I found a phone

jenny-wren

I found a phone and handed it in to a police station.

They got me to fill in a form and told me that if no one claims the phone I will get it. 'Woo hoo' I heard myself say, a new phone! Well not strictly new but as mine's knackered it can't be any worse.

Can anyone tell me if this actually happens and, if so, how long would I have to wait before I'd get it if no-one has claimed it?

dehaani

Generally after two months, you have a month to claim it.

hbloomers

I think its a few months, but I'm not quite sure

gordikin

Personally I'd have tried to call some of the numbers on the phone to try and locate the owner to return it to them.

jenny-wren

It was locked!

reehsetin

they may have probably barred it with their network so no outgoing calls could be made anyway

Golden_Anemone

jenny-wren wrote: »

It was locked!

If it's locked then how will it be any use to you even if it's not claimed? Can a phone that's locked - and I'm assuming this means it needs a PIN to unlock it - be unlocked without the PIN? :huh:

young_victor_meldrew

It is likely that the person who lost it has had the IMEI number networked barred. This means the phone will not work with any SIM Card, even if unlocked.

jenny-wren

I thought maybe I'd be able to do a factory reset or take it to pieces to reset it homehow.

absoluteutopia

You can get a barred phone unblocked and im sure some of the back street unlockers could do it for you as its a specialised procedure, but its also a criminal offence

pamperedprincess

Hi

What police station did you leave it in to please? My daughter's friend has lost her phone. I know it's unlikely to be hers but you never know.....

Thanks