should I share an imei number to bidder on Ebay?

stulaunch

I have been asked by a bidder to give him the imei number from my HTC desire handset that is on sale on Ebay atm. He wants it to check authenticity of phone before bidding. Us it safe and advisable to give him it? Or is their something untowards in his request?

Gordon_Hose

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/30350025#Comment_30350025

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/19130843#Comment_19130843

Hammyman

NEVER EVER SEND ANYONE AN IMEI NUMBER OR PUT IT IN A PHOTO. They can use it to change one on a stolen phone to a legit one.

Gordon_Hose

According to the posters in the threads I supplied, a phone can be cloned if they have an IMEI number. However, it's quite difficult.

Personally, I wouldn't. I would assure the buyer that the phone isn't barred or blacklisted, and if that isn't good enough for them, then it's just tough.

grumbler

http://forums.samsungi8910omnia.com/samsung-i8910-omnia-hd-general-discussion/3429-safe-post-your-imei.html#post29185

Jon_01

Saver0811 wrote: »

No don't, if he's unsuccessful he may get it blocked out of spite, sell it to someone else.

No he can't.

Only the registered owner can get a handset (IMEI) blocked.

That's an old wife's tale.

grumbler

It's not a tale. Theoretically, IMEI number can be illegally cloned to another handset.
This handset can be blocked later that will block the original handset too.

However, there are much more easy ways to get IMEI for cloning than asking for it on e-bay.