how do you check if a mobile is stolen

dave030445

Hi all iam looking on a well known selling site to buy a mobile phone for my daughter. Is there a way of checking if its stolen before I buy it.

grumbler

http://www.checkmend.com/uk/
I have never used them and possibly there are free other ways to check.

However, you can never be 100% sure as it's not unknown to sell a phone, wait until Paypal protection expires and then report it stolen to claim on insurance.

Mickyk

When you get it if it is sim blocked, then it is stolen.

Although it is not unheard of to wait a month until the sale is no longer reversible and then report stolen/lost and claim on insurance.

For this reason keep the contact details of the person you buy it from, and you can then report it for insurance fraud and recoup the money/phone.

This although is a hypothetical as I would say majority are fine, maybe like a 5% chance of being sold a stolen phone, as these normally find there way overseas as they cannot be blocked outside of the UK.

JJ_Egan

IMEI check gives an idea of origins .

http://www.numberingplans.com/?page=analysis&sub=imeinr

Possible check with the National Property Register .
http://www.immobilise.com/

jje

Buzby

It is a good idea, but ultimately futile. If it works when you get it (which means it is not barred) then there is still no guarantee that some months down the line it will be, appear on the blacklist, and then be unusable.

I have purchased many phones this way and only had a problem with one. On balance, it is a risk but it would be a bad move to ignore this method of purchase - there are bargains to be had, but if the cost of buying new is only £25 or less, the guarantee or warranty is worth the expense.