IMEI Block

[dbone83]

Hi Everyone

Might be a bit of a tricky one this but i'll try and explain as well as i can.

I have had an iPhone 12 mini for a few years now purchased direct from Apple. I have a sim only with O2 which was working fine with my 12 mini. Around 2 months ago, I was able to use a 13 pro that we had in the office at work that wasn't being used. The battery on my 12 was starting to last less and less so started to use the 13 pro and stuck the 12 mini in my draw.

Anyway at the weekend, the 13 pro was stolen so I contacted O2 via Twitter to cancel my sim and get a replacement. They told me they have put a bar on the device and on the sim and sent me a replacement sim out.

Replacement sim arrived today so thought i would just use my old 12 mini with the new sim for now. When i inserted the sim, the phone says no service. Tried the sim in my sisters phone and it worked straight away so no issue with the sim.

Managed to contact CS through the online chat on the website and they said they had removed the blocks on my account. I have used online IMEI checkers and it's telling me that my 12 mini is blacklisted as it was reported stolen to a network provider.

I tried to explain to the agent that they have blocked the wrong device and blocked my 12 mini rather that the 13 pro (O2 wouldnt have know I was using a 13 pro as I didnt inform them when i switched my handset). 

The agent on the chat kept telling me the blocks had been removed and i need to get me device checked as it sounds faulty. I know there's nothing wrong with the device and the issue is the IMEI is blacklisted as multiple sites are telling me. The agent hen basically said we have now finished work so are going to terminate the chat. 

Can someone on here please tell me how i can get the IMEI block removed?

Any help much appreciated.

[Cleoriff · Accepted solution]

@dbone83 

You have to persevere with O2. Call on any of these numbers

Call 202 from your mobile or 0344 809 0202, 0800 902 0217 or 0800 032 1402 

If you have no access to a phone then use Skype to call 0800 032 1402 Guide: A Guide to Skype 

When you call, you will be asked for the reason you are calling,

Stay silent for 15 seconds and you will be taken to the keypad options.

Press 2 for Everything Else

Press 5 for More Options

Press 7 for Anything Else which will put you though to an advisor.

Press Upgrade, Lost/Stolen or Fraud if you have to.

8am is the best time to call

[dbone83]

Thanks for your reply.

I will give the Skype suggestion a try tomorrow.

The agent was pretty insistent that the blocks had been removed but kept referring them to account bars or sim bars rather that device or IMEI.

 Once the blocks are removed is it instant or can it take some time? am i just being impatient?

[Cleoriff]

@dbone83 

Once the block is removed, you will be able to use your phone immediately.

[dbone83]

I got through to someone this morning around 8.30am. After they asked me to give them the IMEI number and make model,  they confirmed that the block was still on and that they have now removed it but will take around 3-4 hours. They said sometimes it can speed things up by regularly restarting my phone. I have been doing this but phone still not active. Will keep trying over the next few hours.

Thanks again!

[Cleoriff]

Best of luck @dbone83 👍

[dbone83]

Just to let you know, the block has now been removed and my phone is back up and running.

Really appreciate your help. 👍

[Cleoriff]

Great news @dbone83 😊