Phone found but barred - how can I get the phone released?

[Anonymous]

As it says - monthly business contract with O2 and reported phone lost. Found it again but made redundant and phone number no longer functional.

Guess the phone has been barred as PAYG sim swap will not let me get a signal.

i-Phone 5 - any ideas?

[gemz4the1]

You need to contact O2 Customer Services to get it unblocked.  Or you may need to speak to your employers regarding whether you can keep your number but change it to a personal account.

[Anonymous]

If it's IMEI barred isn't that terminal?

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:
If it's IMEI barred isn't that terminal?

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Yes it is. If your phone's IMEI has been blocked/blacklisted, you won't be able to use it.

Not in the UK anyway.

[gemz4the1]

To the best of my knowledge, it is possible to unblock, however the main issue (I think) is that it was a business contact and the OP is no longer part of the business.

Does anyone else know the T&C's regarding this?

[gemz4the1]

http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1716706

"Barred is the IMEI (serial) number of the phone will be blocked and the phone cannot be used in this country as a phone again, unless the original account holder contacts said phone co. and asks for it to be unbarred."

[Anonymous]

You can get It unbarred by contacting O2 it is possible

[Anonymous]

Good to know, cheers

[Anonymous]

No worries

[Bambino]

If the OP doesn't have the IMEI and is not the original account holder it would be very difficult, in fact probably impossible, to get the phone unbarred. Depending on how long ago this was, it's also probable that the number associated with the phone was reallocated.