I strongly believe AT&T is cracking down UNLIMITED DATA FOR NON SMARTPHONES trick. - Galaxy S III General

I strongly believe AT&T is cracking down UNLIMITED DATA FOR NON SMARTPHONES trick.
I believe this deserves its own thread. Here's my story.
Bought unlocked .GS3 from expansys USA.
Went to AT&T store as new customer and got GoPlan for $50 everything unlimited. This plan gives you the same data that people can choose for non smartphones $10 a month.
Everything was working fine until this morning. In the notification bar I see data is active. It switches alot from H to H+ and 3G. This was happening when data was working fine. Anyways, now even when it says in the notification bar that it's on and working I can't use internet or do anything that requires data connection. My device is not rooted. All I did was got the phone...got the at&t Go Plan cut the sim with scissors to microsim and it was working fine for few days. NOW HERE IS WHERE THINGS GET INTERESTING.
Called AT&T and spoke to several reps. Some of them obviously had no clue but the last rep made me kinda worried. She asked me for IMEI number. Before when I gave my .GS3 IMEI number they would tell me it comes up as an unknown device. This Chinese lady told me after I give her my .GS3 number it comes up as SAMSUNG GALAXY S3 ....WTF???? I thought ATT couldn't detect this when international phone is used ? Of course I denied and told her I was using old cheap Nokia which is not a smartphone. I don't know what she did but told me she would update it to make sure it's not a smartphone.
So how did they know I was using .gs3. Why is my data not working....what are my options here....

dieselfatal said:
I believe this deserves its own thread. Here's my story.
Bought unlocked .GS3 from expansys USA.
Went to AT&T store as new customer and got GoPlan for $50 everything unlimited. This plan gives you the same data that people can choose for non smartphones $10 a month.
Everything was working fine until this morning. In the notification bar I see data is active. It switches alot from H to H+ and 3G. This was happening when data was working fine. Anyways, now even when it says in the notification bar that it's on and working I can't use internet or do anything that requires data connection. My device is not rooted. All I did was got the phone...got the at&t Go Plan cut the sim with scissors to microsim and it was working fine for few days. NOW HERE IS WHERE THINGS GET INTERESTING.
Called AT&T and spoke to several reps. Some of them obviously had no clue but the last rep made me kinda worried. She asked me for IMEI number. Before when I gave my .GS3 IMEI number they would tell me it comes up as an unknown device. This Chinese lady told me after I give her my .GS3 number it comes up as SAMSUNG GALAXY S3 ....WTF???? I thought ATT couldn't detect this when international phone is used ? Of course I denied and told her I was using old cheap Nokia which is not a smartphone. I don't know what she did but told me she would update it to make sure it's not a smartphone.
So how did they know I was using .gs3. Why is my data not working....what are my options here....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope.
I think your mistake is doing a go phone plan. They're probably more suspicious with that as you are not really a valued customer but a month to month guy.
Everything is working fine for me on a 2 year contract.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app

SlimJ87D said:
Nope.
I think your mistake is doing a go phone plan. They're probably more suspicious with that as you are not really a valued customer but a month to month guy.
Everything is working fine for me on a 2 year contract.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope?

I can confirm that I had the exact same thing happen to me. Data worked fine until this morning. I can send and receive MMS, so the internet is definitely working. I called AT&T customer service and updated my number from my old, unlocked EVO 3D to my new GS3. They immediately recognized that it was a Galaxy S3. Data still didn't work. I had them change the IMEI in the system back to an unknown IMEI, but I'm still not getting any data services.

dieselfatal said:
I believe this deserves its own thread. Here's my story.
Bought unlocked .GS3 from expansys USA.
Went to AT&T store as new customer and got GoPlan for $50 everything unlimited. This plan gives you the same data that people can choose for non smartphones $10 a month.
Everything was working fine until this morning. In the notification bar I see data is active. It switches alot from H to H+ and 3G. This was happening when data was working fine. Anyways, now even when it says in the notification bar that it's on and working I can't use internet or do anything that requires data connection. My device is not rooted. All I did was got the phone...got the at&t Go Plan cut the sim with scissors to microsim and it was working fine for few days. NOW HERE IS WHERE THINGS GET INTERESTING.
Called AT&T and spoke to several reps. Some of them obviously had no clue but the last rep made me kinda worried. She asked me for IMEI number. Before when I gave my .GS3 IMEI number they would tell me it comes up as an unknown device. This Chinese lady told me after I give her my .GS3 number it comes up as SAMSUNG GALAXY S3 ....WTF???? I thought ATT couldn't detect this when international phone is used ? Of course I denied and told her I was using old cheap Nokia which is not a smartphone. I don't know what she did but told me she would update it to make sure it's not a smartphone.
So how did they know I was using .gs3. Why is my data not working....what are my options here....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you want to know how to use data meant for non smartphones on a smartphone?

