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My phone has been repaired and IMEI number has changed.
I need to reinstall the old IMEI number.
Does anyone know how to do that?
It's illegal and you can't.
Your phone hasn't been repaired, it has been replaced, hence having a new IMEI.
Well, weather it's illegal or not really depends on where you are. There's no law in Bolivia for example that prevents it...
But seriously, unless you want to (try and) deceive your carrier there is no valid reason for a consumer to need to change the IMEI.
What problems are you experiencing with your new phone that you want to address?
i used have problem with my touch screen. htc fixed my problem but they changed my imei number.
i am using this phone in turkey and i registered with old imei number.
i just want to replace new imei number with the old one.
You can't. Why can you not just tell them your new IMEI?
I need a new bill for the new IMEI number.
but i don't have
tdeper said:
I need a new bill for the new IMEI number.
but i don't have
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Type *#06# into your dialer for your IMEI number
tdeper said:
I need a new bill for the new IMEI number.
but i don't have
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Click to collapse
or take off the battery, the new IMEI code is there with the serial number too.
i think what he ment is that in order to register a new IMEI he needs some prooving documents for the phone (AKA measure agains registering stolen phones)
It's not illegal to change IMEI #s in the U.S. We don't blacklist GSM phones, so thieves have no reason to change IMEIs. I want to know how to do it, though, because I think it is bull**** that AT&T tries to charge different data rates based on what kind of phone you have rather than how much data you actually use. They don't seem to be forcing the AT&T branded nexus ones onto the more expensive data plan yet, but there's speculation that it's only because they don't yet have the IMEIs in their database.
So please drop the legality comments and post if you have something useful to add.
maxh said:
It's not illegal to change IMEI #s in the U.S. We don't blacklist GSM phones, so thieves have no reason to change IMEIs. I want to know how to do it, though, because I think it is bull**** that AT&T tries to charge different data rates based on what kind of phone you have rather than how much data you actually use. They don't seem to be forcing the AT&T branded nexus ones onto the more expensive data plan yet, but there's speculation that it's only because they don't yet have the IMEIs in their database.
So please drop the legality comments and post if you have something useful to add.
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Hey dickhead drop the attitude. There was nothing like your elaboration in the op and you seem to have gained some insight that we're not privy to.
You jump in to a thread and start firing off, how about you have a little respect eh?
the regulations in Turkey state that you can register 1 imported cellphone in every 2 years, so once you use that, you are stuck with it for 2 years..its legal to change IMEI numbers until you get detected and the only consequence is that they block that IMEI number as well, nothing major..
you can change IMEI numbers for many other brands, I'm sure there is a way to do that so if anyone has an answer, I'd like to know as well in case I need it someday
Call HTC and tell them you need documentation and why. They should be able to provide it to you, OP.
And to the other guy... we have rules on this forum. One of them is that we don't do illegal ****, or teach others to do it. If AT&T disagrees with your sensibilities, change to another carrier. AT&T sucks anyway.
djmcnz said:
Hey dickhead drop the attitude. There was nothing like your elaboration in the op and you seem to have gained some insight that we're not privy to.
You jump in to a thread and start firing off, how about you have a little respect eh?
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If there's a dickhead in this thread it's the one spouting off because they think they were disrespected.
I wasn't even thinking about your post when I wrote mine. I get tired of IMEI-changing threads being effectively shutdown when someone makes a big deal over legality because it's illegal where they live and they assume it is everywhere. In plenty of the world it is not illegal and there are good reasons to want to do it to phones you legitimately own.
If there was any "attitude" at all in my post it was animosity towards carriers. I had no attitude towards any posters in this thread. I was even polite, saying please when asking for the legality comments to be dropped.
Changing IMEI Nos.
Lets forget about who is being nice and not nice and get to the subject matter at hand: changing IMEI numbers. I am interested in changing the IMEI number of my Nexus One.
I understand that changing the IMEI number is not illegal in the US (where I reside) and many other countries. So, can anyone point me in the right direction?
