# What's The SD on Stolen Cell Phones? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 1, 2012, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-sd-on-stolen-cell-phones/623805 "2012-06-01T18:42:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![AndyLee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/898d66/32.png) [@AndyLee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AndyLee)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2012, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-sd-on-stolen-cell-phones/623805/1 "2012-06-01T18:42:41Z")
A coworker of mine just got his iPhone stolen. He had insurance so he got it replaced, but I was just wondering what happens to the stolen phone? I thought there would be some kind of program that would allow the company to brick the phone if it was reported stolen? I looked online and see a lot of complaints about AT&T allowing people, who have had stolen phones, to reactivate them. Of course when I look online a lot of the information and complaints are years old, so I can’t tell what the current straight dope on it is. Is there a market for stolen cell phones? Not only iPhones but all upscale models? Or do they just steal them for parts? It seems like somene could invent a program to brick it fairly easy. Of course when I look online, the posters claim AT&T and others don’t want to do this as it forces you to buy insurance and allows them to move more cell phones Thanks ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2012, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-sd-on-stolen-cell-phones/623805/2 "2012-06-01T19:25:43Z")
If you report your phone stolen the service is disabled for that particular phone. Your number can then be associated with a new phone that you buy or get via your insurance company. Is there a market for stolen phones? I would think so since someone could say they just bought a used phone and want to start a new service with it. Would the phone company know that the phone had been reported stolen and somehow act on that information, such as deny you the ability to re-activate the phone, your guess is as good as mine. I would think they are always looking for new customers… ---
**Author:** ![voltaire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voltaire/32/313_2.png) [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2012, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-sd-on-stolen-cell-phones/623805/3 "2012-06-01T20:08:28Z")
There is a system in place, but it’s not universal and it can be circumvented with the right tools and knowledge. The carriers in the U.S. haven’t been using it much, but that’s about to change soon according to [a recent agreement between the carriers.](http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2012/04/10/lanier-fcc-and-wireless-carriers-to-allow-customers-to-brick-stolen-phones/) More info from wiki: > [@](#): > > The **International Mobile Equipment Identity** or **IMEI** is a number, usually unique, to identify GSM, WCDMA, and iDEN mobile phones, as well as some satellite phones. It is usually found printed inside the battery compartment of the phone. It can also be displayed on the screen of the phone by entering \ ***#06#** into the keypad on most phones. > The IMEI number is used by a GSM network to identify valid devices and therefore can be used for stopping a stolen phone from accessing that network. For example, if a mobile phone is stolen, the owner can call his or her network provider and instruct them to “blacklist” the phone using its IMEI number. This renders the phone useless on that network and sometimes other networks too, whether or not the phone’s SIM is changed. > > **\** > > Many countries have acknowledged the use of the IMEI in reducing the effect of mobile phone theft. For example, in the United Kingdom, under the Mobile Telephones (Re-programming) Act, changing the IMEI of a phone, or possessing equipment that can change it, is considered an offence under some circumstance. Such an action is also considered a criminal offence in Latvia. > > **\** > > When mobile equipment is stolen or lost the owner can typically contact their local operator with a request that it should be blocked. If the local operator possesses an Equipment Identity Register (EIR), it then will put the device IMEI into it, and can optionally communicate this to the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) which blacklists the device in all other operator switches that use the CEIR. With this blacklisting in place the device is bricked and becomes unusable on any operator that uses the CEIR, making theft of mobile equipment a useless business proposition, unless for parts. > > The IMEI number is not supposed to be easy to change, making the CEIR blacklisting effective. However this is not always the case: a phone’s IMEI may be easy to change with special tools. > > In the UK, a voluntary charter operated by the mobile networks ensures that any operator’s blacklisting of a handset is communicated to the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) and subsequently to all other networks. This ensures the handset will be unusable for