Avoid Buying a Stolen Phone: How MobiCHECK® SHARE Helps You Stay Safe

The Growing Concern of Stolen Phones & Mobile Fraud

Smartphones are more expensive than ever. As a result, phone theft and mobile fraud have risen over time. According to the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) report for England and Wales, nearly 70% of all robberies in London last year involved stolen phones. In 2022 alone, civilians reported 38,996 mobile phone thefts.

Mobile phone crime isn’t just street robbery. It can also include SIM swapping, account takeover, and seller fraud. Because the risks vary, you need reliable checks before you buy, sell, or accept a device. Otherwise, you may not know what you’re dealing with until it’s too late.

Whether you’re a business handling second-hand stock or a consumer buying refurbished, a fraudulent phone can cost you time and money. That’s where MobiCode’s MobiCHECK® tools can help.

What To Do With A Stolen Phone

A stolen phone often becomes unusable. Networks may block it, which can stop calls, data, or activation. So, if you suspect a device is stolen, act quickly. The steps below help you protect yourself and report it correctly.

For Individuals:

1. Verify the phone’s status: If you suspect theft, check the IMEI status with MyMobiCheck. This helps confirm whether someone has reported it stolen. If it hasn’t been reported, you should report it.

2. Report to the police: Contact your local police and file a report. Provide the IMEI and any purchase details you have.

3. Request a refund: If you bought the phone from a shop or online marketplace, contact the seller and explain the issue. For guidance, see Citizens Advice.

4. Contact your bank: If the seller refuses a refund, ask your bank about chargeback or card protection. Your rights depend on how you paid.

5. Prevent future issues: Before buying second-hand, run an IMEI check with MyMobiCheck. That way, you reduce the risk upfront.

For Businesses:

1. Take immediate action: If you suspect a device is stolen, stop any transaction linked to it. Don’t resell it or strip it for parts. That can create legal risk.

2. Report and flag the device: Use MobiCHECK® to hot-list the device and record the incident. This helps prevent onward trading within connected workflows.

3. Contact authorities: Report the case to the police and provide the IMEI plus your supplier details.

4. Notify the seller: If you bought it from another business, contact them immediately. Ask for their checks, records, and refund process.

5. Prevent future incidents: Add verification at goods-in. For example, check every IMEI before you book stock into inventory or list it for resale.

Our Solution to Avoid Buying a Stolen Phone: MobiCHECK®

MobiCode created MobiCHECK® to support safer, more confident device trading. It’s our mobile device due diligence software, and it gives you access to our data-sharing ecosystem, known as MobiCHECK® SHARE. As a result, you can reduce the risk of buying stolen or fraudulent devices.

MobiCHECK® uses live data shared across a network of trusted contributors. These include insurance, law enforcement, recyclers, and mobile networks. Because the data updates in near real time, you can make decisions using the most current available status.

These live channels help you spot devices marked as lost or stolen. In turn, this protects your customers and reduces avoidable losses. Law enforcement, insurance teams, recyclers, and high-street retailers use MobiCHECK® to strengthen fraud controls.

Features of MobiCHECK®

1. Secure Data Sharing: GDPR-aligned data exchange supports safer sharing to help prevent crime and fraud.

2. Real-time Intelligence: Get up-to-date signals that support faster decisions at the point of purchase or intake.

3. Footprint Data: View relevant device trading activity within connected resale and recycling workflows.

4. Buying Data: Receive seller-related details where available, based on devices traded within the network.

5. Blocklist Devices: Block devices linked to insurance claims at the point of claim request.

6. Hot List Devices: Add devices of interest to a Hot List to prevent trading and trigger alerts.

7. Data Search Service: Upload bulk data and receive processed results in minutes.

8. Watch List: Add devices to a silent watch list so only your team receives alerts.

If you’re a business that wants to reduce the cost of fraudulent purchases, you can find more information here.