Mine is still working fine on the $10 MediaNet plan. But then again, I never had to call them because I was still using this SIM in my International GS2 as well.
Best thing to do is find an old AT&T dumb phone and call in with that.

antispiral said:
So you want to know how to use data meant for non smartphones on a smartphone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dude stop being a troll.

i have an international i9300 and my wireless profile shows an unknown device still. *shrug*
same goes with an international i9100 on my other line
if you ever call 611..dont ever tell them what phone you have! just say "oh its some samsung"

Just don't do the go phone plan meant for go phones only. It probably comes up as a red flag when you change the SIM where is the normal plans you call in and ask them to change the IMEI and you tell them which phone it is.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app

SlimJ87D said:
Just don't do the go phone plan meant for go phones only. It probably comes up as a red flag when you change the SIM where is the normal plans you call in and ask them to change the IMEI and you tell them which phone it is.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda
With go plan you still have to provide IMEI number. I did give them ny .gs3 number. So how on earth did they know what phone it is...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

dieselfatal said:
SlimJ87D said:
Just don't do the go phone plan meant for go phones only. It probably comes up as a red flag when you change the SIM where is the normal plans you call in and ask them to change the IMEI and you tell them which phone it is.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda
With go plan you still have to provide IMEI number. I did give them ny .gs3 number. So how on earth did they know what phone it is...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hm, hopefully you didn't get a phone that was returned or something because another person got it flagged somehow.
There was another user here that was the "3rd" owner of his SGS3. And his phone was flagged in the system as a SGS3.
What region did your phone come from? And ask the other dude that got his flagged as a SGS3 under a go phone plan.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I bought mine from Eyonix, I'm not quite sure where it's from. It does have what looks like some Spanish literature in the box though, so that may be a clue.

i guess i dont have a clue

SlimJ87D said:
dieselfatal said:
Hm, hopefully you didn't get a phone that was returned or something because another person got it flagged somehow.
There was another user here that was the "3rd" owner of his SGS3. And his phone was flagged in the system as a SGS3.
What region did your phone come from? And ask the other dude that got his flagged as a SGS3 under a go phone plan.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got the phone from expansys usa brand new.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Baldilocks said:
Mine is still working fine on the $10 MediaNet plan. But then again, I never had to call them because I was still using this SIM in my International GS2 as well.
Best thing to do is find an old AT&T dumb phone and call in with that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can you elaborate on that? do you call in with any dumb phone with your SIM card in it, tell them to switch the data plan by giving them the # of the S3, and then switch the SIM?

A few wks ago, I got a text from AT&T stating that I went over my data limit & I checked my ATT account online to see whats up. It showed that I had a non-smartphone & 100mb data plan. I've been on a grandfathered unlimited plan forever & I had to call ATT to get my old plan back. It took over a hour to get things straighten out.

Honestly this didn't need to become a new thread, same stuff seems to be discussed in the benefits of att international I9300 thread.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app

Kutthoat5150 said:
can you elaborate on that? do you call in with any dumb phone with your SIM card in it, tell them to switch the data plan by giving them the # of the S3, and then switch the SIM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, once you call in they will see you are on an old dumb phone. Tell them you want the unlimited data plan for it. If they ask for an IMEI number, just give them the one from the phone you are calling in with.
After they set up the plan, take the SIM out and put it in your GS3. Good to go.
---------- Post added at 06:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:17 PM ----------
SlimJ87D said:
Honestly this didn't need to become a new thread, same stuff seems to be discussed in the benefits of att international I9300 thread.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree.

I've been on the $10 plan for almost 2 years. I had them change it at my local store. No problems. I got the AT&T One X, switched to a normal plan. Got my GS3, went back in and had them switch me back to the $10 plan. They knew, they laughed, all was well.
Go to a store. If they ask to see your phone, you don't have it with you, its a generic flip phone. Done.

update:
I seriously think AT&T is catching up on this trick. I spent one hour on the phone with a lady who knew what she was doing. She put my device under UNKNOWN made sure I had data for non smart phones and we did everything and no connection. The only time I was able to connect was when she applied data for a smartphone. She tested out $5 50mbps of data and as soon as she applied this it worked. Since I'm on a prepaid goblin I had to get 1.GB for $25 unless I sort this out....what should I do....buy old at&t phone...get a new sim card and use it then put it in .gs3? I think as soon as u put sim card in on a smartphone it will detect. I can't pay $75 a month and get 1.GB of data

Related

AT&T- Must have Laptop, Tablet, or Mifi Data plan...BS!