calls often quite quickly and, in any case, within 48 hours. > > All UK Police forces including the Metropolitan Police Service actively check IMEI numbers of phones found involved in crime, against the National Mobile Property Register (NMPR). The NMPR draws its information from many property databases. One of the databases consulted is Immobilise which allows optional (and free) registration of devices by the public. Such registration ensures that a device coming into Police possession may be easily reunited with its registered keeper. > > In some countries, such blacklisting is not customary. In 2012. major network companies in the United States proposed to introduce this service. > > **Limitations** > > [ul] > [li]“New IMEIs can be programmed into stolen handsets and 10% of IMEIs are not unique.” According to a BT Cellnet spokesman quoted by the BBC.[/li][li]IMEIs can sometimes be unlisted depending on local arrangements. This would typically include quoting a password which was chosen at the time the blacklisting was applied.[/li][/ul] > **[International Mobile Equipment Identity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Mobile_Equipment_Identity)** > > The International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) is a numeric identifier, usually unique, for 3GPP and iDEN mobile phones, as well as some satellite phones. It is usually found printed inside the battery compartment of the phone but can also be displayed on-screen on most phones by entering the MMI Supplementary Service code \*#06# on the dialpad, or alongside other system information in the settings menu on smartphone operating systems. > GSM networks use the IMEI number to identify valid device... ---
**Author:** ![voltaire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voltaire/32/313_2.png) [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2012, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-sd-on-stolen-cell-phones/623805/4 "2012-06-01T20:12:53Z")
P.S. All that means is that a stolen phone can be rendered difficult/impractical **to use as a cell-phone.** A stolen smart phone could still be used as a handheld computer and take advantage of wifi access. ---
**Author:** ![Blakeyrat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blakeyrat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blakeyrat)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2012, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-sd-on-stolen-cell-phones/623805/5 "2012-06-01T22:47:20Z")
> [@voltaire](#): > > There is a system in place, but it’s not universal and it can be circumvented with the right tools and knowledge. The carriers in the U.S. haven’t been using it much, but that’s about to change soon according to [a recent agreement between the carriers.](http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2012/04/10/lanier-fcc-and-wireless-carriers-to-allow-customers-to-brick-stolen-phones/) > > More info from wiki: > [International Mobile Equipment Identity - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Mobile_Equipment_Identity) BTW, I called ATT to “unlock” a phone just a couple weeks ago, and before giving me an unlock code they definitely asked for and verified the IMEI number from the phone. So ATT does check that, but I can’t say for sure whether the database they check against includes only ATT phones or whether it also lists T-Mobile, Verizon, etc phones. ---
**Author:** ![voltaire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voltaire/32/313_2.png) [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2012, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-sd-on-stolen-cell-phones/623805/6 "2012-06-01T23:15:03Z")
> [@Blakeyrat](#): > > BTW, I called ATT to “unlock” a phone just a couple weeks ago, and before giving me an unlock code they definitely asked for and verified the IMEI number from the phone. > > So ATT does check that, but I can’t say for sure whether the database they check against includes only ATT phones or whether it also lists T-Mobile, Verizon, etc phones. Well they need that number for the purpose of your phone having a unique identifier (sort of like an IP address) for communicating with the cell towers. It also tells them all of the details of the phone, like manufacturer, model, firmware, etc. They would need that in order to properly unlock the phone. They didn’t ask for the number just to determine if it was stolen. ---
**Author:** ![dtrobson099](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e36b37/32.png) [@dtrobson099](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtrobson099)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2012, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-sd-on-stolen-cell-phones/623805/7 "2012-06-01T23:19:28Z")
They do not prevent stolen phones from being activated, and they won’t unless someone makes them. Why would they turn down monthly income from someone who wants to activate? After all, they lose money selling the phone, they make money on the contract. What is their motivation to do the right thing here? A conscience? AT&T and Verizon may legally be people, but they’ll never have a conscience. ---
