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What to do when your cell phone gets lost...
Unknown

Posted on 08/15/2006 10:52:57 AM PDT by Frwy

I searched on the title and found nothing even similar.

Here is something worth knowing if you have a mobile phone ....Have you ever wondered why phone companies don't seem interested in trying to prevent the theft of mobile phones? If you have ever lost, or had one stolen, and if you are on a plan, you still have to pay the plan approximately up to 24 months, and you have to buy another handset and enter into another contract. This is more revenue for the phone company.

There is a simple way of making lost or stolen mobiles useless to thieves and the phone companies know about it, but keep it quiet.

To check your mobile phone's serial number, key in the following on your phone: star-hash-zero-six-hash (* # 0 6 #) and a fifteen digit code will appear on the screen. This is unique to your handset. Write it down and keep it safe.

Should your mobile phone get stolen, you can phone your service provider and give them this code. They will then be able to block your handset, so even if the thief changes the sim card, your phone will be totally useless.

You probably won't get your phone back, but at least you know that whoever stole it can't use/sell it either.

If everybody did this, there would be no point in stealing mobile phones. You may want to send this to as many people with mobiles as possible.

No charge for directory assistance. Phone companies are charging us $1.00 or more for 411 - information calls when they don't have to. When you need to use the 411/information option, simply dial 1-800-FREE-411 or 1-800-373-3411 without incurring a charge.

This works on all cell phones.


TOPICS: Miscellaneous; Your Opinion/Questions
KEYWORDS: cellphones
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1 posted on 08/15/2006 10:53:00 AM PDT by Frwy
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To: Frwy

That is odd.

I have had a phone lost and never ran into the contract problem you mentioned in your opening statement.

My cell phone company canceled out the serial number attached to my contract. My number was ported to my new handset with the new serial number.

I'm on the same plan. Only additional cost was a new handset.


2 posted on 08/15/2006 10:57:21 AM PDT by Calpernia (Breederville.com)
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To: Frwy
Hold my beer while I key this?

When someone else keys in that number and their phone is still working, please post the "all clear." Thanks!

3 posted on 08/15/2006 10:57:36 AM PDT by NonValueAdded (Tom Gallagher - the anti-Crist [FL Governor, 2006 primary])
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To: Frwy
CHECK WITH SNOPES FIRST !!!!

http://www.snopes.com/crime/prevent/celltheft.asp

Mostly bogus, the only partially true bit is that the sequence works on some US phones - GSM phones (TMobile and Cingular)

4 posted on 08/15/2006 10:57:42 AM PDT by mwilli20
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To: Frwy

Why do you need the code. If the phone is lost you call the provider who already has the code to disconnect.


5 posted on 08/15/2006 10:58:17 AM PDT by Orange1998
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To: Frwy

wHEN I POST THE *#06# i GET NOTHING???


6 posted on 08/15/2006 10:58:41 AM PDT by mmyers
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To: Frwy

Very useful indeed.

Does anyone know other tips or tricks? Like the Sprint 800 number that will read back your phone number from where you are calling from?


7 posted on 08/15/2006 10:59:11 AM PDT by jmq (Islam=Religion of Peace)
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8 posted on 08/15/2006 10:59:28 AM PDT by evets (08-22-06)
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To: mmyers

Sure it did. Maybe some hacker just got your code. :)


9 posted on 08/15/2006 11:00:09 AM PDT by Orange1998
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To: Frwy

wHEN I POST THE *#06# i GET NOTHING???


10 posted on 08/15/2006 11:00:19 AM PDT by mmyers
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To: Frwy

For reasons I don't undeerstand, I had a lot of trouble keying this in. The "#" key acted like it didn't want to register.

But eventually it worked.


11 posted on 08/15/2006 11:01:55 AM PDT by js1138 (Well I say there are some things we don't want to know! Important things!")
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To: NonValueAdded

The sequence is safe to key-in on T-Mobile and Cingular (and other GSM) phones and Blackberries. It displays on the phone screen the IMEI (serial number) of the phone.

You can achieve the same result by checking the serial number printed on the back of the phone or the box it came in.

On other carriers I am not sure, but I believe it does nothing.


12 posted on 08/15/2006 11:02:00 AM PDT by mwilli20
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To: Frwy
My phone ID is "Self Destruct in 60 seconds". Is that what I sould tell my phone company? Oh, it's changed to "Self Destruct in 45 seconds".
13 posted on 08/15/2006 11:02:55 AM PDT by KarlInOhio ("Advertisements... contain the only truths to be relied on in a newspaper" - Thomas Jefferson)
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To: jmq

There was a comic strip yesterday depicting an old lady who bought a cell phone so she could call it to find her misplaced pocket book.


14 posted on 08/15/2006 11:04:07 AM PDT by bert (K.E. N.P. Keep watch for the Mahdi...... he's coming on 22 August!!)
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To: Frwy; MotleyGirl70; Larry Lucido; Mr. Brightside

Jerry: I'd better call the car phone company, cancel my service.

George: Maybe you should call your car phone.

Jerry: Yeah, he's probably driving it right now.

George: Wait a minute, call the car phone, see what happens.

Jerry: Are you serious?

George: Yeah, go ahead, call.

Jerry: I don't even know if I remember the number.

Jerry dials.

Jerry: What do I say if he picks up?

Car thief: Hello?

Jerry: Hello? Is this 555-8383?

Car thief: I have no idea.

Jerry: Can I ask you a question?

Car thief: Sure.

Jerry: Did you steal my car?

Car thief: Yes I did.

Jerry: You did?!

Car thief: I did.

Jerry: That's my car!

Car thief: I didn't know it was yours.

Jerry: What are you gonna do with it?

Car thief: I dunno, drive around.

Jerry: Then can I have it back?

Car thief: Mmmm, nah, I'm gonna keep it.


15 posted on 08/15/2006 11:04:09 AM PDT by Cagey
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To: mmyers

Read the Snopes link. It only applies to GSM phones.


16 posted on 08/15/2006 11:04:11 AM PDT by steve-b ("Creation Science" is to the religous right what "Global Warming" is to the socialist left.)
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To: jmq

Sure, for a cot and 3 hot meals a day, just dial 911 and start cursing. Repeat if necessary.


17 posted on 08/15/2006 11:04:48 AM PDT by Sax (You Done Tore Out My Heart And Stomped That Sucker Flat)
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To: KarlInOhio

the code needed for my provider is on the inside of the phone. i recently bought a phone on ebay for sis, the phone had been reported missing and couldn't be turned on. got the money back.


18 posted on 08/15/2006 11:05:33 AM PDT by libbylu
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To: Frwy

Call the number and tell whoever answers they've won the color TV from the drawing they entered at the hardware store. Unfortunately, you can't make out the address on the entry form and need to know where to deliver it.


19 posted on 08/15/2006 11:06:20 AM PDT by tacticalogic ("Oh bother!" said Pooh, as he chambered his last round.)
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To: Frwy

I tried to copy and paste one paragraph with the method of obtaining the code, and it wiped out my notes.

Then I copied it to wordpad in .rtf format and copied it back to my notes, wiped them out again.

Good thing I didn't save my misc info and code file I keep adding useful bits on info to. What gives with that?


20 posted on 08/15/2006 11:07:16 AM PDT by Aliska
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