Does locking a stolen cell with IMEI really Help?
By pupupd
@pupupd (1515)
India
February 18, 2010 11:44pm CST
I have recently lost my brand new cell phone.
Here is the discussion which I started yesterday.
http://www.mylot.com/w/discussions/2257046.aspx
I am planning to block my cell now, so that the person who has stolen it cannot use it.
But will it really help now? It has been 5 days now since my cell is missing from my workplace. Is it of any use by blocking it now?
Have you ever done this? Was it fruitful ?
Is there anyway the person who has stolen the phone can reset the IMEI and will get a new IMEI for the phone? I think IMEI is related to the hardware and there is no way one can reset it so easily because that is a crime and against law to do it.
What are your views on this?
2 people like this
4 responses
@zoey7879 (3092)
• Quincy, Illinois
19 Feb 10
Locking a cell phone does prevent unauthorized use and charges against your bill, and probably saves your credit history. However, it doesn't return your phone to you, nor does it stop a thief from selling the phone on the second hand market.. Whether it be to a shop or an unsuspecting friend/individual.
1 person likes this
@pupupd (1515)
• India
1 Mar 10
The cell went missing from my workplace, the boys who work in pantry as waiter will not actually steal it as they are thoroughly checked before they enter the office building. Then only person left is any employee of my company. They will always try to use my balance but I had a lock code so they can't use it and also they switched it off as soon as I started calling my number. The least I could do was to block my SIM card, as my cell must have been already sold and there are ways in which the IMEI can be changed as well 
@Boyetski (986)
• Philippines
19 Feb 10
I think not. For me as long as the hardware works it doesnt matter how they lock it thru software, it will still be useful. When it is stolen they almost always sell it instantly to a technician with tools to use it whenever wherever they want. Or sell it on a cheaper price.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (71717)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
20 Feb 10
The Immei has nothing to do with the fuction of the phone. that's how your phone is tracked through your provider. Now blocking your phone is a good idea. It disables your sim card rindering your phone useless. So whoever has it can't use it to talk, text, or do anything with the thing except view the time. So its basically a hunk of junk.
@pupupd (1515)
• India
1 Mar 10
I know disabling the IMEI means blocking its SIM card, right? Or the network capturing ability is also disabled? No other SIM card will work in it? But the facilty is still not available in my country I went to NOKIA service provider, they said only my SIM can be blocked and not the IMEI!!
I went to NOKIA service provider, they said only my SIM can be blocked and not the IMEI!!
@oms_thetruth1990 (164)
• India
20 Feb 10
IF you not able to trace your IMEI number......
than i think its good for you to lock that IMEI number if you can..
After locking that number you will not be able trace that also..
@pupupd (1515)
• India
1 Mar 10
The facility to lock IMEI has not yet arrived in my country I can only block my number i.e SIM so that I am not charged anything, but I have a prepaid card so the thiefs themselves have to recharge in order to use my number. Here mostly people have prepaid cards. I had around 2$ in my balance, so I did not worry about it, but my cell was of 180$, now this is a BIG reason to worry!
I can only block my number i.e SIM so that I am not charged anything, but I have a prepaid card so the thiefs themselves have to recharge in order to use my number. Here mostly people have prepaid cards. I had around 2$ in my balance, so I did not worry about it, but my cell was of 180$, now this is a BIG reason to worry! 