Mr.Manchester

Is it illegal to change the IMEI number on a T68 phone?

its been locked cos a mate didnt pay the bill ITS NOT STOLEN!!!!

if its not illegal, where can i get it done?

what would scooby do

don't think it's illegal - try your local market mobile man!

*Sonic*

I thought it was illegal to change the IEMI number, cant you get the service provider to change it, or unlock it, or do they want the outstanding bill paying ?

Mr.Manchester

i know the IMEI number, iv got it off the phone.

iv been to the local market man and they couldnt do it

asifR1

it isn't strictly illegal to change the IMEI.....it's illegal to own the software capable of changing IMEI, up tofive years imprisonment so no-one is risking it...

i've heard of a couple of ppl that do it but they chrg in excess of £60 per phone

an imei blocked fone can be used for txt'in only

Chris L

Mobile Telephone (Re-programming) Act 2002. The ability to own / use any product capable of changing an IMEI number was made illegal in the United Kingdom on 4 Oct 2002.

Most companies that offer SIM unlocking services (which is not illegal), will have a disclaimer saying that they don't provide any service connected with IMEI changing. Therefore, no legit company will touch it. Potential for 5 years in jail.

Chris

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

Your basically changing the identity of that peice of equipment, if someone did that to a car what would you think?

Tony

MarkO

This also begs the question, what would you change the IMEI number to? I mean, I presume they're allocated to manufacturers, and not just random numbers, otherwise there'd be duplication. So how would you get a legit IMEI number that the networks wouldn't think was stolen anyway?

Sounds to me like the best bet is to sell the handset on eBay to somebody in another country (since IMEI locking is only per country or per operator) and get a new handset.

If it's been locked 'cos a mate didn't pay the bill, then it would be illegal for him to give it to you anyway (since I think technically until you finish the contract the manufacturer still has dabs on the hardware). That's why they lock it. So if he didn't pay the bill, the network locked it, and he gives the handset to you, then technically it is stolen....