[Q] Is this possible? Help please!! - Samsung Epic 4G Touch

I bought a Brand new still Sealed SG II Epic 4G touch for sprint from a guy on craigslist.
Tried to activate it this morning and sprint said it was already activated. As a reuslt, i couldn't the phone. I contacted the seller and he said that he works for sprint and all he has to do is meet up with me and reprogram the phone. This sounds kind of sketchy to me because i can't see how he can reprogram the phone and deactivate the account from the phone?
But the thing is.. i'm not meeting him at the sprint store.
Any experts out there can help me out?

Maybe he stole it from the sprint store? Call sprint, check the esn, etc. There's nothing he can do that sprint cant themselves
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA App

bbedward said:
Maybe he stole it from the sprint store? Call sprint, check the esn, etc. There's nothing he can do that sprint cant themselves
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This
Call sprint and check the ESN to make sure it isn't lost or stolen.
If its not lost/stolen but currently activated to an account, its possible someone used the phone as a donor phone to clone ESN

lol man, hope its not stolen.. alwasy check the ESN before you buy any phone off a site like craigslist! and make sure you check it from the phone itself, sometimes the stickers on the box/back of phone are wrong! trust me, i work for U.S. Cellular and we have a lot of stickers that are wrong..

I called sprint and they said it was recently activated on OCT and it was not reported Stolen or Lost..
Is this a good sign?
The rep even gave me the name of the person it's under and the actual phone number it's currently activated as.
R1ptide said:
This
Call sprint and check the ESN to make sure it isn't lost or stolen.
If its not lost/stolen but currently activated to an account, its possible someone used the phone as a donor phone to clone ESN
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

aznne0 said:
I called sprint and they said it was recently activated on OCT and it was not reported Stolen or Lost..
Is this a good sign?
The rep even gave me the name of the person it's under and the actual phone number it's currently activated as.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol some customer privacy! they just give it out.. if you cant make/receive calls from the device then that means the esn was used with another device..

When u activate on the website it tells u to reprogram the phone and gives u a code
Sent from my M9300 using XDA App

That's one thing I miss about GSM phones you can use any phone even if someone stole it. Not that I support buying stolen things but it helps against scams
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA App

aznne0 said:
I called sprint and they said it was recently activated on OCT and it was not reported Stolen or Lost..
Is this a good sign?
The rep even gave me the name of the person it's under and the actual phone number it's currently activated as.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you turn it on can you make calls?
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S2

I didn't try making a call.. but It asks me to activate.. and i can tell there's reception with a 3G icon that popped up.
Is that a good sign? lol
R1ptide said:
If you turn it on can you make calls?
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I tried to activate it on the sprint website.. but when i type in the DEC number... it says that it's already been activated on another account.
So i can't proceed any further...
chrystal0925 said:
When u activate on the website it tells u to reprogram the phone and gives u a code
Sent from my M9300 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

What looks like had happened is he bought the phone online to sell using his full upgrade. Since he used his upgrade to get it, the device would be activated on his account. The phone itself may not be activated yet, but the ESN is. You need to get ahold of the guy again and have him remove the ESN from his line by swapping the devices. Now if he says that it is already off of the account, and Sprint is reporting otherwise, then he probably did steal the phone from someone else, or never did what he said he did.

Related

(Q) can you use an evo on verizon?

