Understanding AT&T IMEI blocking.

[ratbrain]

Originally Posted by RotaryP7

IMEI gets blocked by AT&T and T-Mobile. All GSM carriers in the US. It will stay at "No Service" ; the iPhone becomes an iPod only unless you use it overseas.

from personal experience, thats exactly what happens.

if you use a stolen phone and the original owner reports it stolen, the phone will eventually stop working with a message saying device is blocked from this network or something. (for ATT and tmo)

and if you have an ATT sim your account also gets locked out.

[617aircav]

I think that you should only be able to report your phone stolen if it has active on your account recently. This will prevent someone from selling their phone and then next week report it stolen to get another one.

[Applejuiced]

Originally Posted by 617aircav

I have a friend in the UK so he is going to get it.

I hear you, that's a better option.

[617aircav]

Originally Posted by Applejuiced

I hear you, that's a better option.

Yep and he is paying $500 for it so I'm not at a loss.

[GeorgieAcevedo]

Just a quick update.

So I blocked the IMEI. I got an email yesterday from AT&T saying someone was trying to activate the iPhone I blocked and the person was in Boston. (200 miles away from me) I live in manhattan. I just had an awesome laugh that the stolen iPhone cannot be used.

[617aircav]

Originally Posted by GeorgieAcevedo

Just a quick update.

So I blocked the IMEI. I got an email yesterday from AT&T saying someone was trying to activate the iPhone I blocked and the person was in Boston. (200 miles away from me) I live in manhattan. I just had an awesome laugh that the stolen iPhone cannot be used.

can't be used in the united states but will work in other countries when unlocked.

[GeorgieAcevedo]

Originally Posted by 617aircav

can't be used in the united states but will work in other countries when unlocked.

That's good enough.