Regards,
Delafield
The problem with posting information like that is that it IS illegal in alot of countries. Where is XDA hosted? Who owns and runs it and what country are they in?
In many countries posessing the tools to change and IMEI is also illegal. So if someone were to start posting information it might not be illegal for you readers in the US, but it sure would be to have the information here for anyone hosting/runing/administrationg the forum in a country that it is illegal.
Bottom line is, its not about you, its about the people who run this forum and the rules they have decided to operate it under. You might think its just anal posters shutting down IMEI questions, but in fact they're being helpful by efectivly saying 'its illegal in many countries so you wont find the answer here'. I'm sure if you search there's many threads about IMEI closed by mods.
Having said that, if you are looking for that kind of information you are probably better off asking one of the many 'unlockers'. They would know about the security used on the Nexus and if its at all possible - AND if not illegal for them to help you they might do.
An IMEI # is a hardware generated number, and it is hard-locked to your device. Cant be changed, and even if it could there are no assurances that you wont duplicate a number out there already.
Whoever claimed changing IMEI's in the US is not illegal is wrong.
You are changing the IMEI to trick your network provider to steal services. This is fraud AND theft. It is most DEFINITELY illegal!
mikesm1234 said:
An IMEI # is a hardware generated number, and it is hard-locked to your device. Cant be changed, and even if it could there are no assurances that you wont duplicate a number out there already.
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Actually on some phones its burned into OTP - but thats really rare these days. Its more often stored in a signed phone specific area (which also holds the simlock info) which isnt touched by any firmware updates. To change it you need to break that security or find some hole. As manufacturers make their phones harder and harder to unlock this secure area becomes harder and harder to change.
Most sim unlocks these days come from service centers, so although you can see _most_ phones out there can be simunlocked hardly any of those have had their secure area broken open.
Also the IMEI isnt used as a unique identifier for any network operations, so duplicating the numbers isnt a 'technical' problem.
But you can see from the above why even if it was legal its not easy and sometimes not even possible.
I need to change IMEI number for the following reason: I have an old phone that runs on a very good Sprint plan. However, when I bought a new phone (Nexus S) and wanted to replace my old phone, Sprint told me I need to change my plan too (with an 80% increase in monthly bill). So now that I have two phones in hand, I wanna copy my old phone's IMEI into the new phone and start using it as if I'm still using the old phone.
Please help!
Hello,
Quick question - can I use my good ATT imei if I buy a Tmobile bad imei phone? I see them going for a decent price and need to get rid of this locked bootloader!
Thanks for any info!
IMEI changing is illegal and a federal offense. You may not alter the phone identifiers.
Thread closed
Hey hows everyone? I bought a phone about 2 months ago, it was working fine last night. When i woked up it dndt had service I called t mobile from my mothers phone and they said that the phone has been blocked or blacklisted. I think if im not wrong there is a way to fix this. Anyone please?
Well if the phone had been blacklisted BY T-MOBILE I could only assume you can't get service on that phone assuming it's something they've done on their end... I may be wrong but if a carrier is blacklisting your device and thus you are no longer getting service it is something being done on their end to block your service.
Same thing happened to me. Bought a second hand Nexus 4, used it for 3 months, then it stops. It was on a delinquent T-Mobile plan. I called them up & they said all I could due was contact the original owner. Sorry for your luck. That is what I hate about t-mobile.
I'm pretty sure you can use the phone on AT&T, but this why it's important to check the imei with the carrier before buying a used phone. You bought a stolen phone, either stolen from T-Mobile or a person and all the carriers respond to that by blacklisting the device. There's nothing to be done though beyond appealing to the original owner, even if you offer to pay what the other person owes.
Unfortunately, checking the imei isn't enough. The Nexus I had had a clean imei. The original owner quit paying on the phone 3 months later. It is a problem with T-Mobiles device payment plan. All other carriers require a phone to be fully payed off before removing from your account, except T-Mobile.
