Tag Archives: IMEI

CheckMEND

Are you getting the full picture?

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:

  1. Verification of the manufacturer and model of the item.
  2. 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.

View a Sample CheckMEND Report >

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.

CheckMEND, Mobile Phones

Staying safe when buying a second-hand device online

Buying privately can save you more money than buying refurbished, but here are the things you need to check before buying a phone or device from an online marketplace or auction site.

Is it worth it?

Buying a device or mobile phone second-hand often works out much cheaper than buying brand new and it’s becoming a far more popular option for consumers looking to keep costs down. It’s also a much more environmentally-friendly purchase than buying new. Buying second-hand helps to keep e-waste down and considerably lengthens the lifetime of the device. It all helps to build a more sustainable, circular economy.

You can buy refurbished devices from retailers, or you can buy from an individual through one of the many second-hand marketplaces and auction sites available online.

Buying a refurbished device direct from a retailer can be the more straightforward option. The device will usually go through thorough checks before being offered for sale and come with a 12-month warranty period to cover any technical issues.

However, buying privately can often save you a lot more money than buying refurbished, particularly if you’re buying on an auction site and the bidding starts low.

The best time to buy is usually following the release of a newer model, as the second-hand marketplace suddenly floods with older versions, some of which would only have been released in the previous year!

Know before you buy

Consumer rights are different when you buy from a private seller – they don’t have to disclose any faults, but they aren’t allowed to misrepresent the item either. If they did, you would be entitled to a full refund.

Given this, it’s really important to do your research and check that the device is exactly what you’re looking for, to avoid disappointment when it arrives. You need to know exactly what you’re getting! Don’t be afraid to ask the seller questions if there’s anything not covered in the item description.

Here are some things to bear in mind before you press the ‘Buy’ button.

  1. Check the phone’s condition:
    • Does the phone switch on and work as it should? (This is an obvious one, but it’s worth checking, just in case!)
    • Do the cameras and all of the buttons work?
    • Is the device still under warranty?
    • What physical condition is the item in – are there scratches on the device or any cracks in the screen? Ask for photos of any damage.
    • What accessories are included? Does the device come with the original charger, headphones etc?
    • Are the ports working, particularly the charging port?
  1. Check the battery health

Like all rechargeable batteries, phone batteries become less effective as the device gets older. The good news is your seller can check the device to tell you how effective the battery is, so you don’t get a nasty surprise when it arrives.

Replacement phone batteries vary in price with some being fairly inexpensive, so you may still decide to go ahead with the purchase if the battery capacity isn’t optimal, but you will at least be forewarned.

  1. Will the device receive updates?

Over time, smartphones can get ‘left behind’ by the manufacturer, when they no longer support the model with updates. Once a phone stops receiving crucial security updates, it can leave it open to hackers, so this is something to consider when buying an older handset, whether that’s through a private sale or through a second-hand retailer.

Which? has an online tool that lets you check whether a smartphone model is still receiving updates and even estimates when it may stop being supported.

  1. Research prices for similar second-hand devices online

If the price listed is much cheaper than others in a similar condition, it may well be too good to be true, so approach with caution.

  1. Who is the seller?

Some online second-hand marketplaces have review systems in place so that users can rate their experience with a buyer/seller. Check your seller’s ratings or reviews before buying from them.

When it comes to payment, avoid bank transfers as they offer you limited protection. Instead, you should:

  • Send the money via the marketplace’s official app, or
  • Use PayPal (Goods and Services, not Family and Friends), or
  • As a last resort, use your debit or credit card.

Also, as a side note to this, always stick to the selling platform for your messaging – don’t give out your phone number and don’t switch to texts or whatsapp.

  1. Take screenshots

Just in case anything goes wrong later down the line, keep a record of the listing, seller’s details, any message history and your transactions.

  1. Is the item legitimate?

Before parting with your hard-earned cash, you need to check that the item is genuine – that it is actually the model you’re looking for and not a fake, or cloned, device.

