CheckMEND is the most comprehensive device history check available; the ‘gold standard’ in due diligence.
So how does it differ from other device history reports and the basic IMEI checks you can find online?
Firstly, it’s important to note that IMEI checks are just for mobile phones. CheckMEND can search not just on IMEIs, but on serial numbers too, so it will check up on the history of tablets, laptops and a whole host of other items, as well as phones.
Most device checks – including CheckMEND – will give you the following information, when you provide them with the IMEI or serial number:
- Verification of the manufacturer and model of the item.
- Whether the device is blocked (or has ever been blocked); this usually happens after it has been reported to the mobile phone network as being lost or stolen.
Whilst this basic level of information is useful, there is so much more you need to know before buying a device second-hand, whether you’re a retailer, recycler or an individual.
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CheckMEND, through its links with the rest of the Recipero crime reduction ecosystem, is in a unique position to paint you a much more detailed picture of a device’s history:
Whether the item has been reported lost or stolen to us
A loss could have been reported to us directly through Immobilise (the national property register) or Report My Loss. Stolen items show up in official police records via the NMPR.
Outcome: Handling of lost or stolen goods. Even if the device isn’t currently blocked, it doesn’t mean it won’t be in the near future.
Whether the item is the subject of a settled insurance claim
A red result would indicate that the item has been shared with us as the subject of a settled insurance claim, via ClaimsCheck.
Outcome: Legal title of the item belongs to the insurer, so you cannot legally own the device.
Whether the device is a suspected clone
Phone cloning is the illegal practice of copying the identification credentials a phone uses in order to connect to a network.
An amber result indicates that the serial checked appears in multiple devices. This is usually restricted to phones. Genuine phones will never share an IMEI. It is amber rather than red because there is no way to determine which of many devices with the same IMEI is the genuine one.
Outcome: Clones are fraudulent handsets with stolen credentials, often sold by criminals to generate revenue. Text messages and calls can also be intercepted.
Whether the device is a reported counterfeit
An amber result indicates that the serial being checked is reported to us as being used in counterfeit devices. It is amber rather than red because there is no way to determine which of many devices with the same IMEI is the genuine one.
Outcome: Typically, counterfeit goods are of inferior quality to the genuine article. They may not be fit for purpose and fake electrical goods can even be a safety risk. Buying counterfeit goods can be damaging to the economy and the sale proceeds are often used to fund more sinister organised crime.
Whether there are one or more previous owners registered
An amber result indicates that the item has been registered under at least one other previous owner, via Immobilise (the national property register).
Outcome: This would only be a concern if the item is being sold as new.
Whether the device belongs to – and is being monitored by – a corporation
A red result indicates that the device being checked is being monitored by Recipero’s AssetWatch service.
Outcome: The device is owned by a corporation, so while an individual may possess it, they may not have the right to legally sell it.
With any of these additional datasets that are checked against, if a red flag is returned then the item poses a risk to any potential buyer.
In most cases, the item cannot legally be sold on. And if you can’t legally own the item, this could pose real issues for you in the future, either during your use of the device or later down the line, if you try to sell it.
If you are selling an item and a CheckMEND search flags an issue with it that you believe to be incorrect, we are here to help. We are happy to look into records that are disputed and where possible resolve the issue, or advise on the source of a record and what action needs to be taken in order to resolve it. Please contact support@checkmend.com with the details of your search and we will investigate the issue.
Please note: Specific traders in niche markets or geographies may be configured to include more or fewer data sources. Data sources may also vary with the class of items being checked. For enquiries please contact support.