02 Are holding my new phone hostage! HELP!!

Whyteoktober

This sh** is so unfair! I bought a phone off a guy at work who bought it off someone else (dead end, basically). As of writing it is only unlockable by the 02, no jailbreak/software method works (04.12.02) so I have no option but to go through 02.

Called them today and it seems that whoever originally owned the phone did "something" that they cant discuss with me (data protection act) and they are unwilling to unlock my phone. The lady confirmed that it wasnt stolen. Even if I were to switch to 02 & put €150 as they request I still wouldnt be able to unlock it because somebody, somewhere did something to an account that isnt mine and as a result I have a €200 brick. Im with "3" because they have an all you can eat data plan for €20p/m & 02 cant match that.

Any ideas please?

smash

Phone is probably stolen. Can't see another reason.

Whyteoktober

02 confirmed that the phone wasnt stole.

smash

They could be just saying that to you. Go and ask in the O2 forum. http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=1479

MarkR

I'm guessing it's not really yours, according to O2.

smash

MarkR wrote: »

I'm guessing it's not really yours, according to O2.

Insurance scam, or someone signed up and never paid a bill.

Nonoperational

On Three anyway only the original owner can unlock the phone. Probably the same story here.

ScouseMouse

It could be stolen laser or credit cards were used to buy credit for it.

If it was unregistered they would block it.

Whyteoktober

It is mine. I paid for it. I have it here in my hand. Can we just assume that Im not lying because its not beyond the realms of possibility that I bought a phone and its locked & someone didnt pay the bil.

T17cH

O2 will only unlock the phone for the original owner of the phone no matter what you say they wont unlock it for you. Can you get in contact with the original owner and ask them to contact o2 for you? If the phone was stolen o2 would have to report you to the guards for having stolen property. The only thing's the other person could have done is not finish their contract or have reported it lost and claim off insurance (which again o2 would have to report you having a stolen phone).

smash

Whyteoktober wrote: »

It is mine. I paid for it.

See this: "I bought a phone off a guy at work who bought it off someone else"

That doesn't really mean it's yours! There's obviously a back story here.

Whyteoktober

Well they didnt report me! They confirmed that it wasnt stolen or used in a bank robbery.

Whyteoktober

I spoke to 02 they would have reported me if the phone was stolen, wouldnt they?

T17cH

well you bought a locked phone off who ever sold it to you o2 have nothing to do with it they have no obligation to unlock it for you. You should have checked what you bought before handing over the cash.

smash

Are you trolling?

Go and ask in the O2 forum!

Whyteoktober

Thank you for pointing that out. I am aware I am an idiot, ok? Pointing that out doesnt contribute to this thread.

Whyteoktober

smash wrote: »

Are you trolling?

Go and ask in the O2 forum!

You need an 02 number to post in the 02 forum, we have established that I am not an 02 customer. Look people, im not an international jewel thief, or a baby puncher or a puppy kicker, I just want my phone unlocked. Im asking for some help. If you think I stole it then report me.

T17cH

My point was you're saying O2 are holding your phone hostage which isnt the case. Im not defending o2 iv had my problems with them in the past but i dont see the point in blaming them. Theres a fone shop in waterford that say they will unlock any iphone (im not sure if its just a jailbreak though) im sure theres ones in most citys try them, Your no going to get a satisfactory answer here.

MiCr0

just out of curiosity, what do you think the background for your handset is? Do you think its 100% legit?

Also, what are you expecting people here to do? o2 have been very clear to you with what they are willing to do and as you said there's no software solution to this.

Whyteoktober

smash wrote: »

Are you trolling?

Go and ask in the O2 forum!

T17cH wrote: »

My point was you're saying O2 are holding your phone hostage which isnt the case. Im not defending o2 iv had my problems with them in the past but i dont see the point in blaming them. Theres a fone shop in waterford that say they will unlock any iphone (im not sure if its just a jailbreak though) im sure theres ones in most citys try them, Your no going to get a satisfactory answer here.