If you are technically inclined you could "swap" an imei from another phone but this practice can be illegal in many many ways, there are legal ways to do it but you have to be careful. Otherwise the blacklist is now a collaboration between the major cell carriers in the US aka the big 4, so it is not likely your phone will work on any carrier in the states. Probably the best you can hope hope for is to flip it to someone at a discount who wants it as a wifi only device or to someone who can use it for parts, or you could lie like the other guy did and not tell someone its blacklisted, although this too is immoral and possibly illegal.
just go on ebay, there's a few people you can pay on there to remove the blacklist.
http://www.androidrooter.com/
he has mail in service as well as remote service.
i have used him in the past with great success.
he is located in northern new jersey
That sucks.
@dannygoround
Here we go....another victim to Tmo's overbearing retroactive IMEI blocking
I bought it used from a private seller, now 3 months later the IMEI is blocked.
What can I do about it? No holds barred here. How do I get my phone working again? If it's against XDA rules to openly discuss it, don't...please discreetly point me in the right direction or drop a PM. I'm down for anything....ANYTHING!!!
So please give me a little help...I've done some searching and what I keep seeing is 'maybe...depending on the device'....is N6 one of them it's possible?
Also, just so it's said...I have another Nexus with physical damage, but a valid 100% legit donor IMEI of which I am the original owner, so this isn't an attempt to hijack one from someone....just wanted to make that perfectly clear.
hp420 said:
Here we go....another victim to Tmo's overbearing retroactive IMEI blocking
I bought it used from a private seller, now 3 months later the IMEI is blocked.
What can I do about it? No holds barred here. How do I get my phone working again? If it's against XDA rules to openly discuss it, don't...please discreetly point me in the right direction or drop a PM. I'm down for anything....ANYTHING!!!
So please give me a little help...I've done some searching and what I keep seeing is 'maybe...depending on the device'....is N6 one of them it's possible?
Also, just so it's said...I have another Nexus with physical damage, but a valid 100% legit donor IMEI of which I am the original owner, so this isn't an attempt to hijack one from someone....just wanted to make that perfectly clear.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sounds like the seller sold you a stolen phone, or one not paid off. there's nothing you can do about it, and talking about changing your imei isn't allowed on XDA.
hp420 said:
Here we go....another victim to Tmo's overbearing retroactive IMEI blocking
I bought it used from a private seller, now 3 months later the IMEI is blocked.
What can I do about it? No holds barred here. How do I get my phone working again? If it's against XDA rules to openly discuss it, don't...please discreetly point me in the right direction or drop a PM. I'm down for anything....ANYTHING!!!
So please give me a little help...I've done some searching and what I keep seeing is 'maybe...depending on the device'....is N6 one of them it's possible?
Also, just so it's said...I have another Nexus with physical damage, but a valid 100% legit donor IMEI of which I am the original owner, so this isn't an attempt to hijack one from someone....just wanted to make that perfectly clear.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you contact t-Mobile to ask why the imei is blocked? Contact the seller for a refund and/or file a police report if he is not willing to do that.
Thanks guys. I did call tmo...we had a lengthy conversation, I was passed to 3 supervisors, escalated ro tier 2, and they still refused to do anything. The customer cancelled service and has an outstanding balance for the device, so Unless I pay for it ($900 they said...I got a great laugh out of that one) they won't do anything for me.
I'm aware IMEI talk usn't allowed in public, which is why I have asked people to keep that discussion OUT of this thread please...don't get this thread closed on me please, people...if you have sonething to say, please PM me.
The thing that's so messed up is I did pay for it already...it's far from my fault if that money never got to the original seller in one way or another, and now they want me to pay for it again just to use it!!! How is this literally not extortion??? Can't I file a police report against Tmo for this? They activated a brand new prepaid sim using the IMEI from the same Nexus 6 just 2 months ago, which, in my eyes, is a guarantee from Tmo that the IMEI is good, no?? I sort of feel like Tmo should be responsible for this since they let me activate it after checking the number.
hp420 said:
Thanks guys. I did call tmo...we had a lengthy conversation, I was passed to 3 supervisors, escalated ro tier 2, and they still refused to do anything. The customer cancelled service and has an outstanding balance for the device, so Unless I pay for it ($900 they said...I got a great laugh out of that one) they won't do anything for me.
