Son's phone stolen abroad

zagfles

pimento wrote: »

When he gets a replacement SIM, have him put a PIN lock on it. That way, once the phone is re-started or the SIM is removed, it needs the PIN is required to use it.

And a phone PIN or pattern lock. Not much use having a SIM lock if the phone isn't locked.

mansemum66

Thanks for all the advice. His phone was pin protected but not his SIM card. I have tried to contact his friend via FB he also had his phone stolen and I doubt he has reported it. What a mess! TBH we have done everything we can here and are waiting for EE to get back to us tomorrow. Not much sleep again tonight for us.

stoneman

So if his phone was pin protected they couldnt get into it to use it. At worst its been sold, but doubt any bill has been run up. Even if it has it's max £35 a day for data.

mansemum66

Unfortunately we know from EE that the sim was removed and used. In the first day the thieves had racked up a bill of £600, it was £3000+ by Saturday.

elsien

If he can find time to post on fb that his phone's been nicked then he can find time to report it, surely? And obviously someone has Internet access, if they're on social media.
Is he on a package holiday, could one of the reps track him down?

mansemum66

His friend was on FB last night, I'm guessing it was via an Internet cafe. That's how we found out and stopped the phone. Yes, he had time to report it, unfortunately not the common sense though. I'm not making excuses for him, I've yet to deal with him when he gets home because he thought he knew it all. Just trying to salvage what we can from the situation because whatever he's done the contract is in our name.

zagfles

Don't worry too much - the network are likely to let you off some of the bill. Professional thieves steal phones in order to rack up massive bills to premium rate numbers, the networks know this happens but do little to prevent it.

I think legally they can only charge the cost to them, a bit like if you break something in a shop, the shop can only charge the cost to them not the full retail price.

I'm sure the networks will be more proactive if the cap on stolen charges eventually comes in. They've been talking about for ages:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-32005851

elsien

I don't think the OP should assume they'll be let off part of the bill. And I also think you're incorrect in saying that legally they can only charge the cost to them. If the contract is clear then the bill payer is liable till the phone is reported stolen. Might be worth checking the small, print in case there's any wriggle room.
However if you've been a good customer on a family contract, there may be room to negotiate. Can't do any harm to ask, if they want to keep the business. And definitely ask for a payment plan - if the bill is that big it would be unreasonable to expect it all in one go. Hope you get something sorted.

pollypenny

I'm sorry, but I would be livid if my son had not bothered to report the theft of his phone, knowing mum and dad would pick up the bill.

He might be a young lad, but he's old enough to gallivant on his own, so he can take responsibility for his costly possessions.

wiltsguy_2

mansemum66 wrote: »

Unfortunately we know from EE that the sim was removed and used. In the first day the thieves had racked up a bill of £600, it was £3000+ by Saturday.

£3k...thats horrendous! seems to be a common scam carried out abroad

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/bills/article-2839935/The-3-5bn-mobile-phone-theft-racket-Beware-crooks-run-vast-bills-calling-premium-rate-lines-stolen-mobile-leaving-counting-cost.html