Got a Text message from AT&T today, saying a suitable data plan is required for Laptops, Tablets, and Mifi Devices. Call 611 now to avoid service interuption
WTF I have had a dell streak since August of 2010, never a problem then.
So I called and got someone who seemed to know very little in regards to smartphones in general. Told her I have multiple devices that I use at different times, which is true. She asked me if the current and newest device i am using is a samsung GT-N7000, i said its a samsung, and its new, but I have no clue what the model number is.
She asked what dataplan I had, I told her I have the same unlimited plan I have had for 4 years. She verified that and said it is a suitable plan and to ignore the message.
I have played games like this before. For some reason the issue comes back up and you say so and so you talked to a month ago said it was fine, they ask who you talked to, you say I don't remember the name, and they say sucks for you.
So I had her send me an email with her name, saying that everything is fine, and that I do indeed have a suitable data plan for my device.
Hopefully thats that, but be prepared to get a warning such as this.
Bryce
Don't blame AT&T for this. Blame all the ppl that are using a Note on a MediaNet plan. They are starting to crack down on it. Worst case scenario is you having to bring in your Note to an AT&T store & showing them its a legit phone.
I got the same message yesterday. Called AT&T and told them I've never used any of those devices. He asked for the IMEI and confirmed that I had a Samsung phone and told me he would remove the note from my record and update that I have a Samsung phone.
Gave me his extension and said if I got the message again to call him and he would take care of it.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using XDA App
brycestejskal said:
She asked me if the current and newest device i am using is a samsung GT-N7000, i said its a samsung, and its new, but I have no clue what the model number is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wait, she knew the model number of the Note but still wanted you to sign up for some tablet data plan? That's a very interesting tidbit...
I'm happy to hear a rep appears to be working with someone. It is a little troubling that we might have to lie about the model of our device (she asked if he had the GT-N7000, which is the Note's model.) I really hope my reaction in the other thread turns out to be an over reaction.
maxh said:
I'm happy to hear a rep appears to be working with someone. It is a little troubling that we might have to lie about the model of our device (she asked if he had the GT-N7000, which is the Note's model.) I really hope my reaction in the other thread turns out to be an over reaction.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm actually hoping the fact she knew the model number is a sign AT&T's gearing up to offer the Note themselves. Maybe it's in their system but not yet properly categorized or something.
<oops> delete me?
bigmout said:
I'm actually hoping the fact she knew the model number is a sign AT&T's gearing up to offer the Note themselves. Maybe it's in their system but not yet properly categorized or something.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah how in the heck did the rep know what model phone he had? I know they can see the IMEI number on their screens but I wonder if the systems ID'd it correctly or if the CSR searched for the IMEI through an online tool?
If you lose your plans I can recommend an alternative solution that may or may not save you money.
Port your phone # to Google Voice, that will save you $20 a month for unlimited text. The only trade off is right now Google Voice only does MMS from Sprint. This will allow you to keep your current #, and only need to pay AT&T for data and voice.
With Android you can make calls via Google Voice and it will operate like using the # through your carrier, no hoops to jump through or data connections required like VOIP. Everyone you call will still see your normal number.
Got another message this morning saying that my data plan has been restricted and that I need to call immediately. Glad I asked for that email from the CSR last night.
Also, I highly doubt the CSR looked it up. She did not seem to know the process of much of anything, and It was very hard not to just lash out and tell her the answeres to her own questions she was looking up in the system about data plans...but didnt want to seem overly knowledgeable...
Will post the results when I have a chance to call.
That's what I've been afraid of. If the system is doing this, do the reps actually have any power to override the system? So even if you do go into a store and they say ok it's a phone, can they actually make the system stop booting you?
bigmout said:
I'm actually hoping the fact she knew the model number is a sign AT&T's gearing up to offer the Note themselves. Maybe it's in their system but not yet properly categorized or something.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been wanting the Note to come to AT&T simply for the fact that the more people that get it, the more support it'll have here. However, I had a bad thought; what if they rip the voice and sms capabilites out of it and call it a tablet, like they did here? http://www.groubal.com/att-is-price-gouging-by-disabling-device-features-must-read/ That would be in line with the reports of people getting booted.
I am trying to do the opposite. I would like to get a data plan only for my note but I am afraid to use the Note's IMEI number because I think they will detect it as a phone and won't let me do data only.
maxh said:
I had a bad thought; what if they rip the voice and sms capabilites out of it and call it a tablet, like they did here? http://www.groubal.com/att-is-price-gouging-by-disabling-device-features-must-read/ That would be in line with the reports of people getting booted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's certainly a valid concern. Though I would think if that was the case, the reps wouldn't have been able to "fix" the issue for those that have had it fixed. Nothing to do but wait and see how this unfolds.
How much data do you use? I haven't gotten a message like that but then again I hardly use their data. I'm on wifi most of the day.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk
How many members so far have NOT received the text are on the grandfathered unlimited plan? (NOT medianet)
That was what they did to the Galaxy Tab, and people weren't able to use it as a phone. What they did over the Galaxy Tab forum was to backup and delete the efs folder. The tab then has a generic IMEI and works as a phone on AT&T network again. Wonder if we can do the same thing on the Note.
jojorios said:
How many members so far have NOT received the text are on the grandfathered unlimited plan? (NOT medianet)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
me
10characters
jojorios said:
How many members so far have NOT received the text are on the grandfathered unlimited plan? (NOT medianet)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the unlimited smartphone data program and have hot gotten a text yet. I haven't used wifi sharing yet. Maybe that is causing the system to flag people?
Im grandfathered as well and have not gotten any messages about data.
Sent from my Galaxy Note
I am on the grandfathered smart phone plan and have not gotten the text yet. I upgraded to 4g unlimited last week and had to give the imei of my note and they said nothing about the note being data only then. I have used quite a bit of data but no wifi sharing/tethering.

