Buying A Used Phone? Verify It Through New CTIA Web Site

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May 11, 2017, 12:41 PM by Eric M. Zeman @zeman_e

Consumers, law enforcement, and resellers now have a new way to verify if used or refurbished phones are legit. CTIA, the U.S. wireless trade group, today launched StolenPhoneChecker.org, a free-to-use web site that lets people enter a phone's IMEI, MEID or ESN code to see if it has been reported stolen or lost. StolenPhoneChecker is built on a database of lost and stolen handsets maintained by the GSMA. Devices listed on the site will show up with a red indicator and a note that verifies wireless service may not be available to the device. This provides a clear view of the phone's status. "The new website is designed to provide peace of mind to consumers who are increasingly buying used or refurbished smartphones. It will also benefit law enforcement by allowing police departments to quickly verify the status of a recovered phone," said the CTIA. The CTIA, wireless carriers, and law enforcement have employed a number of methods over the last few years to curb phone theft. For example, most phones can be locked and/or wiped remotely. The CTIA claims phone theft has dropped in major metro areas significantly since the industry began using these tools in 2013.

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