Vodafone sold me a blacklisted phone! How can I remove it from O2’s blacklist?

[redpola]

I bought refurbished iPhone from vodafone. I am a Sky (O2) customer and want to put my Sky SIM in it. To my surprise the device arrived blacklisted and of course my Sky SIM does not work in it.

After 90 minutes online chat with Vodafone they have said they will "unblacklist" it within 48-72 hours.

I am concerned this will only work for their network, although "48-72hrs" may hint at a propagation to other carriers.

Should I just return the device and get a refund?

I'm concerned that

- I don't know how far this blacklisting has propagated - will my phone/SIM work in a different country for example?

- Some comments on this board suggest that dealing in blacklisted phones is actually illegal. Should I be calling the police?

- Getting it removed from the O2 blacklist will be painful, although I obviously have proof of purchase etc

Is this phone going to be more hassle than it's worth?

[MI5 · Accepted solution]

@redpola 

Send it back and request another phone.

It is illegal to posess a blacklisted phone and not worth the hassle.

[madasaf1sh]

@redpola

Being in possession of a blocked phone, may be construed as handling stolen goods, but if you bought it in good faith you have nothing to worry about.

o2 will not unblock the device, and nor will Sky Mobile, who you would need to contact as proof of purchase is not accepted as proof of ownership.

Give Vodafone the benefit of 72hours and test, if not send it back and request a refund.

[MI5]

Bought in good faith is fine and does not constitute a crime, however, retaining a device now knowing it's blacklisted could be considered fraud and certainly do not be tempted to sell it on.
It must be returned to the vendor for refund or replacement.