Text message from AT&T

So this is more of a carrier question more than a related to my s4 question but I did an upgrade and just popped my old sim which was only a month old in and I know everything is fine always have did this. Well I got this text today about 3 weeks after I got my s4 so I never used the included new sim. But I've did this in the last and never got a text like this it. Any idea?
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda premium
did you get it from att?
Sent from my SGH-I337M using xda premium
call 866-895-1099 its the automated activation line, it will activate the correct IMEI and SIM on your plan, activate any new features you selected(if applicable), add insurance to the device if you chose it at purchase. Otherwise everything is still incorrect based on your old phone. After the call your current sim will go dead, use the one that came with the phone.
- Dan
What kind of answer is that!!!??? I'm not stupid, its not like I switched from a dumb phone to a smart phone...... and what features? Why would I change anything if I'm on the unlimated data plan? I change phones almost every 6 months or so and even with upgrades never got this message.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda premium
hyelton said:
What kind of answer is that!!!??? I'm not stupid, its not like I switched from a dumb phone to a smart phone...... and what features? Why would I change anything if I'm on the unlimated data plan? I change phones almost every 6 months or so and even with upgrades never got this message.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well....he was just trying to help, and I thought it was a good answer...how are we supposed to know you have an unlimited plan? Or you didn't change anything...
Anyways...even if you did change something you wouldn't need to activate for the changes to occur...its pretty much so Att gets the imei and all that sorted out I believe...thy link the phone to your number on your account
Sent from my SGH-I997 using Tapatalk 2
That's bs too they get imei number the second the phone connects to there net work
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 2
hyelton said:
What kind of answer is that!!!??? I'm not stupid, its not like I switched from a dumb phone to a smart phone...... and what features? Why would I change anything if I'm on the unlimated data plan? I change phones almost every 6 months or so and even with upgrades never got this message.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please don't get hostile, but it is a really, really good idea to properly activate your new phone through AT&T and also to take the new SIM card. But instead of the automated system like I used, I might recommend calling through to an agent/CSR.
I had concerns about my unlimited plan as well, and noticed that if I were to activate, it would likely remove the unlimited H+ plan in favor of a 3gig LTE plan. I called a couple different times about this, and they said that everything would be alright, and they noted the account that they told me this. Shortly after activating it, I noticed that it did indeed make the switch on me, and that I suddenly had a 3GB data limit on this line. I called back, and they said that this was necessary to be able to pre-order the device, and it was not giving them the option to put it back. They put in a ticket and gave a "it will be fixed by this date" date. About a day and a half later, I got a text saying they corrected the issue. I checked online, and my account was back to normal.
I'm 90% sure that if I had called to activate my phone manually with an agent, they could have spared the unlimited plan from the get-go. I would recommend calling and talking to an agent, such that they can mark the order as complete/received and they can enter the new IMEI and ICCID numbers.
Further, there's a small, non-credible amount of evidence that suggests that the newer SIM cards and a proper activation will yield better network speeds. I don't see how, apart from some sort of throttling implemented by AT&T for "everyone else".
---------- Post added at 08:19 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:16 AM ----------
StolenVW said:
That's bs too they get imei number the second the phone connects to there net work
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While this is true, they don't automatically update their billing system and other records - or at least not right away. I work with about 110 AT&T lines at work, mixed between crackberries, "feature-phones" and iPhones. I've noticed that while a new phone will work, but the website will still show the old IMEI number until we manually update it.
Aou said:
Please don't get hostile, but it is a really, really good idea to properly activate your new phone through AT&T and also to take the new SIM card. But instead of the automated system like I used, I might recommend calling through to an agent/CSR.
I had concerns about my unlimited plan as well, and noticed that if I were to activate, it would likely remove the unlimited H+ plan in favor of a 3gig LTE plan. I called a couple different times about this, and they said that everything would be alright, and they noted the account that they told me this. Shortly after activating it, I noticed that it did indeed make the switch on me, and that I suddenly had a 3GB data limit on this line. I called back, and they said that this was necessary to be able to pre-order the device, and it was not giving them the option to put it back. They put in a ticket and gave a "it will be fixed by this date" date. About a day and a half later, I got a text saying they corrected the issue. I checked online, and my account was back to normal.
I'm 90% sure that if I had called to activate my phone manually with an agent, they could have spared the unlimited plan from the get-go. I would recommend calling and talking to an agent, such that they can mark the order as complete/received and they can enter the new IMEI and ICCID numbers.
Further, there's a small, non-credible amount of evidence that suggests that the newer SIM cards and a proper activation will yield better network speeds. I don't see how, apart from some sort of throttling implemented by AT&T for "everyone else".
---------- Post added at 08:19 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:16 AM ----------
While this is true, they don't automatically update their billing system and other records - or at least not right away. I work with about 110 AT&T lines at work, mixed between crackberries, "feature-phones" and iPhones. I've noticed that while a new phone will work, but the website will still show the old IMEI number until we manually update it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They most of changed there system mine used to show the phone I was using with in a week...and I know people that had a dumb phone and put there sim in a smart phone and auto started getting charged for data
Sent from my A500 using Tapatalk HD
They sure are a bid off never had this happen before after all my upgrades but just got a text saying all my outgoing calls will he routed to customer service til I activate the new sim.... what the hell..
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda premium
hyelton said:
What kind of answer is that!!!??? I'm not stupid, its not like I switched from a dumb phone to a smart phone...... and what features? Why would I change anything if I'm on the unlimated data plan? I change phones almost every 6 months or so and even with upgrades never got this message.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You asked for help and you got it.
This is exactly what needs to get done.
There should have been a sheet of paper with instructions included stating to call that exact number above and follow the steps through the automated system. Most people completely ignore it out of the excitement of getting a new phone. I don't blame you.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda premium
I did it last night and it activated the new sim. My phone just got deactivated..... At 11:30 this morning tried to send a text and bam kept failing...
So is it hurting anything that Im had to agree to my contract again??