I'm aware IMEI talk usn't allowed in public, which is why I have asked people to keep that discussion OUT of this thread please...don't get this thread closed on me please, people...if you have sonething to say, please PM me.
The thing that's so messed up is I did pay for it already...it's far from my fault if that money never got to the original seller in one way or another, and now they want me to pay for it again just to use it!!! How is this literally not extortion??? Can't I file a police report against Tmo for this? They activated a brand new prepaid sim using the IMEI from the same Nexus 6 just 2 months ago, which, in my eyes, is a guarantee from Tmo that the IMEI is good, no?? I sort of feel like Tmo should be responsible for this since they let me activate it after checking the number.
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It all depends on when he canceled the contract. This is why I never buy used devices unless I know the person. T-mobile and many carriers are doing this because of things just like this. Its not their fault. It is the person that sold you the device. You could file a police report against that person for selling stolen property.
As @zelendel said, it depends on when he canceled the contract. I agree it's not your fault that the money didn't get to the original seller, but what T-Mobile does isn't extortion because they still own the phone as long as there are payments left on it. It sucks, and I can only imagine the spot you're in. But T-Mobile, as the original owner of the device, is within their rights to block the IMEI.
Keep in mind that T-Mobile blocking the IMEI on their network is different from blacklisting the IMEI. In the case of the former, it only applies to the T-Mobile network and covers non-payment of the monthly charge for the equipment. The latter applies to all carriers and covers if the device is lost or stolen.
In short, if the device is blocked, you can try it on AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, or any of their MVNOs. If it's blacklisted, the device likely won't work at all on any carrier. There are of course no guarantees that using another carrier will work, but as this apparently isn't a lost or stolen phone the chances of being able to use the device are high.
Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
As @zelendel said, it depends on when he canceled the contract. I agree it's not your fault that the money didn't get to the original seller, but what T-Mobile does isn't extortion because they still own the phone as long as there are payments left on it. It sucks, and I can only imagine the spot you're in. But T-Mobile, as the original owner of the device, is within their rights to block the IMEI.
Keep in mind that T-Mobile blocking the IMEI on their network is different from blacklisting the IMEI. In the case of the former, it only applies to the T-Mobile network and covers non-payment of the monthly charge for the equipment. The latter applies to all carriers and covers if the device is lost or stolen.
In short, if the device is blocked, you can try it on AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, or any of their MVNOs. If it's blacklisted, the device likely won't work at all on any carrier. There are of course no guarantees that using another carrier will work, but as this apparently isn't a lost or stolen phone the chances of being able to use the device are high.
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How about a Tmo mvno? Is metro going to block me, as well?
hp420 said:
How about a Tmo mvno? Is metro going to block me, as well?
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Click to collapse
Yes because it still uses their network.
hp420 said:
How about a Tmo mvno? Is metro going to block me, as well?
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Use the xposed route I PM u about
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app
If your other nexus' board still works, why not swap boards? Not ideal, but at least you would have at least one working phone.
Port to cricket
mike102871 said:
Port to cricket
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They're AT&T...no thanks
chapelfreak said:
If your other nexus' board still works, why not swap boards? Not ideal, but at least you would have at least one working phone.
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Click to collapse
Busted motherboard. I appreciate the input, though.
hp420 said:
Busted motherboard. I appreciate the input, though.
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Click to collapse
https://swappa.com/boneyard/post/KV6XQ9
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app
Port to cricket is your easiest and quickest fix. Nothing wrong with the service. Been using it for a year.
I've been using Straight Talk for several years now. No problems with them, and they are a MVNO that has agreements for all the US networks.
Since T-Mobile isn't available, you don't like AT&T, and Sprint is terrible, your only real option is Verizon.
mike102871 said:
Port to cricket is your easiest and quickest fix. Nothing wrong with the service. Been using it for a year.