You will also want to know as much about the device history as possible – you don’t want to buy a phone that has been reported as stolen, or has had an insurance claim made on it, for example. If your seller doesn’t actually own the item, they can’t legitimately sell it and you can therefore never legally own the device, either.

So you’re looking for proof that the item is what the seller says it is and that they can legally sell it. This is where CheckMEND comes in, the world’s most comprehensive device check.

You can ask your seller for a CheckMEND certificate; they should be able to give you an ID for you to verify for yourself online. Or you can ask the seller for the IMEI* or serial number of the device; that’s all you need to check the item’s device history yourself.

A free check is available for all new users (£1.99 thereafter).

*The IMEI number is the phone’s unique identifier. It can be found by typing *#06# into the phone.

When your item arrives…

After all of your research and effort, hopefully you’ve bagged yourself a bargain and you’ll be very happy with your new device. It’s worth giving it a thorough check when it first arrives to make sure it’s everything you were hoping for and that it hasn’t been mis-sold to you.

  • Is the item as described?
  • Are all the accessories that were promised included?
  • Is everything in good working order?
  • Is the device charging properly? Charging ports can build up with dirt or lint which affects the connection, but they can usually be easily cleaned.

What to do when a sale goes wrong

If the item is different to what you were expecting in any way, you should first try to resolve the issue with the seller. Contact them as soon as you can after receiving the device and give them a deadline to respond to you. Remember, if the item has been misrepresented, you are within your rights to ask for a refund.

If there is anything you are unsure of, or you need more help with a consumer problem, you can contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline in the UK or Fair Trading in Australia.

You can also contact Citizens Advice if you need to report a trader who is selling fake or counterfeit goods to Trading Standards.

NMPR, Recipero

How can the NMPR help with Police investigations?

Imagine a scenario where you’ve seized the mobile phone, tablet, laptop or other digital device in the course of your investigation. You’ve downloaded the contents or interrogated the device for evidence. With any luck, you’ve found something to assist you to seek well-earned justice for the victim in the case, but why stop there…

Tap the IMEI or serial number into the National Mobile Property Register (NMPR) which has a wealth unique data drawn from the Recipero Crime Reduction Ecosystem. To find the IMEI on any phone dial *#06#. Device data collected from various sources starts to form a picture of the device’s history and provides intelligence that can reveal more about the device itself than the contents of it, helping you make more of every lead.

We have helped to join the dots for a wide range of use cases and investigations ranging from all different types of crime, missing persons, organised crime, custody suite checks on property in the possession of detainees and many others.

If you are interested in finding out more about the ways the NMPR can help make you more efficient in the fight against crime then please get in touch. We recently helped North Wales Police with a week-long force-wide training roadshow which has already started to yield positive results.

Thanks for reading and I look forward to working with you soon!

Andrew Kewley
Police Business Development Manager
andrew.kewley@recipero.com

CheckMEND, Crime, Fraud, Immobilise, Mobile Phones, Recipero

Don’t get hung up with fraud this New Year and check for warning signs when buying a second hand phone

Mobile phone fraud prevention specialist, Recipero, part of the Callcredit Information Group, is urging consumers and retailers to undertake device checks when buying a second hand phone to avoid becoming a victim of fraud during the January sales and beyond.

Recipero’s CheckMEND data* reveals, that the number of device checks made on second hand iPhones has almost doubled in the last four years, highlighting the growth in the size of the second hand phone market and the increased awareness amongst some consumers and retailers of ensuring the legitimacy of second hand phones.

Last January there was a spike in the number of iPhone checks performed via the Recipero CheckMEND service. More than 1.3 million checks took place (more than 400,000 up on the month before) and Callcredit’s analysts are expecting upwards of two million at the start of 2018.

Mark Harman, Managing Director of Recipero, said: “Even though our findings highlight that there has been an increase in second hand iPhone device checks, fraud is prevalent in what is a market for increasingly expensive devices. Latest ONS crime figures, compiled from the Crime Survey for England and Wales, show 401,000 mobile phones were reported as stolen in the 12 month period ending March 2017. It’s important that consumers and retailers take the necessary precautions and check the history of a device.”