[Q] Verizon Galaxy Note 3 - BAD ESN with T-Mobile

I purchased a Verizon Galaxy Note 3 from a guy off Craiglist and checked the ESN, it was clean then and I proceeded to use with T-Mobile. Everything was working fine, HSPA and such. But now, after waking up, the phone has not signal, so I went online to check to see if anything happened to the ESN, and noticed it now has changed from Good to Bad. I've tried to contact the guy but no response.
I tried to remove the sim and inserted it in a different phone and everything was fine.
Is there anyway I can still use the Verizon Galaxy Note 3 with T-Mobile even though the ESN is bad?
I've tried to change the APN settings (epc.tmobile.com) and even (fast.t-mobile.com) on the device but nothing is working for me. It keeps showing No Service - Selected Network (T-Mobile) not available.
The device model is SM-N900V, Android 4.3.
Please help !
Waw I did not think that happened . he called the phone lost stolen after he sold it . sorry this happened to you . did you call up Verizon to explain the situation ?, they are the ones that issued the lock on the ESN They might be able to help . please keep is posted
ttav9216 said:
I purchased a Verizon Galaxy Note 3 from a guy off Craiglist and checked the ESN, it was clean then and I proceeded to use with T-Mobile. Everything was working fine, HSPA and such. But now, after waking up, the phone has not signal, so I went online to check to see if anything happened to the ESN, and noticed it now has changed from Good to Bad. I've tried to contact the guy but no response.
I tried to remove the sim and inserted it in a different phone and everything was fine.
Is there anyway I can still use the Verizon Galaxy Note 3 with T-Mobile even though the ESN is bad?
I've tried to change the APN settings (epc.tmobile.com) and even (fast.t-mobile.com) on the device but nothing is working for me. It keeps showing No Service - Selected Network (T-Mobile) not available.
The device model is SM-N900V, Android 4.3.
Please help !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You may also want to try to set your network settings to global rather than to lte. For some reason, if you have it set to global it uses a different radio and will work just fine on tmobile.
jmichaels1982 said:
Waw I did not think that happened . he called the phone lost stolen after he sold it . sorry this happened to you . did you call up Verizon to explain the situation ?, they are the ones that issued the lock on the ESN They might be able to help . please keep is posted
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have called both T-Mobile and Verizon.
I called Verizon first to explain the situation and the representative transferred me to Tech Support, and then the Tech Support asked me for the ESN, which I gave him. He then told that indeed the ESN is bad, but he could not find the reason why. He recommended me to call T-Mobile.
I then called T-Mobile and told them about the situation. It's funny because for reasons T-Mobile found out that the reason ESN is bad is because, exactly what you said, the phone has been reported lost/stolen. The phone is now blocked from accessing any US carriers. The representative from T-Mobile told me that Verizon was the one who put the lock on it, so I would need to call Verizon to get the problem fixed.
I called Verizon again, and this time, I spoke with a really friendly representative, she listened to the whole situation, and tried to fix the problem for me. She even tried to look up the phone numbers that I used to contact the guy with. But unfortunately, none would work. I feel really bad because she tried all she could. The conversation went on for almost an hour.
Long story short, the phone is now locked from being able to use with any US carriers. I'm stuck with a very expensive brick. Both T-Mobile and Verizon could not do anything about my situation. Pretty frustrated now.
Learned my lesson, I will never buy any phones from anyone on Craiglist ever again !
Certain people will buy it for parts . dont give up on selling it . try swappa next time . they have PayPal protection . although anyone can do what just happened to you . to protect yourself against this in the future : put the phone under your account either by calling or in a verizon store . I believe that once the ESN is registered under your name they can't report it lost or stolen . popping the Sim in , I think , without calling just puts the phone on your account but doesent register the ESN . these are all.just speculations . I could be way off. There is a verizon rep on these forums . he is very friendly ... Look up his forum and ask away !
It's unfortunate. I had a friend who ran into the same thing about two months ago with a note 2 on verizon. Not to mention I had been scammed on an ATT phone. Unfortunately att phones they dont block the phone for a couple hours, so when I was purchasing the phone I was able to make a test call then I got blocked in the morning. This was few months after tmobile, att and verizon instituted that co-network nationwide ban.
I'm not sure if it would help, but next time it might be a good idea to do a transaction instore. Possibly having one of the employees transfer over the phone and issuing a new sim card, might deter the would be thief from doing an insurance claim. Since you would be able to prove that you did everything in store, hopefully with the aid/witness of the verizon rep that helped you.
You can use blacklsted note 3 on att and t-mobile. However, u need to add apn into the phone yourself in order to get data. I don't need you need to root it or not to change it. Go switch to GSM I think there people who able to get lte on T-mobile in band 4 , but i don't know how. I had a blacklisted note 3 currently running on ATT. Only get H+ .
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2582747