Topic name pretty much sums up the question but would you be able to use an evo on verizon since they are both cdma
sent from My Dinc
No, not unless you can get Verizon to accept the esn.
Sent from my 32gb HD7 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
Nope....You can try using their PRL hack, but use it at your own risk.
Would verizon even accept it
Sent from My Dinc
medion. said:
Would verizon even accept it
Sent from My Dinc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Personally I don't know, you can always call a local store and ask.
medion. said:
Topic name pretty much sums up the question but would you be able to use an evo on verizon since they are both cdma
sent from My Dinc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not going to say is impossible because as you can see everyday on here at XDA, ANYTHING is possible BUT is properly illegal because it will involve cloning the ESN from a Verizon phone onto the EVO because to tell you the truth, Verizon is NEVER going to allowed a Sprint phone on their network.....especially not one like the EVO! Your best bet is to trade your EVO for the Thunderbolt or something if you really have your mind set on the Verizon network.
this might sound dumb to some of you out there but, Why cant you just unlock the phn and go to one of the verizon authorized dealers (not a verizon store)and have them turn it on. its cdma and all they gotta do is enter the esn.
I know for fact some of those stores dont care what phn you use. they just want the $
hddwiper said:
this might sound dumb to some of you out there but, Why cant you just unlock the phn and go to one of the verizon authorized dealers (not a verizon store)and have them turn it on. its cdma and all they gotta do is enter the esn.
I know for fact some of those stores dont care what phn you use. they just want the $
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe that Verizon has the same basic policy as Sprint, which is that they don't accept phones that are not Verizon branded. It's not a question of finding a rep that "doesn't care"...the system won't accept an ESN that's not in the database of ESNs for their branded phones. That's how it works for Sprint, and though I had heard some rumblings a few years ago that Verizon would "open" their network to other devices, I don't think that actually happened. Could be wrong though.
medion. said:
Would verizon even accept it
Sent from My Dinc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
100% no. The person who does it will lose their job. On top of that the people who put in these requests to add ESN numbers to their database have all of their requests checked by the techs who actually have the power to do it. But once again they would lose their job.
Verizon was accepting them if you got the right rep who knew what they were doing, sprint had the touch pro like big red, but with more memory and headphones...people were buying that instead of verizon's..they put a stop to it.
Sent from my 32GB HD7 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App

ESN/LTE/SIM/confusingness

Question for you guys:
Since the Galaxy Nexus (and other LTE devices) use SIM cards with Verizon, is it no longer the case that they can have bad esn/meid/imei numbers?
I know activation happens automatically when you pop the sim in, I have a Thunderbolt now that I purchased used and just used my Jetpack SIM to activate it. I switch it back and forth all the time, after you swap the SIM your device changes in the MyVerizon site, along with available plans and options. I used my Thunderbolt for a long time just on a hotspot plan that way, very convenient.
I'm curious because I see "bad esn" Galaxy Nexus phones on eBay, so I just don't get why they would be bad if all the activation info is related to the SIM card and not the device itself.
Hopefully someone can educate me on this.
I know this has been asked before, but there are no good answers from my searches. Most threads end up simply saying "ask Verizon".
I know what Verizon thinks: "buy from us so we get your money"
The phones still use CDMA so they can still have bad ESNs.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Yeah, but isn't all the activation info tied to the SIM card, not the device? When Verizon activates a SIM, they don't need a device to activate it.
Does the activation process read the esn from the device and send it when trying to activate with a SIM card? (this must be how MyVerizon knows what device you're using? Maybe?) If this is the case, there must be some software somewhere doing the work?
What's the point of a SIM if it's getting a unique device id from the device? Is this just because LTE and CDMA are still kind of separate?
