Making lost or stolen mobile phones useless

[CDSmith]

I was sent this email a while back, don't know how true it is. But if it IS true, it appears to be useful information to some that may not already know about it.

Have a look....

There is a simple way of making lost or stolen mobiles useless to
thieves and the phone companies know about it, but keep it quiet.

To check your mobile phone's serial number, key in the following on
characters on your phone: star-hash-zero-six-hash ( * # 0 6 # ) and a
fifteen digit code will appear on the screen. This is unique to your
handset. Write it down and keep it safe. Should your mobile phone
get stolen, you can phone your service provider and give them this
code. They will then be able to block your handset, so even if the
thief changes the sim card, your phone will be totally useless. You
probably won't get your phone back, but at least you know that
whoever stole it can't use/sell it either. If everybody did this,
there would be no point in stealing mobile phones.

You may want to send this to as many people with mobiles as possible. No
charge for directory assistance: Phone companies are charging us $1.00 or
more for 411 - information calls when they don't have to. When you need
to use the 411 / information option!, simply dial 1-800-FREE-411 or 1
800 373 3411 without incurring a charge. This is information people don't
mind receiving - Pass it on. Works on home phones and cellphones

I'm no fan of cell phones or the way some idiots use them (while driving, in restaurants, in theatres...) but I AM a fan of sticking it to thieves and crooks. :D

[Andiz]

thanks for the tip, it's the IMEI number I guess

[SmokeyTheBear]

hmm that seems rather silly as your cell provider already has your serial# thus they dont need it to deactivate your account. and even after deactivating your phone regardless of how its done ( unless its a sledghammer ) it can be re-activated..

[SmokeyTheBear]

cell companies use this same scenario to lock custmers into using ther company , so you have to go buy another phone to switch companies, but other companies will simply flash the phone and re-establish it with another carrier.

[BluewireAngie]

That would be useful here in the Philippines.

There's a lot of cellphone snatchers and robbers here. My friend lost 3 cellphones ( 2 Nokia 6680 and Nokia N90) in 2months. Fucking robbers!!!

[MSV]

works on my razr

[djroof]

Cool !!!!!!!!

[SmokeyTheBear]

Originally Posted by pornopete

PS. I just bought a stolen nokia N90 imported from the phillipenes. Did it have a slight scratch on the right side? If so then thanks a lot! Only cost me ~$50.

bwhaha your is scratched. i punched some dude in the head at a bar and took his phone . cost $0

[gimo33]

Originally Posted by BluewireAngie

That would be useful here in the Philippines.

There's a lot of cellphone snatchers and robbers here. My friend lost 3 cellphones ( 2 Nokia 6680 and Nokia N90) in 2months. Fucking robbers!!!

there is also a program here that cellphone technicians use that can change the IMEI of a phone so i think the above tip is useless here