Thats been done, the baseband 04.12.01 cannot be unlocked by anyone but apple through 02.

Whyteoktober

MiCr0 wrote: »

just out of curiosity, what do you think the background for your handset is? Do you think its 100% legit?

Also, what are you expecting people here to do? o2 have been very clear to you with what they are willing to do and as you said there's no software solution to this.

It probably belonged to someone who hasnt paid the bill. Im expecting ideas, options, advice.

griffdaddy

Put the phone up for sale as locked to o2, take the money and buy a sim-free phone or one that's locked to 3. You might have to shell out an extra €20-40 depending on how much you get for it or depending on condition, demand whatever you might even make a couple of euro.

Nonoperational

Seems people are confusing simlock and IMEI barred?

Not much you can do if you can't find the original owner except switch to O2.

Whyteoktober

griffdaddy wrote: »

Put the phone up for sale as locked to o2, take the money and buy a sim-free phone or one that's locked to 3. You might have to shell out an extra €20-40 depending on how much you get for it or depending on condition, demand whatever you might even make a couple of euro.

I might have to do that, thanks.

testicle

Probably "lost" and claimed on the insurance.

the_syco

Whyteoktober wrote: »

You need an 02 number to post in the 02 forum, we have established that I am not an 02 customer.

Goto the one on boards.ie; http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=1479 and ask there. Someone may have had a similar problem, and know of a fix.

Have you tried downgrading the baseband it to unlock it?

Whyteoktober

the_syco wrote: »

Goto the one on boards.ie; http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=1479 and ask there. Someone may have had a similar problem, and know of a fix.

Have you tried downgrading the baseband it to unlock it?

Thanks, & yeah I have tried downgrading. There are currently no software or hardware hacks to bypass or unlock 04.12.01 Baseband.

O2_Daryll

I am over at the O2 forums waiting for your message. PM me the details when you get a chance and I will tell you what I can.

Whyteoktober

O2_Daryll wrote: »

I am over at the O2 forums waiting for your message. PM me the details when you get a chance and I will tell you what I can.

PM sent.

Whyteoktober

smash wrote: »

Phone is probably stolen. Can't see another reason.

If the phone was stolen, it would be blacklisted by Apple.

aidan_walsh

Whyteoktober wrote: »

If the phone was stolen, it would be blacklisted by Apple.

No, it wouldn't. Apple don't do anything about stolen phones, thats entirely the network's responsibility.

Whyteoktober

aidan_walsh wrote: »

No, it wouldn't. Apple don't do anything about stolen phones, thats entirely the network's responsibility.

Youre probably right, Im just quoting what 02 have told me, Ive been speaking with them in person & online since about 3pm this afternoon.
What I mean to say is according to the 02 representative, Apple are actively refusing to comply with an unlock request for a reason other than a stolen phone or one involved in some sort of illegal activity. She went on to say that it was a combination of 02 & Apple but she couldn't tell me anything further.
The chap in the 02 store told me something similar, that its not "flagged" or "blocked"

whiterebel

Whyteoktober wrote: »

Youre probably right, Im just quoting what 02 have told me, Ive been speaking with them in person & online since about 3pm this afternoon.
What I mean to say is according to the 02 representative, Apple are actively refusing to comply with an unlock request for a reason other than a stolen phone or one involved in some sort of illegal activity. She went on to say that it was a combination of 02 & Apple but she couldn't tell me anything further.
The chap in the 02 store told me something similar, that its not "flagged" or "blocked"

The carrier requests an unlock from Apple, nobody else.

Whyteoktober

whiterebel wrote: »

The carrier requests an unlock from Apple, nobody else.

I know. Thats why Im talking to them.