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I know they aren't, but they screwed me on data several years ago. I promised they would never see another dime from me, and I'm a man of my word lol
Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
I've been using Straight Talk for several years now. No problems with them, and they are a MVNO that has agreements for all the US networks.
Since T-Mobile isn't available, you don't like AT&T, and Sprint is terrible, your only real option is Verizon.
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Click to collapse
Sprint is actually kinda ok where I live. I had them back in the WiMax days and I was always confused what all the complaining was about...I guess I was just lucky, but my Nexus S got some awesome "4g" (TOTALLY unlimited too)
31ken31 said:
https://swappa.com/boneyard/post/KV6XQ9
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app
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Click to collapse
It's been a thought, but if I need to farm the IMEI from that device I can't sell it. Thanks though!
31ken31 said:
Use the xposed route I PM u about
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app
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Click to collapse
Thank you!! I'm not ignoring you, bud I'm running N preview and I haven't had time to flash a 6.0 rom to test this. It's on my to-do list, though. If that actually works I'd be pretty happy with it at least as a temporary fix...just too bad it's totally dependant on xposed, you know? That could put a real damper on updating it, which is like 90% of what makes Nexus devices so awesome. Thanks for the idea, though!
@hp420,
If you bought on Swappa or eBay and paid with PayPal... PayPal's buyer protection is good for 180 days after purchase. File a claim against the seller on PayPal. Device "Significantly not as Described". You will get your money back, for sure....
cam30era said:
@hp420,
If you bought on Swappa or eBay and paid with PayPal... PayPal's buyer protection is good for 180 days after purchase. File a claim against the seller on PayPal. Device "Significantly not as Described". You will get your money back, for sure....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wish Private sale, and I thought I could trust the guy. Lesson learned.
hp420 said:
Thanks guys. I did call tmo...we had a lengthy conversation, I was passed to 3 supervisors, escalated ro tier 2, and they still refused to do anything. The customer cancelled service and has an outstanding balance for the device, so Unless I pay for it ($900 they said...I got a great laugh out of that one) they won't do anything for me.
I'm aware IMEI talk usn't allowed in public, which is why I have asked people to keep that discussion OUT of this thread please...don't get this thread closed on me please, people...if you have sonething to say, please PM me.
The thing that's so messed up is I did pay for it already...it's far from my fault if that money never got to the original seller in one way or another, and now they want me to pay for it again just to use it!!! How is this literally not extortion??? Can't I file a police report against Tmo for this? They activated a brand new prepaid sim using the IMEI from the same Nexus 6 just 2 months ago, which, in my eyes, is a guarantee from Tmo that the IMEI is good, no?? I sort of feel like Tmo should be responsible for this since they let me activate it after checking the number.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree that the private phone sales situation is in a pretty sad state. In fact, I would go so far as to say that it is fraudulent on the part of the service providers. They should either provide an easily accessible lookup database (this would have to be a joint database among *all* service providers) to validate that a device is unencumbered, or forgive the "new" owner if the original skipped town.
Normally I would say that a problem with a product should be handled between buyer and seller, but in this case, that doesn't secure the buyer at all.
The service provider just wants to sell you a new phone.
Hey, just bought a Tmobile tab s2 9.7 T817T off of craigslist today for $200.... good deal I think even for a wifi model.. BUT.. it's blocked/blackslisted, Tmobile says large balance owed and the guy I bought it from won't call me back.(go figure)_ So.. I'm fine with using with wifi but I've read about rooting and changing the IMEI .. Anyone have experience with this? I've got 2 Tmobile one unlimited numbers.. and they are now offering a 3rd unlimited LTE for free and this would be perfect for the tab s2.
tri0xinn said:
Hey, just bought a Tmobile tab s2 9.7 T817T off of craigslist today for $200.... good deal I think even for a wifi model.. BUT.. it's blocked/blackslisted, Tmobile says large balance owed and the guy I bought it from won't call me back.(go figure)_ So.. I'm fine with using with wifi but I've read about rooting and changing the IMEI .. Anyone have experience with this? I've got 2 Tmobile one unlimited numbers.. and they are now offering a 3rd unlimited LTE for free and this would be perfect for the tab s2.
