Stolen iPhone sending O2 Roaming Text how

[markembee]

A family member had iPhone stolen over a week ago. We got a replacement sim but with SAME number on a new phone. Crime was reported to police and also gave IMEI Number. 1 week later, a message appeared on mt family's new phone with message:

Welcome to ALGERIA. If you want to use data while you're here, you'll need to buy a Zone 3 Bolt On ....

I contacted O2 who confirmed my account with this number has not been affected but I am still a bit worried. They would not bar the phone as it was purchased elsewhere.

MY question is how does the IMEI link to the old stolen phone number given that we now have a new IMEI with the same number, and the old SIM was deactivated as soon as O2 replaced it in the new phone.

I have updated the Crime report and hope the Police can bar it, but am still concerned there may be some criminal activity on my account though seen none so far.

Many thanks for any help or advice.

[MI5]

@markembee 

IMEI bar was probably only applied to UK, hence why many stolen phones get shipped abroad as they will still work outside of UK.

World wide barring is possible but not commonly used.

[markembee]

Oh bad news, someone got away with a nice phone! But my question is how is the IMEI linked to the phone number and therefore will my phone continue to get message from the thief as I have the same phone number (was advised to keep the same number by Apple).

[MI5]

@markembee 

The IMEI is still linked via your Apple ID.

You can remove it in your settings.

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/118412

Might also be worth remote wiping the old device if possible https://support.apple.com/et-ee/guide/icloud/mmfc0ef36f/icloud

[markembee]

I need to check on my family's appleID but Find My was removed soon after it was stolen and I don't think the phone would therefore show in his account, but I will look when I can.

My best hope is that the police get involved and are able to bar and deactivate it possibly with help from O2.

Thanks.

[MI5]

@markembee 

Did you ask O2 to bar it?

Guide: Lost or Stolen O2 Device? - How to Report it 

Guide: O2 BARs 

If not, you can still do it, but make sure they only bar the device and not the sim or account.

You can check the status on this website https://www.checkmend.com/uk

[markembee]

Hi, O2 would not bar it as phone was not purchased from them, they said I should contact John Lewis store instead, I am going there Monday. This is in addition to informing the police, but as the phone is abroad then barring IMEI wont work unless Police can track it and inform other operators. Thank you for your help, will update if I get positive response so it may help others. Regards, Mark

[MI5]

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@markembee wrote:

Hi, O2 would not bar it as phone was not purchased from them, they said I should contact John Lewis store instead,

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That's complete  @markembee 

Call again or try on SM

Message them on Social Media. Facebook (https://o2uk.co/O2CFB) , Twitter (X) (https://o2uk.co/O2CTW) or Instagram (https://o2uk.co/O2CIG}

[markembee]

Gave up in the end, O2 said to ask John Lewis who said ask Apple who said they can’t do anything. Police said only O2 can bar it but they won’t, so maybe it was barred in the UK anyway when the sim was deactivated, but as it has been sent overseas there is not much anyone can do. Also tried O2 on X but no luck there either so having had too much stress dealing with it I will live with consequences and ensure new  phone secured better and full insurance taken out. Thanks to 'MI5' for help.

[MI5]

@markembee 

Sorry you've fallen foul of the incompetence that is O2 customer services these days.

One day, someone with some authority will realise and do something about it (who am I kidding?)

Anyway, you're welcome for as much as I could do for you.