**Author:** ![voltaire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voltaire/32/313_2.png) [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2012, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-sd-on-stolen-cell-phones/623805/8 "2012-06-01T23:28:08Z")
> [@dtrobson099](#): > > They do not prevent stolen phones from being activated, and they won’t unless someone makes them. Why would they turn down monthly income from someone who wants to activate? After all, they lose money selling the phone, they make money on the contract. What is their motivation to do the right thing here? A conscience? AT&T and Verizon may legally be people, but they’ll never have a conscience. You apparently didn’t click on my link upthread. [Here’s a link](http://www.washingtonpost.com/2012/04/10/gIQAZG9L7S_story.html) and quote from the source of the story. (written in mid-April): > [@Washington Post](#): > > The nation’s largest wireless carriers agreed to help federal regulators and local law enforcement crack down on cellphone theft by creating a centralized database to identify stolen phones and render them useless. Within six months, consumers will be able to call Verizon Wireless, AT&T, Sprint Nextel and T-Mobile if their devices are stolen and the carriers will block the phones from being used again. ---
**Author:** ![dtrobson099](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e36b37/32.png) [@dtrobson099](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtrobson099)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2012, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-sd-on-stolen-cell-phones/623805/9 "2012-06-01T23:35:07Z")
> [@voltaire](#): > > You apparently didn’t click on my link upthread. [Here’s a link](http://www.washingtonpost.com/2012/04/10/gIQAZG9L7S_story.html) and quote from the source of the story. (written in mid-April): I did not, and it would appear I stand corrected. Still, it does appear that someone did have to make them do it… ---
**Author:** ![Cheshire\_Human](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Cheshire\_Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheshire_Human)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2012, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-sd-on-stolen-cell-phones/623805/10 "2012-06-02T00:30:42Z")
> [@voltaire](#): > > There is a system in place, but it’s not universal and it can be circumvented with the right tools and knowledge. The carriers in the U.S. haven’t been using it much, but that’s about to change soon according to [a recent agreement between the carriers.](http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2012/04/10/lanier-fcc-and-wireless-carriers-to-allow-customers-to-brick-stolen-phones/) > > More info from wiki: > [International Mobile Equipment Identity - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Mobile_Equipment_Identity) > > > [@](#): > > > > …It can also be displayed on the screen of the phone by entering \*#06# into the keypad on most phones… My phone says “Service not allowed”. ETA: and I bought the phone a month ago. ---
**Author:** ![voltaire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voltaire/32/313_2.png) [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2012, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-sd-on-stolen-cell-phones/623805/11 "2012-06-02T01:01:34Z")
> [@Cheshire\_Human](#): > > My phone says “Service not allowed”. ETA: and I bought the phone a month ago. Yeah, I don’t think it works on all phones/carriers. The number should be somewhere on/in your phone, either near the battery, or available through some menu option. ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2012, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-sd-on-stolen-cell-phones/623805/12 "2012-06-02T01:35:21Z")
> [@dtrobson099](#): > > I did not, and it would appear I stand corrected. Still, it does appear that someone did have to make them do it… Well, your original point is well-taken, but I wonder if they might find some advantage in coordinating a blacklist for phones. It would mean that more people would be forced to get (new) phones from the provider, who of course, gives them away with plans as a kind of decoy that distracts the consumer from the higher rates and long contracts. I wonder, though, if this blacklisting actually is _permanent_–as in for ever and ever. Apparently there are ways of changing the IMEI number, because the law makes it illegal to do so. ---
