to David M Brewer

You're making the common mistake of assuming that every coutnry works the same as the US. There's no reason for an insurance company to cancel a policy because a customer makes a claim and here in the UK the policy excess (what you call the deductible) is often around £50.

Reply

Answer 7

Sep 15, 2010 1:05 PM in response to Martin_UK

I didn't make a common mistake...or an assumption, you did.

Reply

Answer 8

Appledine Author

Level 1

16 points

Sep 15, 2010 5:51 PM in response to snkhan

iPad is different from a TV, as I said iPad is a high demand prodruct on the market, the risk of it being stolen is higher than other electronics. My ipad was stolen during a house robbery, so insurance will cover that. So doesn anything else I've lost.

It is not about getting a new one or replacement, gain/lost, my point was more toward the security that a portal smartphone can provide to give the consumer a piece of mind.

Reply

Answer 9

Martin_UK

Level 2

150 points

Sep 16, 2010 12:10 AM in response to David M Brewer

So when you suggested the OP could have his insurance policy cancelled for making a claim of. That his "deductible" wouldn't make a claim worthwhile, you were speaking with details knowledge of the Australian insurance market and his specific policy were you?

Reply

Answer 10

Sep 16, 2010 2:25 AM in response to Martin_UK

As you can see I'm from the United States... Please don't make my statement more than what it is.

Reply

Answer 11

Martin_UK

Level 2

150 points

Sep 16, 2010 5:27 AM in response to David M Brewer

Exactly, and yet you made definitive, unqualified assertions that:

"It not worth it to gamble losing your policy over an iPad. Beside the deductible would make it prohibited."

As you now seem to accept, how the insurance industry market works in the US isn;t how it works in countries with higher levels of regulation and consumer protection.

Reply

Answer 12

Sep 16, 2010 6:03 AM in response to Martin_UK

I was giving an American point of view. There no reason to slam people or counties in these forums. I think you need to go fo a walk.

Reply

Answer 13

Nov 13, 2010 2:41 AM in response to David M Brewer

If you have a personal property insurance policy, you should have no problem making a claim to you insurance as long as you have a copy of the police report.

Reply

Answer 14

Philly_Phan

Level 7

20,707 points

Nov 13, 2010 5:32 AM in response to David M Brewer

Actually, you're contradicting yourself.

+"As far declaring it on an insurance policy. It not worth it to gamble losing your policy over an iPad. Beside the deductible would make it prohibited."+

If the value is less than the deductible, the insurance company pays zero and would have no reason to consider policy cancellation.

Also, you're assuming that everyone in the U.S. has a policy with the same deductible. Mine is quite low and I've had several claims for camera equipment and my policy has never been in jeopardy. Are there other reasons why your insurance company distrusts you?

Reply

Answer 15

deggie

Level 10

167,177 points

Nov 13, 2010 5:43 AM in response to Philly_Phan

Philly;

If you noticed this thread is 3 months old, it only came to the top because the poster above you erroneously posted to David that he could file a claim. But he's new here so that is to be expected.
He actually is not contradicting himself, if the company is going to pay zero a reasonable person would know this and would not make the claim in the first place. If a person has put a personal property rider on their policy this would be different and would normally provide full replacement.

I did put mine on a personal replacement policy. Within the month the home office of my insurance policy contacted my agent and said they would not cover iPads as they were not personal computers but were actually an iPod and they do not provide coverage for such devices. I would guess that would be true with a lot of policies. Check with your insurance policy to be sure. And I wouldn't be quite so sure on your policy.

Reply