I wonder what could be the motivation of a seller to report a phone stolen after selling it? Fraudulent insurance claim afterwards? Or maybe it was a stolen phone but the owner was out of town and was unaware of the theft? (Strange scenario.) Or maybe Verizon blacklists phones for non-payment on an account?
Sorry this happened to you, but I am sort of curious if you got a "too good to be true" deal off of CL... do you mind me asking how much you paid for a $700 phone?
Performing the sale right in a carrier's retail store with an immediate account transfer does seem to be a really good idea - if the seller gets cold feet about that, you'll know that things are not on the up and up.
A sure fix is replacing the motherboard with one from a shattered unit.
Check the IMEI number before purchasing.
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
raginmonkey said:
You may also want to try to set your network settings to global rather than to lte. For some reason, if you have it set to global it uses a different radio and will work just fine on tmobile.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did OP try this?
That's very unfortunate. I've dealt many times over craigslist I'm fortunate that the phones I've bought were from good people.
I hope you get something out of it.
I trade phones alot, and thats why I swap sims wherever I meet someone.
brex91 said:
I trade phones alot, and thats why I swap sims wherever I meet someone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you elaborate?
xdadevnube said:
Can you elaborate?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i mostly trade even up, went from a note 2 to a s4 to a note 3 and only spent money on gas to meet the person with the phone.
So when we both arrive I look at the phone for physical damage, then power both down, swap sims and power back up. If I get a signal it's activated. (on verizon at least)
(I think theres a limit to how many times you can do this in a certain period of time, but for me it's only every 6 months or so, so no problems)
And of course in my situation I'm doing trades locally off craigslist.
brex91 said:
i mostly trade even up, went from a note 2 to a s4 to a note 3 and only spent money on gas to meet the person with the phone.
So when we both arrive I look at the phone for physical damage, then power both down, swap sims and power back up. If I get a signal it's activated. (on verizon at least)
(I think theres a limit to how many times you can do this in a certain period of time, but for me it's only every 6 months or so, so no problems)
And of course in my situation I'm doing trades locally off craigslist.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I suppose after a trade you can call in your old phone lost/stolen if the other guy does it to your "new" phone. If you just buy a phone, then I can see what happened to the OP being much more likely.
Sent from my HTC6500LVW using Tapatalk 2
xdadevnube said:
I suppose after a trade you can call in your old phone lost/stolen if the other guy does it to your "new" phone. If you just buy a phone, then I can see what happened to the OP being much more likely.
Sent from my HTC6500LVW using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
possibly, but like i said, that's why I swap sims. After that the phone is activated on my account, they can't report it stolen. I make sure I have a signal before the trade is done.
brex91 said:
possibly, but like i said, that's why I swap sims. After that the phone is activated on my account, they can't report it stolen. I make sure I have a signal before the trade is done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now I'm confused. So in the case of the OP, he should have activated it with Verizon first (Verizon phone)?
He said it was working with T-Mobile, then it stopped working.
Sent from my HTC6500LVW using Tapatalk 2
Never heard of a Verizon phone being blocked from the other carriers. I bought a bad esn Verizon note 3 for my girlfriend off eBay and she still using it on AT&T. Please update on the situation if you're able to use with AT&T
Sent from my SM-N900V using xda app-developers app
so OP, did anything work out for you?
This just happend to me too..
I lost my AT&T S4, and since i had over a year left on the contract i sought craigslist for a new phone.
I purchased a used Verizon s4 for $380 from a person claiming to be the original owner, he said he upgraded and was selling the current phone.
I put my AT&T sim in the phone and it was all good.. i had signal and tested it by making a call to the sellers phone.. I did other physical check to make sure no water damage etc.
I purchased the phone and switch the SIM back to my temp dumb phone. when i reach home i was googling APN settings for AT&T when i came accross a link that mentioned bad ESN, so just for the heck of it, i plugged in the ESN of the new phone and turns out it was reported Stolen!!
i am little scared to put in my SIM back into the phone... is it OK to put the SIM back? will it work? is there any other issues i may face?
Ofcourse i tried contacting the seller,, but as exected, he has not responded yet.
I checked ESN on checkesnfree.com, as well as the verizon site and they all report it as stolen.
I checked same ESN on tmobile site and used the ESN # as IMEI, and even tmobile site said it was stolen.
I did the same thing on Swappa.com and they were not able to determine ESN status..
on AT&T, if i go in as a new buyer, add SIM card to my cart, it asks me to enter device IMEI and it accepts it.. the AT&T rep told me that this was a good way to check if IMEI is clean or not.. so i am assuming IMEI is clean on AT&T, but for how long??
Sorry i know i am asking Too many questions.. but this has been so sudden and unexpected.. kind of feeling like a fish out of water!
If a phone is reported stolen, it will not work on T-Mobile or AT&T. If it is bad esn/imei for non payment, then it will only be blocked on Verizon.