going off my personal experience you should be fine if you buy one. Heres my readons. I purchased a used gnex off this chick but didn't realize it used a micro sim instead of regular. I thought eh I'll be fine I doubt this chick is trying to rip me off. I go to the store and tell them I need a micro sim to activate my phone. They do their thing then ask where I got the phone from. I said this damn thing is reported stolen isn't it? Yup. Fml! $400 gone. Well I end up meeting up with another guy and buy a brand new one from him. We call Verizon to get it all set up before I pay the dude but he says DO NOT give them the last digit of the imei off the phone. I'm thinking ohhh k. And I give it to them anyways. (I was always told I was a good listener in school) they say this phone is stolen or hasn't been activated on an account so if that's the case they need to activate it. So I call back this time and leave the last digit of the imei out. And like magic it was activated and Mr Verizon rep was happy to help. So then I ask this guy if he thinks it'll work on my other gnex, he says give it a try or pop the sim in first and see if it works. And to my surprise just putting the sim in actually worked! Now instead of me being pissed and having 1 bad nexus my gf and I are enjoying our ice cream sandwiches. Hope this helps you.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA Premium App
Dude I work at Verizon and your have confirmed a theory I had thanks to you I'll be able to make some deals on the side and make some Extra $$
If at any given point you need help with your Verizon Account/Devices PM and I'll hook you up.
dnar56 said:
going off my personal experience you should be fine if you buy one. Heres my readons. I purchased a used gnex off this chick but didn't realize it used a micro sim instead of regular. I thought eh I'll be fine I doubt this chick is trying to rip me off. I go to the store and tell them I need a micro sim to activate my phone. They do their thing then ask where I got the phone from. I said this damn thing is reported stolen isn't it? Yup. Fml! $400 gone. Well I end up meeting up with another guy and buy a brand new one from him. We call Verizon to get it all set up before I pay the dude but he says DO NOT give them the last digit of the imei off the phone. I'm thinking ohhh k. And I give it to them anyways. (I was always told I was a good listener in school) they say this phone is stolen or hasn't been activated on an account so if that's the case they need to activate it. So I call back this time and leave the last digit of the imei out. And like magic it was activated and Mr Verizon rep was happy to help. So then I ask this guy if he thinks it'll work on my other gnex, he says give it a try or pop the sim in first and see if it works. And to my surprise just putting the sim in actually worked! Now instead of me being pissed and having 1 bad nexus my gf and I are enjoying our ice cream sandwiches. Hope this helps you.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dnar56 said:
going off my personal experience you should be fine if you buy one. Heres my readons. I purchased a used gnex off this chick but didn't realize it used a micro sim instead of regular. I thought eh I'll be fine I doubt this chick is trying to rip me off. I go to the store and tell them I need a micro sim to activate my phone. They do their thing then ask where I got the phone from. I said this damn thing is reported stolen isn't it? Yup. Fml! $400 gone. Well I end up meeting up with another guy and buy a brand new one from him. We call Verizon to get it all set up before I pay the dude but he says DO NOT give them the last digit of the imei off the phone. I'm thinking ohhh k. And I give it to them anyways. (I was always told I was a good listener in school) they say this phone is stolen or hasn't been activated on an account so if that's the case they need to activate it. So I call back this time and leave the last digit of the imei out. And like magic it was activated and Mr Verizon rep was happy to help. So then I ask this guy if he thinks it'll work on my other gnex, he says give it a try or pop the sim in first and see if it works. And to my surprise just putting the sim in actually worked! Now instead of me being pissed and having 1 bad nexus my gf and I are enjoying our ice cream sandwiches. Hope this helps you.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So by giving the Verizon Representative my IMEI # minus the last number....which seems to be what the MEID number is basically when looking in the settings of the phone; but anyways by doing that will allow it to activate? So in that process do I tell the person buying my phone to purchase a MicroSIM from VZW then activate over the phone?
Yes. Or they can do it in store but don't give it to the rep since they "know everything" and will want to put it in.
Sent from my Samsung iDroid
Heh, thanks for the input. I know I'm late responding...
I did buy a Nexus, all I did was take my regular sized SIM and cut it down with one of those cutters. Everything activated normally.
I had a feeling it would, just wanted to throw it out there and see if I was absolutely wrong or something. I had previously swapped my SIM between my phone and mifi without issues, so I figured I wouldn't have any issues even if there was a problem.
Thanks.