The Recipero data also revealed a surge in the number of searches on the CheckMEND database following the introduction of new iPhone models – as it shows the number of device checks being performed increasing by over a third (36.6%)** in the period after a new release.

Mark concluded: “A check on a second hand phone includes a device life history that starts at the point of manufacture, through ownership changes, right up to it being recycled. The device is checked against IMEI, a phone’s unique reference number, loss and theft reports and police crime reports in the US and UK, insurers title information and settled claims.
These checks provide information which will flag up (red) in a CheckMEND report if the device is compromised, helping to protect those purchasing a second hand phone from acquiring a lost or stolen device.”

*Based on CheckMEND UK data of number of checks made on iPhones each month from Jan 2014- Dec 2017 inclusive. Taken from the Recipero database which is part of the Callcredit Information Group.

**Based on the average number of CheckMEND iPhone device checks two months prior to a new iPhone launch and the average for the two months following.

Recipero

Jack McArtney presents at the Wireless Repair Expo: Do IMEI checks matter? Enabling hassle free activation, maximize residual value

‘The Wireless Repair Expo 2017’, the official partner of Mobile World Congress, Americas, is just around the corner!

Running from 12-14th September and offering 12,000 square feet of exhibitors showcasing best of class in wireless repair. The Wireless Repair EXPO will offer live hands-on training and business owner’s workshop sessions onsite. Learn techniques on how to support and improve your business.

On the 12th September Jack McArtney, the VP Industry Relations for Recipero and leading innovator in mobile device fraud and theft will be presenting between 4-5pm.

Jack will be discussing how to improve confidence in buying and selling smartphones by using Recipero’s ecosystem of reliable operators, resellers, consumers and law enforcement showing you how the industry could save billions and strengthen reliability of IMEI data on lost, stolen, blocked or blacklisted phones.

Then join us for a cocktail party to round up the event and network with people in the know.

The Wireless Repair Expo 2017 is being held at the Moscone Center, 747 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94103.

For further information please contact us (Recipero website / email) or visit the following site for additional event details: http://www.wirelessrepairexpo2017.com/

Bicycles, Crime, Immobilise, ImmobiTag, Lost Property, Mobile Phones, Police, Students

Back to school… With £3.2 billion worth of tech

Schoolimage1When the school gates opened for the new term, its estimated that under 16s’ bags contained over £3.2 billion worth of tech – a staggering average in excess of £270 per school bag*. Such high values intensify issues associated with loss and theft requiring students to be ever more cautious.

To stay safe and secure we recommend …

  • Students shouldn’t leave their smartphones, cameras, iPods and tablets unattended, and when not in use they should be kept secure in a locked bag or locker.
  • Don’t show off expensive devices, especially in public spaces. Children and young teenagers make easy targets for unscrupulous thieves.
  • Ensure gadgets are registered on Immobilise,  recording the make, model,  and any serial codes but most importantly for smartphones the IMEI number – for mobiles just key in *#06#  on the handset to display the IMEI.
  • Bicycles should be kept in the school’s designated areas and secured with a D-lock to an immovable object such as ground mounted loop. Don’t forget to register the bike on Immobilise and consider enhancing the registration with an ImmobiTag RFID tag.

* Statistics sourced from USwitch Survey: USwitch

This post is an extract from our regular email updates that contain other crime prevention tips and topical news along side special offers and discounts on items in our Immobilise property marking and security products. (Go to: https://shop.immobilise.com/)

To subscribe please update the preferences in your Immobilise account: https://www.immobilise.com/login 

CheckMEND, CheckMEND USA, Crime, Fraud, Lost Property, Mobile Phones, Police, Recipero

Recipero’s CheckMEND goes mobile to help protect mobile device traders!

CheckMEND Responsive WebsiteRecipero are pleased to announce the global launch their new CheckMEND website. The new mobile friendly design helps CheckMEND users run real-time reports to avoid trading stolen phones and mobile devices, regardless of location or access-device.

