IMEI Cancellation and 24/7 Sim Barring

Lhotukdeals on 07/12/2022 - 12:55
Last edited 07/12/2022 - 12:55

Recently my mobile was lost.

I attempted to first bar the sim card, however my service provider https://letsbemates.com.au only provide that service between 8:30am - 7.00pm (or thereabouts). There is no online provision for doing this.

After barring my sim 12hr after losing phone I then attempted to cancel my mobile itself via its imei code. My service provider refused to do this - the matter is now being handle by AMTA.

Not being able to bar sim for over 12hrs seems like a massive and shocking security oversight.

Which mobile service providers have 24/7 online sim card cancelling ?

Mobile

Comments

  • CyberMurning on 07/12/2022 - 12:59
    +3

    following.
    with all the scams hacks going around, gov should get all provider to treat lost phone as top priority just like credit card lost.

    • hotukdeals on 07/12/2022 - 13:00

      My thoughts exactly, I am in contact with AMTA. But is there a better place to send my case to. In the UK we have OFCOM, not sure what the Australian equivalent is.

      • CyberMurning on 07/12/2022 - 13:20

        probably other provider will have better system/help, yours is kind of very small never heard till now.
        if you want cheap you can follow the others slim sluting way, but every month with good providers

      • newjerseydamo on 07/12/2022 - 14:14

        If you continue to have issues, I would lodge a complaint via the Telecommunications Ombudsman.

    • apple2016 on 07/12/2022 - 15:14

      This is why you should have appropriate security enabled on your phone. Apple has fmip lock. Android might have something similar I guess.

      • hotukdeals on 09/12/2022 - 11:51

        this doesn't help for sim swap type attacks.

  • Seriously Cool Guy on 07/12/2022 - 14:55

    Serious side question, how do you prove that you owned that phone with that IMEI? I assume there must be the need for that IMEI to have been logged into by one of your sim cards on the telecommunications network.

    It would really be a bad situation if some adversary decided to block your legitimate phone from being used. For one, you are probably not allowed to randomly have IMEI blocked in other countries even if you had your phone stolen as there is no legitimate way to prove that you owned that phone previously. Merely having a photo of a box is not enough if it has not been registered onto a network, as someone could just photoshop it.

    • hotukdeals on 07/12/2022 - 16:08

      I don't know - but most other big providers offer the service.

    • dcep on 07/12/2022 - 16:35

      Such service only offered to telco issued handsets where you signed up with their 12 / 24 / 36 months plan with mobile phone

  • apple2016 on 07/12/2022 - 15:11

    Recently my mobile was lost.

    Usually a police complaint would be required for imei blocking etc. as far as sim locking, you get what you pay for. Some providers offer 24/7 support some don't. it was your decision to go with the provider of your choice!

    • hotukdeals on 07/12/2022 - 16:11

      Thats not true afaik. Other big providers do not require a police report, and my service provider doesn't block even with a police report.

      I understand it was my choice, I am aware humans have free will - its also not something I bothered to check.

      TBH yr comment seems somewhat negative, I am simply attempting to draw attention to this issue for others.

  • Doyen on 07/12/2022 - 15:15

    AMTA is a lobby group for the telcos. Not sure what help if any they will give. There are there to support company interests not customers. ACMA might be a better option to make the policy suggestion?

    • hotukdeals on 07/12/2022 - 16:11

      thanks, going with the ombudsman

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