Stolen Cellphone Databases Switched On In US 165
alphadogg writes "U.S. cellphone carriers took a major step on Wednesday toward curbing the rising number of smartphone thefts with the introduction of databases that will block stolen phones from being used on domestic networks. The initiative got its start earlier this year when the FCC and police chiefs from major cities asked the cellular carriers for assistance in battling the surging number of smartphone thefts. In New York, more than 40 percent of all robberies involve cellphones and in Washington, D.C., cellphone thefts accounted for 38 percent of all robberies in 2011."
Re:Why (Score:5, Interesting)
The cellphone is less of the cost than the service.
Because they can sell the phone at just below "off contract" prices. Remember, the cost of cell phones if you purchase them outright is about 2-3x what it is if you buy them on contract. If you are on contract and lose your phone, the replacement is full price. Or, people can buy these phones and use them on non-contract networks that tend to be cheaper since they usually don't offer phone discounts.
38% of crime (Score:4, Interesting)
What I don't understand is why that much crime is going uninvestigated. Why aren't there dedicated law enforcement units working in major metropolitan areas to recover these phones? In most jurisdictions, they are valuable enough to qualify the theft as grand larceny. What's more, each cell phone has a built-in tracking device accurate to within a few meters, and have microphones and cameras built in! These aren't exactly difficult crimes to solve.
Re:So it begins.. (Score:4, Interesting)
In Sweden you need to report the phone stolen to the police before blacklisting it. Works like a charm. No problems what so ever.
Re:Why block them? (Score:4, Interesting)
Unsubsidized smartphones easily cost $600+, which constitutes grand larceny (often a felony) in most states.
I agree that the current holder of the device is probably not the person who stole it, but over a few data points it probably wouldn't be terribly difficult (yet) to track it back to the original thief, what with everything being location-aware these days. That said, you're right - if we just shut the devices off immediately, the desire to steal phones should drop to nearly zero overnight.
Re:Why block them? (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:Why block them? (Score:2, Interesting)
I am not a lawyer, but I had someone break into my car and steal a phone. Months later cops arrested someone they suspected, but couldn't prove, was guilty of a ton of break ins. They found my phone on him and traced it back to me even though I never even reported it stolen. I was asked to come in and fill out paperwork and to provide the retail replacement cost of the phone. The in subsidized new retail price was used and he was charged with a felony. All because he wanted to "look like money" walking around with a non-functioning Star Tac with a Mercedes logo on it.
Re:Welcome (Score:4, Interesting)
You can and I used to have a phone reprogrammed to give me a random IMEI each time I started it. It's just harder to change IMEI and there are also laws against it.
They do care (Score:3, Interesting)
Carriers want you to sign a new two-year contract. They also aren't entirely thrilled that you can get an inexpensive second-hand phone and activate it on a prepaid plan. T-Mobile already does block a phone's IMEI if the the original owner abandoned their account with an unpaid balance (a matter that should be left to collection agencies, not handled by blacklisting a phone). Worse, T-Mobile is known to block a phone after it's already been sold and is in use by a new owner who had no way of knowing the previous owner didn't make good on their final bill. There's a whole thread about this on HowardForums.