We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Anyone know?

SCO
SCO Posts: 729 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Combo Breaker
I had my phone knicked yesterday phoned my provider got a bar on the SIM and phone.

My question is they said the phone is useless it will just tell them it is barred.

Is this true that it is useless and they wont be able to even get to the menu screen and see contacts, texts etc?

could they take it to a backstreet place and get the bar taken off?

also if they do get the bar off and use the phone can the network tell and inform the police to where it is?

Comments

  • m5rcc
    m5rcc Posts: 1,544 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    They can use the functionality of the phone but can't make calls or use data, meaning they can access private information like messages or contacts.

    The bar only works in the UK. The phones will work outside the UK.

    People who remove the bar will usually change the IMEI number so the phone has a new identity.
  • SCO
    SCO Posts: 729 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Combo Breaker
    m5rcc wrote: »
    They can use the functionality of the phone but can't make calls or use data, meaning they can access private information like messages or contacts.

    The bar only works in the UK. The phones will work outside the UK.

    People who remove the bar will usually change the IMEI number so the phone has a new identity.

    Can the network tell if a phone has a changed IMEI?
  • m5rcc
    m5rcc Posts: 1,544 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    SCO wrote: »
    Can the network tell if a phone has a changed IMEI?

    No - it's given a new lease of life. Common con of the Immobilise system
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 351.7K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.4K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 454K Spending & Discounts
  • 244.7K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 600.2K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 177.3K Life & Family
  • 258.4K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.2K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.