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Click to collapse
I believe it is against XDA policy to discuss about changing IMEI and fix blacklisted devices (for obvious reasons, of course).
I hope you can find help somewhere else....
The bad news is that T-mobile is unlikely to restore that IMEI unless someone pays the tab. You might be able to press them on the fact that you are now the owner of the device, but they are unlikely to bend. However, the blacklisting likely only impacts its use on T-mobile since it is for non-payment, not theft, so you might be able to use a pay as you go SIM card on a different LTE network to get service on it.
Worth a shot, and if it still doesn't work, you can always sell the card or use it on a difference device.
As an aside, this is why you ALWAYS check the status of an IMEI before buying, though as you said, $200 for a WiFi only Tab 2 is still a great deal.
On a related item, how would one protect oneself in this situation? I often buy older phones from craigslist and ask the seller to meet me at an ATT store where the device can be examined and I get a chip from the vendor (we are after all inside the ATT Store).
Also, when I sell a phone, I meet the buyer at an ATT Store and ask them to check or bring their own chip so ensure all is clear
Would that have worked in this case?
xdafly said:
On a related item, how would one protect oneself in this situation? I often buy older phones from craigslist and ask the seller to meet me at an ATT store where the device can be examined and I get a chip from the vendor (we are after all inside the ATT Store).
Also, when I sell a phone, I meet the buyer at an ATT Store and ask them to check or bring their own chip so ensure all is clear
Would that have worked in this case?
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Click to collapse
The SIM card has nothing to do with it - the blacklist involves the device's IMEI. If you are in the store, you can ask the rep to check and see if the device is flagged or if the seller has an unpaid balance. However, T-Mobile has a nasty habit of not immediately blacklisting devices until months later, leaving a window during which the device will work and appear clean, even to service reps, but get kicked off later.
Doing deals at a carrier store is a good idea, though. Most carrier reps can tell you fairly quickly if a device is going to work on their network or not, and even lend you a SIM card to try it out.
There are sites that you can use to check imei including swappa :
https://swappa.com/esn?esn
How much help they really are I dunno.
xdafly said:
On a related item, how would one protect oneself in this situation? I often buy older phones from craigslist and ask the seller to meet me at an ATT store where the device can be examined and I get a chip from the vendor (we are after all inside the ATT Store).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
jhill110 said:
There are sites that you can use to check imei including swappa :
https://swappa.com/esn?esn
How much help they really are I dunno.
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Click to collapse
Swappa's IMEI check is not completely reliable, as it checks for blacklisted devices only. It cannot check if the device has unpaid balance. T-mobile's IMEI check actually includes the information if the device have unpaid balance. So, checking the device on t-mobile site makes it safe enough. I don't know if AT&T provides the same.
https://support.t-mobile.com/thread/72842?start=0&tstart=0
---------- Post added at 11:58 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:54 AM ----------
jshamlet said:
However, the blacklisting likely only impacts its use on T-mobile since it is for non-payment, not theft, so you might be able to use a pay as you go SIM card on a different LTE network to get service on it.
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I bought my tablet from Craigslist myself. I knew it had unpaid balance, when I checked. But I didn't care since I only wanted to use on WiFi, with some cosmetic defects paid only 150$. It has been working without issue as a WiFi only tablet. I didn't even insert any sim card, for fear that t-mobile might block it !
To protect yourself is pretty simple. With the device in hand ( IMEI) at time of purchase, call customer services using your own phone and request that you are adding another device to your line, give them the IMEI number and have the device setup on your line. Now if something goes wrong in two weeks time, its too late for the them to blacklist it now since you have already added this device to your line via correct channels. Basically from the moment the phone or devices' imei is put in your name then it cannot be reversed or blacklisted afterwards. I use this method all the time and dont need to meet seller in store etc.