Blacklisting my IMEI number - Vodafone refusing to blacklist it!

[vic_pet]

I am beyond frustrating and banging my head against a brick wall. I have contact Vodafone 10 times, my insurance company More Than 4 times and Apple 3 times. 

My phone was stolen on June 2nd and I requested my network provider block the phone. I provided proof that the SIM was blocked to my insurance company but they require evidence that the IMEI number was also blacklisted. Despite repeated requests, Vodafone are refusing because I purchased the phone direct from Apple - they say its Apple that have to do this. But Apple insist they do not have these capabilities and my insurance company advice me that ONLY my network provider can do this And research on the internet suggests the same thing. Interestingly the insurance company said they get this problem all the time from network providers, with Vodafone being the worst! And that I will just have to keep asking them until someone does it for me. 

If it was over a small amount of money I'd have given up - this just isn't worth the stress. But we are talking about £500!

Does anyone know how the hell I can make Vodafone blacklist my IMEI number? I have run out of options. I might go into an Apple shop (where they are always so helpful) and ask them to get on the phone to Vodafone with me and force them to undestand that only they have the capabilty to block the IMEI.....

Nothing will make me happier at this point than to leave Vodafone, but sadly I am locked down in a contract until October I hate them. 

[Dozer223z]

I've had this same problem, I've just spent about an hour on chat with an advisor refusing to help.

I provided the IMEI as I had that on the box, still the agent refused to help.

After going to and from with the agent I asked to be put through to his manager.

His manager had a look through the chat, had a look through my account, came back to ask a couple of questions and magically managed to see that my IMEI had been used between certain dates and blocked the stolen handset.

I didn't purchase the handset via Vodafone and I think this is the problem. Voodafone have some very weird idea that if they make it hard to block handsets when not purchased via Voda that you'll buy direct from them next time, as to avoid this issue in the future.

Vodafone, this will only make customers leave.

[Umaradam]

Dear Vodafone 

Please help me! I'm stuck in the same situation! My wife's phone was stolen and we can't get insurance to pay out without the IMEI being blacklisted.

[sam_devon]

I too, as well as other forum contributors are having exactly the same issue. I unfortunately dropped my phone in my town's local deep harbour water(ouch!) nearly a month ago, and since then have been on the phone constantly to Vodafone who say - yes provide us with the IMEI and phone details(which I do), and we will blacklist the phone. Phone was not purchased through Vodafone, but I had sim only with Vodafone since May this year. I provide adviser with IMEI details and explain when I started up sim with Vodafone etc. and say they have now blacklisted the phone. I then have to request or fill out a form for proof of blacklisting etc. which takes up to 5 working days. I then see that it says N/A on blacklisting and then I do an IMEI check on a free IMEI checker and it says phone hasn't been blacklisted. I then go back to Vodafone and the whole saga starts again. I say to the adviser is it definitely 100% blacklisted and they say yes, and then lo and behold 5 days later I receive the proof of usage/blacklisting and it says the same thing. I have repeated this process about four times now, in the meantime after my initial enquiry when Vodafone said that my phone was now blacklisted I have told my insurers who are now asking me for a certificate of blacklisting which I can't provide, and I don't think has been done, despite Vodafone on 5 occassions now, saying it has definitely been done...It makes me weep just writing this out, if someone who could help or knows how to get round this issue it would be greatly appreciate it! 

[sam_devon]

I'm having exactly the same issue. I can't believe the hundreds of people on this forum having the same issue too can someone from Vodafone deal with this for me urgently. Thank you. 

[Tash]

Hi @sam_devon - I'm sorry to hear about your phone and that this hasn't been blacklisted for you yet! We can get to the bottom of this and make sure this is completed for you.

So we can do this, please drop us a message on Facebook or Twitter along with your Community username and link to your post (so you won't need to write out your query again). We'll then be able to take your details securely to get this resolved.

[NBYGRAVES84]

This is happening to me know and i am about ready to walk away from vodafone after 20 years. 

having your phone taken is bad enough but now vodafone are refusing to blacklist a phone because it was not bought from them. But more than happy to have their sim in it for a year and take payment every month!!!!

[vishvesh]

I am having kinda same issue my device is lost and that was a exchanged device by barclays as i have broke it before few weeks but actual device was bought from vodafone. The insurance company is ready to give other option as providing letter of refusal but vodafone is able to give email saying "unfortunately we can not blacklist your device because that is not registered with them". I do not know for what reasons but they just have to add one more line into that email for letter of refusal mentioning the reason that is it. But vodafone is been headach as well as insurance company. Do not know what we are paying this companies for. 

[Gemma]

Morning @vishvesh - this shouldn't be made so complicated for you. I'm sorry you've been given this information. I'd like my team to feedback the misadvise you've been given and help further. Please message us on one of our Social Channels.