Agent_99

Whyteoktober wrote: »

Youre probably right, Im just quoting what 02 have told me, Ive been speaking with them in person & online since about 3pm this afternoon.
What I mean to say is according to the 02 representative, Apple are actively refusing to comply with an unlock request for a reason other than a stolen phone or one involved in some sort of illegal activity. She went on to say that it was a combination of 02 & Apple but she couldn't tell me anything further.
The chap in the 02 store told me something similar, that its not "flagged" or "blocked"

When I spoke to Applecare recently about my own iPhone and that it required replacing as it could not be fixed, they used to send out a replacement automatically with a UPS tracking bag and you had 5 days to return the damaged phone problem was that people where not returning the broken phone and now if you want an automatic replacement they will take your credit card number and take the value of the handset and as soon as the broken phone is returned and logged in to their system they refund the money, maybe this is one of the phones that was supposed to be returned or the replacement one that was sent and that's why apple are refusing to unlock it.

CathalDublin

IMO You've 4 options if you don't want to change network

1.sell it as locked to o2 and buy an unlocked one or one locked to 3.
2.use a gevey ultra sim or similar (Not the most reliable method)
3.pay a third party company like cutyoursim.com to request the unlock from apple (Cost:$69.99)
4.give it back to the seller for a refund

guil

Agent_99 wrote: »

When I spoke to Applecare recently about my own iPhone and that it required replacing as it could not be fixed, they used to send out a replacement automatically with a UPS tracking bag and you had 5 days to return the damaged phone problem was that people where not returning the broken phone and now if you want an automatic replacement they will take your credit card number and take the value of the handset and as soon as the broken phone is returned and logged in to their system they refund the money, maybe this is one of the phones that was supposed to be returned or the replacement one that was sent and that's why apple are refusing to unlock it.

it's being that way a while. In 2010 I was gonna send back a 3GS. I had 2 options, wait on a box and ups bag and send it bag and wait for the replacement or else give a cc number that they could put a hold of €500 on and give a replacment staright away. The hold was removed when they got your phone back

Whyteoktober

CathalDublin wrote: »

IMO You've 4 options if you don't want to change network

1.sell it as locked to o2 and buy an unlocked one or one locked to 3.
2.use a gevey ultra sim or similar (Not the most reliable method)
3.pay a third party company like cutyoursim.com to request the unlock from apple (Cost:$69.99)
4.give it back to the seller for a refund

Ive looked into option 1 and am keeping my eye on the second hand market but I would prefer to keep the phone I bought. Besides It would cost me another €95 to trade in, I dont have that.
Gevey sim no longer works, it was using a workaround called SAM unlock that has been closed by Apple.
Im not sure how these third party companies work but Id rather not hand over my phone to some dodgy shop, I was told not to share my IEMI number (not that its much use to me).
Giving it back to the seller isnt an option, Im pretty sure he was glad to get rid of it.

CathalDublin

Whyteoktober wrote: »

Ive looked into option 1 and am keeping my eye on the second hand market but I would prefer to keep the phone I bought. Besides It would cost me another €95 to trade in, I dont have that.

I don't get €95?
I often see iphone 4's locked to 3 for €200-€280, you'll easily get the same for yours once it works fine on o2, will cost you nothing.

Whyteoktober wrote: »

Im not sure how these third party companies work but Id rather not hand over my phone to some dodgy shop, I was told not to share my IEMI number (not that its much use to me).

Cutyoursim.com is a well known reputable company and is not dodgy in anyway, its 100% safe and has been around a while now

dodzy

guil wrote: »

it's being that way a while. In 2010 I was gonna send back a 3GS. I had 2 options, wait on a box and ups bag and send it bag and wait for the replacement or else give a cc number that they could put a hold of €500 on and give a replacment staright away. The hold was removed when they got your phone back

40 posts and still going, jeez:rolleyes:

Sell the thing (on adverts) as Cathal suggested. Buy unlocked or 3 locked replacement. Job done.

guil

dodzy wrote: »

guil wrote: »

it's being that way a while. In 2010 I was gonna send back a 3GS. I had 2 options, wait on a box and ups bag and send it bag and wait for the replacement or else give a cc number that they could put a hold of €500 on and give a replacment staright away. The hold was removed when they got your phone back

40 posts and still going, jeez:rolleyes:

Sell the thing (on adverts) as Cathal suggested. Buy unlocked or 3 locked replacement. Job done.