**Author:** ![dtrobson099](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e36b37/32.png) [@dtrobson099](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtrobson099)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2012, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-sd-on-stolen-cell-phones/623805/13 "2012-06-02T02:07:16Z")
> [@guizot](#): > > I wonder, though, if this blacklisting actually is _permanent_–as in for ever and ever. Apparently there are ways of changing the IMEI number, because the law makes it illegal to do so. IMEI isn’t even a thing on every phone. It’s a standard on a GSM network, like AT&T, but Verizon and Sprint (CDMA) were using MEID up until very recently. Could work the same way, I’m not sure. I do know that with jailbreaking on iOS and rooting on Android, it’s entirely possible that a user could gain access to this information and change it. Neither of those processes are illegal, while both may void warranties and violate terms of use, illegal is not the word I’d use. Either way, we’re talking a very low percentage of cell phone thieves that would possess the know-how on how to accomplish this. The guy that grabs your phone out of your hand and takes off down the street is probably going to realize all he can do is fence the thing at a less-than-reputable pawn shop for a fraction of what it’s worth. Plus, these kinds of phones often have GPS tracking capabilities should they be lost or stolen, making them less likely targets already. With cell phones having a useful life span of 2-3 years before they start to fall apart, I would say, yeah, it’s pretty permanent. ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2012, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-sd-on-stolen-cell-phones/623805/14 "2012-06-02T03:02:36Z")
> [@dtrobson099](#): > > IMEI isn’t even a thing on every phone. It’s a standard on a GSM network, like AT&T, but Verizon and Sprint (CDMA) were using MEID up until very recently. Could work the same way, I’m not sure. I do know that with jailbreaking on iOS and rooting on Android, it’s entirely possible that a user could gain access to this information and change it. Neither of those processes are illegal, while both may void warranties and violate terms of use, illegal is not the word I’d use. Yes, MEID is still in use for Verizon and Sprint. It are used to enforce which devices are allowed on the network. At my old company, we stored the IMEI in write-once memory. You couldn’t change it. To have your phone present as a different device, you would have to get signed firmware that ignored the value written in the protected memory, and use it’s own instead. Technically possible, but very difficult. -D/a ---
**Author:** ![StephenG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7feea3/32.png) [@StephenG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StephenG)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2012, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-sd-on-stolen-cell-phones/623805/15 "2012-06-02T04:40:14Z")
I apologize for the hijack… > [@voltaire](#): > > that number for the purpose of your phone having a unique identifier (sort of like an IP address) for communicating with the cell towers. It also tells them all of the details of the phone, like manufacturer, model, firmware, etc. They would need that in order to properly unlock the phone. An IP address is _not_ a unique identifier for a device; an IP address is a number assigned by the gateway/ISP (read “tower/carrier”), usually for a limited amount of time, and can easily be assigned to a new device. In the world of cell phones, the IP address is more like the SIM number. The number unique to the hardware, the IMEI for the phone, is more like the MAC address of a computer (or NIC, to be specific) – which can also be changed with special tools/software. ---
**Author:** ![md2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@md2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md2000)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2012, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-sd-on-stolen-cell-phones/623805/16 "2012-06-02T05:24:51Z")
When I wanted my old iPhone 3GS unlocked, the carrier (for a fee of $50) configured the setting on the Apple site; next time I did an update from iTunes, it figured out it was unlocked. It then works fine with any SIM card; I took it overseas, and plunked in a generic card from a foreign carrier. That card had been bought by someone else without knowing the details of my phone. It worked fine. I presume, though, the carrier then knows my IMEI if they choose to do anything about that. But obviously, an unlocked phone is not automatically theft-proofed; but if you use it for any length of time in one country, expect a knock on the door someday? I suppose a thief could jailbreak an iPhone for the same effect. Other phones, the unlock codes are widely available. ---
**Author:** ![voltaire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voltaire/32/313_2.png) [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2012, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-sd-on-stolen-cell-phones/623805/17 "2012-06-02T06:41:04Z")
> [@StephenG](#): > > I apologize for the hijack… > > An IP address is _not_ a unique identifier for a device; an IP address is a number assigned by the gateway/ISP (read “tower/carrier”), usually for a limited amount of time, and can easily be assigned to a new device. In the world of cell phones, the IP address is more like the SIM number. The number unique to the hardware, the IMEI for the phone, is more like the MAC address of a computer (or NIC, to be specific) – which can also be changed with special tools/software. Well, yeah, if you want to get technical about it. I said “sort of” since I didn’t need to, for the simple point I was trying to make in layman’s terms.