[Q] IMEI blocked?

Okay so I found galaxy note 2 from a craiglist deal, popped in sim card, everything worked great as its a tmobile version but said per seller that it was unlocked. 30 minutes later after the deal my device had been blocked from network use. My sim would no longer work in my older phone, so I called and got that fixed, but I now have a stupid nice phone that im using for a paper weight. Obviously the person who sold it to me either knew it was reported lost or stolen, or reported it after selling it to me, its whatever it happens right.
What are my options? I really want to be able to use this phone and spent a lot of money on it. I appreciate all input.
Try using another sim card I suppose
Sent from my Xperia Ray
I did, I even went to the AT&T store and they gave me a new sim card and it worked, made calls, surfed the web for like 10 minutes and the same thing happened.
pr0cl1v1ty said:
I did, I even went to the AT&T store and they gave me a new sim card and it worked, made calls, surfed the web for like 10 minutes and the same thing happened.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the only thing you can do is have the seller call att or tmobile, what ever its branded and tell them they found the devise and att can unblock the imei
Sounds like u was scammed.
Sent from my SGH-T889
Only other option may be to try it on the other carrier. If it's a TMo phone, try it on ATT and vice versa.
---------
G1(CM7)--> G2(CM9)--> Note 2 T889 stock (root + multiwindow mod)
darocsfinest1 said:
the only thing you can do is have the seller call att or tmobile, what ever its branded and tell them they found the devise and att can unblock the imei
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, I've been trying to figure out how to lookup the original buyer of this phone.
pr0cl1v1ty said:
Okay so I found galaxy note 2 from a craiglist deal, popped in sim card, everything worked great as its a tmobile version but said per seller that it was unlocked. 30 minutes later after the deal my device had been blocked from network use. My sim would no longer work in my older phone, so I called and got that fixed, but I now have a stupid nice phone that im using for a paper weight. Obviously the person who sold it to me either knew it was reported lost or stolen, or reported it after selling it to me, its whatever it happens right.
What are my options? I really want to be able to use this phone and spent a lot of money on it. I appreciate all input.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it is locked. Unlock and use through other carrier either tmobile or something that uses tmobile network mvno. If u have att note 2.
Its starting to look like its just not safe to buy this phone off Craigslist...
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium
Its not this phone. Its any phone. Run the numbers before you buy like a good consumer
Sent from my SGH-T889
I don't know if you guys have reading comprehension problems or what... Dude said he used on tmo for 30 minutes and then got blocked, and then did the same thing with AT&T. For those of you that don't know AT&T and T-Mobile now share their blacklists, meaning it will not work on any carrier that uses any of those towers. Sad to say your best option would be to sell to an international user on celltraderonline. Be very clear that it is on the US blacklist and will not work with AT&T, T-Mobile or their sister carriers.
Have you tried any T-Mobile or AT&T MVNO's like Simple Mobile or Red Pocket? That might work. If not your pretty much screwed. Unless you use it in another country.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app
JOSE89178 said:
Have you tried any T-Mobile or AT&T MVNO's like Simple Mobile or Red Pocket? That might work. If not your pretty much screwed. Unless you use it in another country.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, I guess you didn't read my post above yours.
I have been "burnt" also with buying a T-Mo Note 2 on Craigslist. I used my phone for 2 mos before it got blocked from T-Mo. I used the dialer tricked and unlocked the phone and now using it on Straight Talk Att sim. But you are right you can't use it on T-Mo network or any of the mvnos. You can only use it for ATT mvnos. I get 4g speeds and everything.
KillaHurtz said:
Wow, I guess you didn't read my post above yours.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, I guess two people can't answer at the same time.
The posts are just three minutes apart.
I guess you read my mind lol. I never saw your post. I never would of posted something double and make myself look like a fool CD they were less then 3 min apart. So excuse me :banghead:
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app
dwest3784 said:
I have been "burnt" also with buying a T-Mo Note 2 on Craigslist. I used my phone for 2 mos before it got blocked from T-Mo. I used the dialer tricked and unlocked the phone and now using it on Straight Talk Att sim. But you are right you can't use it on T-Mo network or any of the mvnos. You can only use it for ATT mvnos. I get 4g speeds and everything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if the phone has been imei blacklisted it will not work on any united states gsm service that includes straight talk... highly doubt you have a blocked phone working on straight talk
I had another thread going about being blocked on imei.
I just called tmobile and talked to them for about thirty minutes about my situation.
A quick summarization of the conversation is:
- The previous owner has been accused of fraud so that is the reason of the blocked IMEI.
- Can't do anything to unblock it, unless the previous owner retracts ther dues or whatever it is that needs to be payed.
- No third party unlocking will work.
Well for me, I fortunately have his information such as address and phone number and the text conversation still logged on my old phone. Luckily I called him today as a private number to check if he's phone still worked and still does, thank god.
Now I'm planning on calling him up tomorrow and, professionally, tell him my situation. When I met the guy, he didn't seem like a bad guy but hey, never judge a book by it's cover eh.
If he refuses any of these or won't agree to a median than I'll have to take legal actions.
That's my plan that is. I am not going to let $600.00 go to waste on a blocked phone! I'm taking this guy all the way.
*#06#
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium
not sure but can't you get rid of your IMEI by flashing a bunch of times? I had this happen with my SK4G, my IMEI number under settings was a bunch of 0s. When I called up T-mobile and asked for an unlock code for the phone, it didn't work because my IMEI was screwed up. I ended up having to alter some Hex file in order to unlock it