Why did you quote my post?

120_Minutes

Whyteoktober wrote: »

Giving it back to the seller isnt an option, Im pretty sure he was glad to get rid of it.

And here ladies and gentlemen, is the most important piece of info in the whole thread.

why do you reckon he's glad to get rid of it, if thats the impression you got from him, did you ask?

Whyteoktober

120_Minutes wrote: »

And here ladies and gentlemen, is the most important piece of info in the whole thread.

why do you reckon he's glad to get rid of it, if thats the impression you got from him, did you ask?

Yes, I specifically asked if the phone was stolen or if it had been used for anything illegal. He said no. If it was stolen, I would happily return it to its owner. but both the seller & 02 have confirmed that it is not stolen.

Here is the kicker; The 02 moderator Daryll told me yesterday that the phone was used for "Fraud". He has yet to reply to a message I sent yesterday. Of course, he cannot tell me anything more.
Before you go off on the "You should have.., nobody to blame but yourself etc" post, consider this;

I am an innocent party who bought a phone, not a contract or a call history. I am not the person that did "something illegal" with a phone, I can prove that. Granted, I got ****ed over & Im paying for someone elses crime. Are 02 obliged to take legal action? If I sell the phone, am I liable? Should I contact the Gardai? Should I give 02 the address of the workplace where the guy I bought this from works? Should I seek legal advice?

Whyteoktober

guil wrote: »

Why did you quote my post?

Because im an idiot?

120_Minutes

Whyteoktober wrote: »

the phone was used for "Fraud"

which could mean the original owner signed up on the contract, renaged on it, and sold on the phone for a profit. o2 are out of pocket for the revenue and have locked down the phone.

i'm gonna guess here, but until the guy makes good on his contract that phone is gonna stay locked.

RangeR

And, depending on the type of Fraud, the phone still probably belongs to O2.

Whyteoktober

120_Minutes wrote: »

which could mean the original owner signed up on the contract, renaged on it, and sold on the phone for a profit. o2 are out of pocket for the revenue and have locked down the phone.

i'm gonna guess here, but until the guy makes good on his contract that phone is gonna stay locked.

I guessed that, so why would 02 tell me that Apple are refusing to unlock the phone? Is not paying your bill "Fraud"? I understand that 02 are out of pocket but thats not my fault now is it? I didnt screw them over, I would happily switch over to 02 if they could give me a good deal. I asked if there was a way i could pay off this guys bill to unlock the phone & they refused. I have always been polite & courteous with all 02 reps.
It boils down to this; I come to them with a problem that only they can solve, they refuse because someone i dont know owes them money. So now I am out of pocket and they are out of pocket. Is this good business practise?

Whyteoktober

RangeR wrote: »

And, depending on the type of Fraud, the phone still probably belongs to O2.

They havent asked for it back. If it did, I would give it to them.

120_Minutes

Whyteoktober wrote: »

It boils down to this; I come to them with a problem that only they can solve, they refuse because someone i dont know owes them money. So now I am out of pocket and they are out of pocket. Is this good business practise?

technically in their eyes, it is not your phone.

the contract is between him and o2, and this case (i'm guessing) the ownership of the phone reverts back to o2 for non payment of bills. but i dont know the t&c's so dont quote me as gospel.

Whyteoktober

120_Minutes wrote: »

technically in their eyes, it is not your phone.

the contract is between him and o2, and this case (i'm guessing) the ownership of the phone reverts back to o2 for non payment of bills. but i dont know the t&c's so dont quote me as gospel.

Note to self: Dont quote 120_Minutes as gospel

Done.

the_syco

Whyteoktober wrote: »

Thanks, & yeah I have tried downgrading. There are currently no software or hardware hacks to bypass or unlock 04.12.01 Baseband.

What baseband did you try downgrading to?