Bought a Verizon PrePaid Moto G Today...

So let me tell you how this went down...
First, I go to a local Best Buy Mobile store to check out the Moto G for my girlfriend. They tell me they can't sell me one in the store until Jan. 9th, but if I purchase one online and choose to pickup in the store, I could get one. So I stand in the store, buy the phone on my GS4, and pick it up at the counter. Weird process, but whatever.
So I bought the phone. The lady at the register assured me that I would be able to use this on her line (which is a contract line). Go to activate it, and find out that it can't be done until the 9th. That's cool, no problem. Once I get home, I find out that the phone will only work on a prepaid line and BestBuy did not inform me of this. I go back up to the store to return it, but they won't take it back because it's opened. Oh, I forgot to mention, the lady at the damn counter was the one who opened it!
So, is there ANY way that I could get this to activate on a contract line without having it activated on a prepaid line for 6 months, or am I screwed? If not, is there a good way to bypass the activation and use it solely as a wifi "tablet" (for my girlfriend's kid)?
If I actually am screwed, anyone want this thing for $80 shipped in the continental US?
That's a lie about it being opened. I have returned prepaid phone there on several occasions. There is something either shady about your story or the person working but something isn't adding up here.
Sent from my XT1034 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
There is no SIM slot right?
big gulps huh? said:
That's a lie about it being opened. I have returned prepaid phone there on several occasions. There is something either shady about your story or the person working but something isn't adding up here.
Sent from my XT1034 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I thought something was fishy about that too. I'm going to try and take it back when someone else is working.
szymgio said:
There is no SIM slot right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct, there is no SIM slot.
rngrdanny22 said:
If not, is there a good way to bypass the activation and use it solely as a wifi "tablet" (for my girlfriend's kid)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can bypass the activation easily, simply hit next 1 time, pull down the notification center, click on the multitasking button and swipe away the activation screen quickly, and boom! You have a $100 iPod touch alternative (which is why I bought it) I recorded a short video to show you, wiped it real quick because I just got it yesterday anyways
Code:
youtu.be/qhphsyRFEy4
rngrdanny22 said:
Yeah, I thought something was fishy about that too. I'm going to try and take it back when someone else is working.
Correct, there is no SIM slot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't make sense to buy device without SIM slot...
szymgio said:
It doesn't make sense to buy device without SIM slot...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why? CDMA phones have never used SIM slots. It's only with LTE now that Verizon and Sprint have used SIMs in their phones
wws12 said:
Why? CDMA phones have never used SIM slots. It's only with LTE now that Verizon and Sprint have used SIMs in their phones
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I like to have choice.
uhm it was my impression that with bestbuy you can return prepaid phones opened within 14 days, the part you left out of your story is how long you waited to return the phone!
rngrdanny22 said:
So let me tell you how this went down...
First, I go to a local Best Buy Mobile store to check out the Moto G for my girlfriend. They tell me they can't sell me one in the store until Jan. 9th, but if I purchase one online and choose to pickup in the store, I could get one. So I stand in the store, buy the phone on my GS4, and pick it up at the counter. Weird process, but whatever.
So I bought the phone. The lady at the register assured me that I would be able to use this on her line (which is a contract line). Go to activate it, and find out that it can't be done until the 9th. That's cool, no problem. Once I get home, I find out that the phone will only work on a prepaid line and BestBuy did not inform me of this. I go back up to the store to return it, but they won't take it back because it's opened. Oh, I forgot to mention, the lady at the damn counter was the one who opened it!
So, is there ANY way that I could get this to activate on a contract line without having it activated on a prepaid line for 6 months, or am I screwed? If not, is there a good way to bypass the activation and use it solely as a wifi "tablet" (for my girlfriend's kid)?
If I actually am screwed, anyone want this thing for $80 shipped in the continental US?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice
skyhawk21 said:
uhm it was my impression that with bestbuy you can return prepaid phones opened within 14 days, the part you left out of your story is how long you waited to return the phone!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Verizon phone has only been available for 3 days. He's no way near the 14 day limit. Love the attitude.
szymgio said:
I like to have choice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool story, brah. Nonetheless, I guess you missed the fact that he bought this for his girlfriend who is under contract with Verizon which is a CDMA carrier. You can't buy a GSM phone and use it on a CDMA carrier. The only time one would need a SIM card slot is if you're using it on Sprint or Verizon's LTE network and since this phone doesn't have LTE....
Thanks for the responses guys! I'll try the unlock method later tonight when I have the phone in hand again (girlfriend still has it at the moment).
As for the return policy, I agree with y'all. I probably should be able to take it back, but the lady at the counter seemed like she might have been new or something. I actually tried to take it back about 4 hours later, so way within the 14 day window mentioned earlier.
On a side note, I won't be using the phone either way as I just went ahead and bought a like-new GS3 from a friend that she is going to use (wish I would have known he was selling it PRIOR to all this). If I can use it as a tablet, I'll just let her kid have it, but if not, I'll try and take it back again.
Will keep everyone posted!
keep us posted guy, I might take you up on that offer.
Good luck.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
sicembaylor said:
Cool story, brah. Nonetheless, I guess you missed the fact that he bought this for his girlfriend who is under contract with Verizon which is a CDMA carrier. You can't buy a GSM phone and use it on a CDMA carrier. The only time one would need a SIM card slot is if you're using it on Sprint or Verizon's LTE network and since this phone doesn't have LTE....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you use this phone with other CDMA carrier?
So I can buy one at best buy at 99 usd and use or not? No need anything like an active line or anything else?
Sent from my Moto G
Lay295 said:
You can bypass the activation easily, simply hit next 1 time, pull down the notification center, click on the multitasking button and swipe away the activation screen quickly, and boom! You have a $100 iPod touch alternative (which is why I bought it) I recorded a short video to show you, wiped it real quick because I just got it yesterday anyways
Code:
youtu.be/qhphsyRFEy4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alejandrissimo said:
So I can buy one at best buy at 99 usd and use or not? No need anything like an active line or anything else?
Sent from my Moto G
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
read post above. I my self haven't bought one yet. buy looks like we can
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Alejandrissimo said:
So I can buy one at best buy at 99 usd and use or not? No need anything like an active line or anything else?
Sent from my Moto G
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct. After being told they didn't have any at my local store I was happy to inform them that they had 8 of them in stock which was very easy to find out online, and a little arguing about whether or not they could sell it yet, as well as a call to their Verizon rep, I finally was able to procure a Moto G without activating it. Hoping to find out this will work immediately with PagePlus.
Good news everyone, I was able to bypass the activation screen and unlock the phone for "tablet" use (using the methods mentioned in this thread). After playing with the phone for a little while, I gotta say, I actually like the thing! While we won't be using this as a phone, I will probably keep it to use as a MP3 player for the house.
I played around with the features a little and the only real disappointment that I saw was the camera. Maybe I'm use to the 13MP on the GS4, but the picture quality just didn't seem very good. Better than my girlfriend's old iPhone 4, but lacking nonetheless.
Willieumm said:
Correct. After being told they didn't have any at my local store I was happy to inform them that they had 8 of them in stock which was very easy to find out online, and a little arguing about whether or not they could sell it yet, as well as a call to their Verizon rep, I finally was able to procure a Moto G without activating it. Hoping to find out this will work immediately with PagePlus.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let me know how that works out. I tried and the pageplus rep said that the phone was unable to work, and it needed to be 'unlocked.' I wonder if I just got someone who didn't know what to do.
I returned my Verizon prepaid moto g today to BB. I did not have any issues. They did check to see if it had been activated. They turned the phone on and seeing the activate wizard appear turned it off. They only thing I didn't get back was the $0.70 for a 911 fee.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda app-developers app

[Q][New Verizon Activation]

