Sprint ESN issue- HELP PLEASE!

[ali.fazal]

So I bought a Blackberry Curve 9330 from a guy off Craigslist a few months back. I ensured the ESN was clean with Sprint, purchased the phone and activated it with no issues.

Exactly one week ago (Feb 28, Saturday), I thought it would be interesting to try out my old Palm Pre for a week and see how it felt. I hated it. Anyway, yesterday, I tried to switch back to the Blackberry.

I was told by Sprint customer case that the ESN was flagged and that the phone was reported lost or stolen.

I then spend several hours on the phone with people explaining that the phone was obviously not reported lost or stolen since I have it in my possession and I didn't report it (I don't even have Sprint insurance so reporting it would do me no good anyway).

I spoke to about 5 reps and a supervisor, and got transferred to the fraud department and Assurion (the insurance company).

The Sprint fraud department says that there's nothing they can do since Assurion flagged it and they can't remove the hold on the ESN.

I called Assurion and they said that they're only responsible for filing claims and can't remove the flag off an ESN. I get the feeling that they're basically bouncing me back to each other.

Everybody has basically told me that I'm in essence screwed since I bought the phone from a third-party and not from Sprint. I tried contacting the Craigslist guy but his phone is disconnected.

I've asked them repeatedly HOW I was able to activate a supposedly stolen phone in the first place and use it for 3 months (I was under the impression that stolen phones had dirty ESNs and couldn't be activated, a fact I would have realized before purchasing the phone), and they keep saying that this sometimes happens, where Assurion follows up on a claim months after the fact and then flags it, so essentially having a clean ESN while activating doesn't mean the phone isn't lost or stolen. I have a feeling the guy who sold me the phone reported it stolen so he could get another one.

It's super confusing, and all I want to do is use the phone that I was using with no problems 7 days ago.

Any suggestions/tips/ideas?!?

I've spoken with pretty much every department at Sprint. I haven't gotten anywhere.

[rdiddy_25]

Sounds like the guy u bought the phone from submitted an insurance claim on ur phone after selling it to you. The esn was clean when u activated it but then a claim was made on ut later. That happens all the time and ur pretty much screwed now. Sprint won't clear the esn and assurion won't either. Sorry. That's why buying phones off craigslist are risky, no way to check someones feedback and no protection from fraud like u get with paypal. My suggestion is to sell it as is with bad esn and take the money u get towards another device, but get it from someone here or ebay. Good luck

P.S. Don't try to take the phone to a sprint store, they will confiscate it bc its flagged as stolen.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[danisnotstan]

That sucks... Not to mention that you're probably being charged the extra $10/mo now for swapping ESN's! I have bought several phones from Craigslist, and I've always called Sprint to make sure the ESN is clear... Interestingly, they have told me that they can't check if the phone is stolen, all they can tell me is if the phone is clear for activation (aka not active on someones account, and not in bad standing/balance owed). In your situation, it sounds like someone may have reported it stolen right after you activated it (the guy who sold it to you obviously stole it if that's the case). This still doesn't make sense as once the phone is active on your account it belongs to you and I don't see how someone else can report it stolen at that point. I suggest trying to activate it again... You never know... Sprint is notorious for having misinformation. Have you tried activating it online without calling them? If that doesn't work and if you need another BlackBerry on the cheap I suggest trying to get a refurbished Tour from Sprint. Its $80 and while they do make you extend your contract, they say that it doesn't affect your upgrade status. Good luck.

P.S. If you have to sell the Curve, I would advertise is as needing to be flashed to Cricket or something so you get more $ for it.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[Snipperdo17]

I was told that once the phone has been activated on your account, the phone is no longer connected to the previous owner's account and shouldn't be able to be marked lost/stolen. I had a similar situation where I couldn't activate it again after I already had it activated, and a week later I called again and they were able to activate it. Not exactly sure why or how they were able to this time but I won't complain. I would say wait a few days and try again.

[computertekguy]

Keep trying, you'll have to get someone to work with you on the situation. Contacting the cancellation department and talking to them nicely might get you were you need to go with this. I've seen people who fought and lost, other get this done with one phone call.