Changing our IMEI numbers.

[Abra]

Firstly, although I'm not with Verizon I stand with you. Secondly, don't get flustered guys. Verizon just fired a heavy shot across your boughs which we're not prepared for, so it's understandable that some of us are flustered.

Let's get beyond that and start finding solutions. Some of us have already done some of the heavy lifting; we know their method of attack is to focus on our IMEI numbers. It sounds like it's something which we cannot fight, but I assure you it is.

Every day, criminals steal phones which are rendered useless through IMEI blocks. But that doesn't stop them. They learned how to change IMEI a long time ago. It's actually a thriving black market which allows even the most technologically inept to profit from their theft, even if they know nothing about coding, phones, etc.

Here are a few options which I found off hand. Please note I've not confirmed their legitimacy yet. I just need you all to know that our IMEI are not the problems they may seem to be:

1. https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... hamelephon

This app requires that the note 7 be rooted.

2. http://crazytechtricks.com/change-imei- ... t-rooting/

Here are some options which can work for both rooted and unrooted phones.

There are even services out there which will change your IMEI remotely. Don't get shaken guys. These are little computers. We're never absolutely helpless when we are dealing with computers.

That's really the message I want to get across. Even if the above are not suitable, don't give up.

[Global1]

Thanks for your encouragement Abra.
I'll check out the two URLs to see how they fit into the Australian landscape where IMEI changes are considered to be illegal without due cause.

[Abra]

I believe it's illegal over here in the state side as well. I understand that's a line some people will not want to cross. Hm, I'll look into the legality.

[Global1]

You might want to PM me to keep any ideas away from "prying-eyes" until we have a counter-measure proof approach that is easy for users to implement in place.
PM sessions can take time as there is no obvious way to flush messages from the outbox-buffer into the sent -mail stream, however the privacy from "prying-eyes" is worth the delay.

[capoceo]

just a heads up those two apps are for mediatek devices only be careful not to use it on samsung devices.

[Global1]

Thanks for your update and warning capoceo

[liljf113]

I am a Verizon customer am I able to switch my IMEI number or is it too late?

[Global1]

I don't know if it legal to update your IMEI in the USA...
What I have learned this afternoon, after hours of research over the weekend including actual testing on my Telco's network using a range of devices and service-connection-numbers and much searching with Telco CSRs is that in Australia, the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) took it upon themselves on or around 15DEC2016 to register Note 7 IMEIs as being 'lost or stolen' with the Australian Telcos, who then placed IMEI-blocks upon those handsets. This action by AMTA did not take into account the usage of the Note 7 or if it was actually the subject of a dispute.

This is may be the approach used in Canada and New Zealand; and yesterday a Verizon user reported Verizon as claiming it was the FCC behind Verizon's IMEI-blocking...

[kevran]

It is legal as long as you switch the IMEI number to a phone that you own( an old phone or another Samsung device). If you switch the IMEI to let's say another phone that belongs to someone else you are digitally impersonating someone else which is ILLEGAL.

[Global1]

Kevran, can you point me to the legislation that my lawyer can use to defend me?

[juliesdroidsync]

8775 Kevran, can you point me to the legislation that my lawyer can use to defend me?

^^^^this... Gray area at best, although that is the spirit of the law, maaaaaaaaaaaybe not quite sure it would fall under the letter...

[wolfpackhud]

Hey kevran, so if we do find a way to actually change the IMEI on the 7s, if I use say the IMEI of my Note 5 that I owned (and still do), then I should be okay legally and it should theoretically work on the network? Hoping something pops up in the next couple of days before the data and calls disappear on mine like it has been others. At least the SIM switch to the Note 5 is easy.

[brijamgel]

Has anyone had success in changing the IMEI number? If so, I would love a PM! Thanks!

[juliesdroidsync]

8854 Hey kevran, so if we do find a way to actually change the IMEI on the 7s, if I use say the IMEI of my Note 5 that I owned (and still do), then I should be okay legally and it should theoretically work on the network? <snip>

...only take legal advice from lawyers... I can hear the deposition now, "But Your Honor! This guy on the Internet told me it was OK!" You see the point... we all take risks doing what we're doing, but we need to carefully weigh them knowing it will be our own a***s that go down if we're wrong.

[Todossobran]

Does this affects Sprint users?