topic Re: Unblocking a phone in Apple

Unblocking a phone

Anonymous — Sun, 10 Dec 2017 12:30:26 GMT

Can anyone help me get an iPhone unblocked?

I made an insurance claim with O2 in July 2016 and was sent a replacement iPhone 6+ never had any issues using the phone etc. Have just upgraded to the iphoneX and thought I’d use O2’s recycle service for my 6+

I had an email from O2 Recycle saying they can’t offer me any money for my phone because it’s been blocked and to contact CheckMEND for details

Contacted them and they told me the device was blocked by Vodafone Italy in February 2016 some 5 or so months BEFORE I received the phone from O2? I was advised to get in contact with Vodafone to get the block/red flag lifted. I contacted Vodafone and they have said the phone had never belonged to them and that in general the phone isn’t on any blacklist?

I’ve gone back to CheckMEND and O2 Recycle and all that’s happening is I’m getting my phone sent back to me, which I won’t be able to sell

Re: Unblocking a phone

Cleoriff — Sun, 10 Dec 2017 12:43:35 GMT

Hi @Anonymous If you got the replacement phone from O2 then it's up to them to unblock it. It seems as if they were the ones to send you a dodgy replacement.

I can't see this has anything to do with Vodafone at all.

The phone came from O2.

I would definitely complain https://www.o2.co.uk/how-to-complain

Re: Unblocking a phone

MI5 — Sun, 10 Dec 2017 13:01:39 GMT

I guess a similar IMEI number was blocked by Voda in Italy and whoever did it mistyped your number.
This is certainly something that O2 needs to sort out with Voda directly so don't be fobbed off and complain to the CEO if you have to.
Mistakes can be made, but it's how they are dealt with that is important.

Re: Unblocking a phone

Anonymous — Sun, 10 Dec 2017 13:02:44 GMT

I wonder if they input the wrong Imei or its o2 recycle trying to pull another fast one & having to not pay out

Re: Unblocking a phone

Anonymous — Sun, 10 Dec 2017 14:07:54 GMT

O2 Recycle told me I have to contact CheckMEND who are the company they use to check all phones before purchasing them, CheckMEND said the phone was blocked by Vodafone so I would need to contact them to get the red flag removed. Vodafone said they never owned the phone and that O2 have a direct line to Vodafone and they should of contacted Vodafone not tell me to do it. When I pointed this out to O2 all I got back was my phone is being returned to me. Which is about as much use as a chocolate teapot seeing as its on a global blacklist and had been since before the phone was sent to me

Re: Unblocking a phone

Anonymous — Sun, 10 Dec 2017 14:12:32 GMT

@Anonymous You may wish to put in a complaint if you are getting nowhere

https://www.o2.co.uk/how-to-complain

Re: Unblocking a phone

Cleoriff — Sun, 10 Dec 2017 14:15:03 GMT

@AnonymousDisregard what O2 recycle told you. They are partnered with O2 and are trying to absolve themselves of responsibility.

Bottom line O2 sent you a phone which was ok until you tried to sell it on . It was found to be blocked. Now it doesnt matter who why when this happened....you were sent a phone by O2 NOT vodafone. They should have checked it before sending it out to an unsuspecting customer

It's O2's job to sort this and no one elses. Make the complaint in the link I gave...

Re: Unblocking a phone

MI5 — Sun, 10 Dec 2017 15:17:54 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Vodafone said they never owned the phone and that O2 have a direct line to Vodafone and they should of contacted Vodafone not tell me to do it.

Exactly what I said above.

Voda blocked it, by accident and O2 need to tell them to unblock it.

Re: Unblocking a phone

jonsie — Sun, 10 Dec 2017 15:43:57 GMT

Is the phone still working.?

Re: Unblocking a phone

MI5 — Sun, 10 Dec 2017 15:57:13 GMT

It will be working fine everywhere apart from Italy I would guess......

Re: Unblocking a phone

jonsie — Sun, 10 Dec 2017 16:04:58 GMT

I'm just wondering if CEX make the same check or he could sell it privately to someone living here. It would save a lot of hassle.

Re: Unblocking a phone

Anonymous — Sun, 10 Dec 2017 16:10:39 GMT

Well it appears to be working as they have been using it but as to CEX. They would get the cash but I don’t know how deeply they check phones whether they just test they turn on & charge etc?

Re: Unblocking a phone

Cleoriff — Sun, 10 Dec 2017 17:29:31 GMT

@jonsie wrote:
Is the phone still working.?

Well it was working on O2 when they sent it to @Anonymous as a replacement phone...

Re: Unblocking a phone

MI5 — Sun, 10 Dec 2017 17:50:47 GMT

@jonsie wrote:
I'm just wondering if CEX make the same check or he could sell it privately to someone living here. It would save a lot of hassle.

It would only fall over if it was tried to be used in Italy so there's a 90% chance it wouldn't be discovered.

There is talk of making IMEI blocking an International thing as most stolen phones get shipped abroad to be sold where they will still work.