Why can't Vodaphone blacklist my stolen phone?

[User2412]

I bought my phone from mobiles.co.uk with a Vodafone contract. Now my phone is lost or stolen (probably stolen) and Vodafone will not blacklist it because it isn't registered with them despite having billed me for it for two years!!! They say mobiles.co.uk must do this. Mobiles say they cannot do this as they are not an ISP and do not have network access. When I explained this they said I must call the police. Ridiculous! A quick search shows hundreds, maybe thousands of Vodafone customers have the same problem. How can Vodafone be so incompetent. Words fail me. Well not quite.

[AnnS]

Hi @User2412 

providing you have used a Vodafone SIM in the phone in the last 30 days there shouldn't be any problem with the network IMEI blocking the phone.

Speak to the Social Team here, at least they will know what they are doing: Contact Us 

[BandOfBrothers]

Only a network can blacklist a phones imei number @User2412 so if its been used on Vodafone UK then they should be able to.

Have a word with the Vodafone Social Media Team's via Contact-us-for-account-specific-queries. 

I assume they've blocked the sim card which needs doing.

When Vodafone send you a new sim you will need to re contact Vodafone to have that block lifted so you can use the new sim.

For insurance purposes you will need a crime number from the police which is what the agent from Vodafone may mean.

Your phone may have a findmyphone type of feature where you can also lock and remote erase the phone if its still turned On.

Change your passwords just in case the person now who has the phone has managed to gain access.

I wish you all the best with this. 

[User2412]

I bought my phone from mobiles.co.uk with a Vodafone contract. Now my phone is lost or stolen (probably stolen) and Vodafone will not blacklist it because it isn't registered with them despite having billed me for it for two years!!! They say mobiles.co.uk must do this. Mobiles say they cannot do this as they are not an ISP and do not have network access. When I explained this they said I must call the police. Ridiculous! A quick search shows hundreds, maybe thousands of Vodafone customers have the same problem. How can Vodafone be so incompetent. Words fail me. Well not quite.

[hrym]

This is an ongoing sore point, I'm afraid - it's not as if Customer Services havent't been reminded several times.   The fact is the network can, and should, block your IMEI.   Drop the Social Media Team and note on Facebook or Twitter and they'll be able to get this done for you.