If you want to be sure that the mobile phone you are about to buy isn't stolen read about this IMEI blacklist

All UK networks and some international networks (from 32 countries currently) register stolen mobiles with CheckMEND.

You can now check if a phone you are buying on eBay has been stolen. All you need is the IMEI - so ask the seller for it.

Sellers can check too...

This way every buyer can see your phone is genuine - you'll probably get more bids. If you sell in bulk you can get a discounted rate.

Why check?

If a phone is stolen and the IMEI number apears on the CheckMEND database then you aren't going to be able to use it. Network operators can bar phones and sometimes disable them remotely.

What does it cost?

£2.99 for a credit card payment and search online with printable certificate.

or

£3.00 for a text message check (only available in the UK)

Sellers with a lot of phones to check can get rates as low as £1.00 per phone.

The website you need is checkmend.com or recipero.com - sorry no link (they aren't allowed in guides)

Hope this helps prevent some people from landing themselves with a stolen phone as I did once.