Launched simultaneously in the US, UK and EU the new responsive site has been well received by CheckMEND’s extensive footprint of users which include national consumer electronics retailers, international recyclers, traders and the public.

CheckMEND produces real-time history reports based on comprehensive data published into Recipero’s Device Service Bureau by numerous organizations covering mobile networks, retailers, police, insurers, lease providers and the public.

Reports are delivered instantly to aid buying/selling decisions, helping CheckMEND users avoid financial loss, legal implications and hassle that’s often associated with handling devices with questionable backgrounds!

The service doesn’t stop there either; CheckMEND Status Change Alerts are a powerful feature that helps mitigate issues that can occur when a smartphone or other mobile device is reported as lost or stolen after a check is performed!

For more information about CheckMEND’s features, how it creates savings for customers, helps Police provide Safe Trader Schemes, and aids compliance with the Recyclers Code of Practice please visit www.checkmend.com or www.recipero.com

Recipero

Amtel Wireless Minimizes Device Shrink with Recipero’s StockWatch

Dallas TX – April 18th, 2016

Amtel Wireless, T-Mobile’s sixth largest dealer network, today announced that Recipero’s StockWatch Program has produced a better than expected ROI for the Amtel Loss Prevention Group.

Recipero’s StockWatch subscription service enables retailers to monitor their unsold inventory by creating custom alerts from activity from Recipero’s global Device Service Bureau. Recipero’s Device Service Bureau is the industry’s leading provider of stolen and lost device notification, as well as device activation status and history. It manages over 5 million inquires per month from mobile operators, device traders, recyclers, mobile insurance providers and law enforcement agencies.

Amtel’s participation in StockWatch creates awareness that their unsold inventory has been published in the Recipero Device Service Bureau, and is being continuously monitored, so cannot be traded or sold. This helps law enforcement to combat in-store theft, organized crime, and local gang activity.

Tambov, Russian Federation - February 26, 2015 Close up of stack of Apple devices - iPhone 5s, iPad mini and iPad 2. Studio shot.

Robert Sanchez, Director of Amtel Operations/Loss Prevention says:

“StockWatch has completely changed how we look at mobile device monitoring. It has enabled us to change the culture, to enhance our “perception of control” by allowing us to be able to highlight the various tools we use to monitor and detect for theft.  As we plan for future store growth, training new team members about Recipero and StockWatch will become standard operating practice. Knowing that we are actively monitoring each and every IMEI in our system has enabled us to drive home the message – think twice before taking the device.

The StockWatch solution complements Amtel’s existing Audit & Compliance program and is an early warning system. It also works to reduce the value to the fraudster in possession of the device, by reducing its value to the second-hand trader. StockWatch can be used in conjunction with and to supplement existing fraud measures of mobile device dealers.

Sanchez added:

“Within the first 45 days of subscribing to StockWatch , we recovered a batch of iPhones that had been stolen from inventory.” The ROI didn’t just stop after the first 45 days, we are still getting information on devices monitored by StockWatch involved in other investigations. A final point, StockWatch has enabled me to broaden my networking base with other professionals that have resulted in employee dishonesty investigations and other contacts with a great team working mindset. It’s been a great investment!

 David Dillard, Recipero’s Managing Director of the Americas,:

“We are excited that  was able to quickly validate the ROI associated with their StockWatch subscription. Together with partners like Amtel, we continue to mitigate against the theft of unsold inventory.”

Further information:

Amtel: http://myamtel.com/

Recipero StockWatch: Recipero StockWatch

Bicycles, CheckMEND, Crime, Immobilise, Immobilize, NMPR, Police

Christmas is a busy time…for thieves – 10 Crime prevention tips

Christmas brings the busiest shopping weeks of the year and for many retailers often accounts for 70% of their annual revenue. Stocking our homes with the latest electronic gadgets, jewellery and must-have accessories is commonplace, unfortunately though it provides thieves with an increased incentive to commit burglaries.

christmas-burglar-820x2

10 crime prevention tips you shouldn’t ignore…

TIP 1: Deterring would-be criminals is one of the most effective forms of crime prevention. Invest in a motion sensor flood-light or even some outdoor Christmas lights to highlight your home’s exterior. This will hopefully make approaching your home too conspicuous for a burglar. Also, highlighting the fact your possessions are security marked and registered on Immobilise using window decals provide a further warning that your goods are traceable and not worth the risk of stealing!