How to deactivate a non-stolen phone

Hi
Unable to activate a phone I bought off craigslist as there is still a number attached to the account (but not blacklisted or stolen).
How can I deactivate that number if I no longer have access to the seller ?
Go to the sprint store?
That's why you should always meet at a Sprint store. Did you call Sprint to activate? If so what did they tell you?
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Contact the seller, get them to deactivate the phone. Most likely sprint won't do anything because anyone can say they bought a phone legally.
Sent from Under water
You can't.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda premium
paulmagglios said:
Hi
Unable to activate a phone I bought off craigslist as there is still a number attached to the account (but not blacklisted or stolen).
How can I deactivate that number if I no longer have access to the seller ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unless you are the account administrator, there is no way to Deactivate a Device. With you having a Receipt you could possibly take the Device into a Sprint Store. Even then if it is from a private seller it would be difficult if the Device was still activated. Next time I would suggest using an ESN CHECKER . That way you know if the device is clear. Your best bet at this point is to try and get the seller to deactivate the device. Although it may not be easy.
ESN was checked and it came out 'clean'.....I am unable to contact the original owner so I guess I am SOL then?
prboy1969 said:
Unless you are the account administrator, there is no way to Deactivate a Device. With you having a Receipt you could possibly take the Device into a Sprint Store. Even then if it is from a private seller it would be difficult if the Device was still activated. Next time I would suggest using an ESN CHECKER . That way you know if the device is clear. Your best bet at this point is to try and get the seller to deactivate the device. Although it may not be easy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is probably a stolen phone that has not been reported. Not sure why anyone would sell there phone still activated and in use.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
paulmagglios said:
ESN was checked and it came out 'clean'.....I am unable to contact the original owner so I guess I am SOL then?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Had something similar to this happen to me with a Device. I got it sorted, but I ended up having to call Sprint. After a lot of calls, and phone time. I finally convinced a CSR to contact him. The CSR talked to him. Not sure what was asid, or asked. Outcome was that the Device was cleared, and activated. But it took over a week of calls to Sprint .
Please read forum rules before posting
Questions and help issues go in Q&A and Help section
Thread moved
Thanks
FNM

[Q] Removing Note II from Sprint

Hey guys I have a quick question,
I have a Sprint Note II that I want to activate on my line but I'm having a little issue. Back story: I acquired it because my sister failed to pay Sprint so they canceled her plan and she needed cash so she gave me her Note II in exchange for the money she needed since she no longer has Sprint. So the phone works fine, but they won't remove it from her account because she owes a balance of over $500. She's called in and even though the phone isn't financed through Sprint they won't release the SN/MEID from her account so needless to say, it cannot be added to my line. I'm wondering if there's a manner to get it off her account or change out the SN/MEID to make it usable? I've been running an HTC Evo Design for the last 2 years and really need to upgrade my phone but again, I gave my sister money so I no longer have the cash. I cannot for obvious reasons of her being my sister and requiring money tell her to give me back my money.
I originally thought they wouldn't remove it because when I called it wasn't her on the line. Even after being able to fully verify her account. I was speaking to the rep and he said that there is a manner but obviously couldn't tell me what it was so I'm turning to the trusty XDA forums.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
(even if it's not a program or something, a manner of speaking with them or getting them to take it off her account without having to pay the balance)
Thank you,
Tag
The only way it "could" have been done is if you were able to reactivate the account for a short duration then call in and Swap the phone out with an older device. It would free up the phone and you could let the acct go out again.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app
xKrisx said:
The only way it "could" have been done is if you were able to reactivate the account for a short duration then call in and Swap the phone out with an older device. It would free up the phone and you could let the acct go out again.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks man, Hoping I can do something, attempted again and they won't activate the account. lol.
Are you on Sprint too?
Odds are you're hosed if so. They always permanently brick the MEID of devices on accounts that are cancelled due to lack of payment. You can flash the device to another carrier and use it however.
Skripka said:
Are you on Sprint too?
Odds are you're hosed if so. They always permanently brick the MEID of devices on accounts that are cancelled due to lack of payment. You can flash the device to another carrier and use it however.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah pretty much. Or you can do the gsm mod and use it anywhere but the US.
Hmmm, I might flash it and put it on TMobile then..... Wonder who'd accept it...
I have my bad esn flashed to cricket no problems. Anywhere you flash it you will lose 4g, but mine works flawlessly with cricket. I have far greater reception abd 3g speeds from my previous carrier, boost mobile (which is sprint).
cmtag said:
Hmmm, I might flash it and put it on TMobile then..... Wonder who'd accept it...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't flash it to T-Mobile, they're GSM. You can only flash it to another compatible CDMA carrier. Ofcourse there are other, shall we say clandestine ways to get it on Sprint, but obviously taboo to discuss on here.

Categories

Resources