Has anyone activated the MXP as a new Verizon contract? I have read thorough the post and have seen mostly people that have already had Verizon contracts and just put that Sim in the MXP.
Sent from my SCH-R530U using Tapatalk
I'm wondering the same having only used GSM phones. So far I'm using my AT&T SIM but believe Verizon has better coverage in my area (western CT).
On their site I started here (scroll down) with the 'I'm not with Verizon' button, then chose 'I have my own device' on the popup and got to a page I can't directly link that asks for my device ID/IMEI, and then tells me "The phone associated with the Device ID you entered is not compatible with the Verizon Wireless network."
I would like the 3 GB $45/mo plan and am assuming that's with no contract and should be available for the Moto XPE, right? I can go to a store but I'd like to know the facts first to avoid getting derailed by unknowledgeable/uncooperative staff, though I'd prefer doing it online if I can get past the phone ID barrier. Maybe they'll update their approved phones soon but I'd like to shift over before the 20th when my current month ends with AT&T. Should I try calling them and has anyone done that successfully?
Dahenjo1 said:
I'm wondering the same having only used GSM phones. So far I'm using my AT&T SIM but believe Verizon has better coverage in my area (western CT).
On their site I started here (scroll down) with the 'I'm not with Verizon' button, then chose 'I have my own device' on the popup and got to a page I can't directly link that asks for my device ID/IMEI, and then tells me "The phone associated with the Device ID you entered is not compatible with the Verizon Wireless network."
I would like the 3 GB $45/mo plan and am assuming that's with no contract and should be available for the Moto XPE, right? I can go to a store but I'd like to know the facts first to avoid getting derailed by unknowledgeable/uncooperative staff, though I'd prefer doing it online if I can get past the phone ID barrier. Maybe they'll update their approved phones soon but I'd like to shift over before the 20th when my current month ends with AT&T. Should I try calling them and has anyone done that successfully?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah. I am thinking we have to take it to the store and have it activated. Tell me how it goes and what you decide.
Sent from my SM-P600 using Tapatalk
I called the number on the website and got a sales associate who also took my IMEI and said it's not currently 'registered' (the word he used) on Verizon, so I can't get a new account using it. He couldn't/wouldn't give any clear idea on if/when it will be but did say the new plans are no-contract now. My guess is a store will tell us the same thing, so won't bother unless we hear of success stories from others and how they did it.
Dahenjo1 said:
I called the number on the website and got a sales associate who also took my IMEI and said it's not currently 'registered' (the word he used) on Verizon, so I can't get a new account using it. He couldn't/wouldn't give any clear idea on if/when it will be but did say the new plans are no-contract now. My guess is a store will tell us the same thing, so won't bother unless we hear of success stories from others and how they did it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Someone on motorola forums wrote to activate without entering any IMEI number,because system will show that IMEI is not in their system.
I wonder if buying a prepaid Verizon Sim then using that to open a normal Verizon.
Sent from my SCH-R530U using Tapatalk
Orion116 said:
I wonder if buying a prepaid Verizon Sim then using that to open a normal Verizon.
Sent from my SCH-R530U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or simply buy a regular sim card for htc m9 on ebay or wherever and then chat with them or call and ask them to activate without device,tell them you are using non-vzw device which works just fine on Verizon,or some people had success at corporate stores with managers activating,or if you have a good premium retailer try that as well.
Need an imei of a device that takes a nano sim that is allowed on VZW network. I wasn't making a new account but I needed the nano sim. Wife's device (galaxy s6)is on the account and had the VZW rep use her device imei to issue me a simcard. Works perfect.
patt2k said:
Or simply buy a regular sim card for htc m9 on ebay or wherever and then chat with them or call and ask them to activate without device,tell them you are using non-vzw device which works just fine on Verizon,or some people had success at corporate stores with managers activating,or if you have a good premium retailer try that as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah it all depends on the tech I think. I have heard of all kinds of stories about the "techs", lol
Sent from my SCH-R530U using Tapatalk
NoFear1183 said:
Need an imei of a device that takes a nano sim that is allowed on VZW network. I wasn't making a new account but I needed the nano sim. Wife's device (galaxy s6)is on the account and had the VZW rep use her device imei to issue me a simcard. Works perfect.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is why I think using a prepaid Sim might work, because since is under Verizon's BYOD, Bring Your Own Device, that they will allow it to be activated. I am then wondering if I then ask for a normal contract if it would be simpler.
Sent from my SCH-R530U using Tapatalk
What a pain in the @$$ all this seems... If Verizon isn't doing contracts what do they care? We are still paying for there service... I don't get how what phone you will use on it matters? I am planning to go back to Verizon but I don't want to deal with this when I do. Grr
Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk
Tfast500 said:
What a pain in the @$$ all this seems... If Verizon isn't doing contracts what do they care? We are still paying for there service... I don't get how what phone you will use on it matters? I am planning to go back to Verizon but I don't want to deal with this when I do. Grr
Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am now thinking if the device is purchased directly for Motorola then it will active on Verizon but if it is bought else where then it is an issue.
Sent from my SCH-R530U using Tapatalk
Bump
Sent from my SCH-R530U using Tapatalk
Orion116 said:
I am now thinking if the device is purchased directly for Motorola then it will active on Verizon but if it is bought else where then it is an issue.
Sent from my SCH-R530U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's only 3 places to buy from: Motorola, Amazon and Best Buy. If you're buying from Best Buy, they can activate it for you. I believe with Amazon, you would have to go to your carrier just like if you bought from Motorola.
Pretty irritating
I bought the prepaid sim pack yesterday & spent an hour and a half on the phone with them and can't get it activated. Does anyone know what to do? Apparently the device isn't in the system according to the techs I spoke with even though you can enter it in the device compatibility and it says it is

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