TIP 2: Festive lighting – be secure. A common mistake of many festive decorators is to feed extension cables through partially open windows, criminals know to look for this vulnerability. When it comes to outdoor lighting, opt for solar or battery operated lights or install outdoor electrical outlets.

TIP 3: Dispose of gift packaging carefully. Refuse collections over the Christmas and New Year period are normally at different times. If you can’t take packaging to a recycling point, make sure you only put your rubbish out just before the collection and do your best to break apart boxes so that they do not advertise your new contents of your home to thieves!

TIP 4: Be careful not to advertise your home to burglars on social media! According to one recent study, social media is a commonly used tool for scouting potential targets. Social media savvy families have a tendency to publish their whereabouts during the holiday season, including any vacation plans. This can let burglars know when your house is going to be empty. Uploaded photos of pricey Christmas gifts can also be a problem as if privacy settings aren’t tied down, it can allow burglars to go shopping just by viewing your Facebook profile.

TIP 5: Check doors and windows for weak spots. Government statistics show that 30% of burglaries happen through windows. Installing a few dead-bolts and new window hinges could increase the security of your home exponentially.

TIP 6: Keep your curtains, drapes and window blinds closed at night, making sure valuable items are out of sight. When going out for the evening make use of inexpensive timers to give the illusion of occupancy, you should also consider leaving a radio on or go further and invest in a Fake TV device to emulate the light given of by at television.

TIP 7: Away over Christmas – plan ahead! If you’re going away at Christmas be sure to cancel newspaper or milk subscriptions. Arrange for a neighbour to park on the driveway to help create the impression someone is home. Don’t leave overly descriptive telephone answering machine messages and again make use of light timers, radios and devices like Fake TV’s.

TIP 8: Secure garages and sheds. Make sure that garden tools or ladders that could be used to force entry into your home are not left lying around or accessible from an unlocked garden shed. Garages are often targets for burglars looking for tools, bikes and gardening equipment – make sure the garage is secure and your possessions are secured too in the case of bikes and tools. Naturally make sure anything portable / valuable is recorded on immobilise.

TIP 9: Don’t hide keys and use alarms if you have them. Burglars know to look for hidden door keys so don’t hide spare keys under rocks, in flowerpots, or above door ledges. Instead give the spare key to family or trusted neighbour. Many houses these days have alarms, many though are rarely set, make sure yours is on and protecting your home when you are away and overnight where possible.

TIP 10: And lastly, don’t forget to register your gifts on Immobilise (www.immobilise.com)! Most gadgets have a unique identification code such as a serial number or for mobile phones an IMEI number – This IMEI number can be found quickly and easily by pressing the following keys on your mobile handset: *#06#. If your gift doesn’t have a unique identifier there are several affordable marking kits available from the Immobilise store allowing the police to easily identify the owners of items they recover and so detect crime.

We hope that you find these tips useful and encourage you to share them with your family, friends and colleagues. As always please remain vigilant and report suspicious activity immediately to the police on 999 if a crime is in progress, 101 in a non-emergency or Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.

CheckMEND, NMPR, Police

BBC One shows CheckMEND helping Cash Converters avoid stolen property

Cashing InBBC One programme “Cashing In”  featured the Recipero CheckMEND solution again last night (05 Aug 2015).

Once again the documentary showed CheckMEND helping Cash Converters avoid stolen property and insurance fraud, providing a great example of how CheckMEND works to identify and target property crime.

Watch it from 47 minutes on BBC iPlayer (available until 03 Sep 2015): www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b05p3fbv/cashing-in-episode-3

To learn more about how CheckMEND works with sister services Immobilise and the Police NMPR as part of the Recipero Crime Reduction Ecosystem go to: recipero.com/crime-reduction-ecosystem