should i give out my imei code to a buyer?

Jon_01

benbranson wrote: »

Um, maybe if this was 1988 and we still used analogue phones.

With a GSM phone, it can't be cloned...

A very sweeping statement, and wrong. It's not easy but it can be done.

Tigert

benbranson wrote: »

Um, maybe if this was 1988 and we still used analogue phones.

With a GSM phone, it can't be cloned...

As Jon 01 said - Wrong. It's not even that difficult with some phones. Though it is now a criminal offence.

benbranson

Tigert wrote: »

As Jon 01 said - Wrong. It's not even that difficult with some phones. Though it is now a criminal offence.

Ok granted, you can clone an IMEI but when I posted I meant it wouldn't give access to your mobile phone account. That is what cloning analogue phones did.

It would just allow someone to use a handset that had been reported stolen on a UK network, they'd still need to put their own SIM in it for it to work. And as you say it is a criminal offence to change the IMEI of a handset.

rash.m2k

NO DON'T!

The reason - despite what everyone here may say is that it is perfectly possible for them to register your phone with their insurance and claim that they lost the phone and your's will get blocked.

IF You said the phone was an unwanted upgrade why would they think it's blocked?

Could you please give a link to ebay so we can have a look please?

I have a checkmend account and have had one for quite a few years - the ONLY time I use it is IF i buy a faulty phone - this way I can be sure it's not blocked.

With new phones I simply don't bother as I take the sellers word for it.

Ivrytwr3

benbranson wrote: »

Ok granted, you can clone an IMEI but when I posted I meant it wouldn't give access to your mobile phone account. That is what cloning analogue phones did.

quote]

What i meant was someone could clone your phone and run up bills.

There is no need to give your imei to a POSSIBLE buyer and personally i wouldn't.

Sid_Harper

I think this whole thing is being made a meal out of here. Tell them it's legit and if they find otherwise, they've got your details and PayPal to claim against. "Simples."

soolin

I just posted a similar question over on the ebay thread, this was the email I got:

Hi Mate Would you be able to e-mail me the imei and serial number for the phone(my mate says its on a white label under the battery) its just I bought one before second hand and the handset turned out to be barred, then I can just check before I bid. Cheers

A quick check shows that the 'buyer' actually sells phones similar to the one I am selling, they currently have 100+ phones listed, so not as naive as they are pretending. I did respond and say that I was unable to give that info to anyone other than the eventual buyer, and just because it feels 'wrong' I decided to block them from bidding as well.

rash.m2k

soolin wrote: »

I just posted a similar question over on the ebay thread, this was the email I got:
....
....
A quick check shows that the 'buyer' actually sells phones similar to the one I am selling, they currently have 100+ phones listed, so not as naive as they are pretending. I did respond and say that I was unable to give that info to anyone other than the eventual buyer, and just because it feels 'wrong' I decided to block them from bidding as well.

Thats the correct course of action. There is simply NO NEED for anyone to ask for an IMEI number, unless the phone is listed as faulty.

You just don't give out IMEI numbers, perioid. It's EXTREMEMLY easy to just register the handset with immobilise.co.uk and block it. That way you end up with a dud handset.