iPhones stolen in the London Riots will be useless within 48 hours, reports MacWorld.
Speaking to several networks, the site learned that the stolen handsets can be easily blocked.
Once they have examined their stock records, store owners will be able to report the hardwired IMEI numbers for each lost handset which will result in networks adding them to their Equipment Identity Register (EIR), which will stop them working with any SIM within 24 hours. The networks will in turn add their EIR list to the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR), a central database of IMEI numbers accessible by all major networks. That will turn off their use on any UK network within 48 hours.
Unfortunately, this may not be a problem for the thieves but rather for the individuals who innocently purchased a 'used' device. Beware of any deals too good to be true.
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Speaking to several networks, the site learned that the stolen handsets can be easily blocked.
Once they have examined their stock records, store owners will be able to report the hardwired IMEI numbers for each lost handset which will result in networks adding them to their Equipment Identity Register (EIR), which will stop them working with any SIM within 24 hours. The networks will in turn add their EIR list to the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR), a central database of IMEI numbers accessible by all major networks. That will turn off their use on any UK network within 48 hours.
Unfortunately, this may not be a problem for the thieves but rather for the individuals who innocently purchased a 'used' device. Beware of any deals too good to be true.
Read More