T-Mobile IMNE problem

[billrigsby]

I think IMNE is what the T-Mobile gal told me. Basically here's the long and short of it in early 2016 I bought a S8 unlocked T-Mobile only phone on eBay it was brand new everything was perfect until today. Apparently it is still linked to this other person's account and it is in collections so my phone is shut off, even T-Mobile told me when they transferred my data that it was unlocked but apparently it is not.

I sent an email to the person I bought it from to see if the bill would be paid but I'm not going to hold my breath, my other option is to get another phone and pay out the nose. But I was thinking I may have a third option let me know if this will work.

If I was to root my phone I think that is the proper term would that alleviate this issue or not, I've read a lot of things about doing this and making a phone inoperable but at this point I have nothing to lose.

Just looking for some guidance right now I have a work cell phone that's keeping me going and I've got until the 19th to either port my number to another carrier, or Magic Jack or something, get another phone or do something so I don't lose that number.


Thank you, Bill

 

[n0tall0wed]

If they stopped paying for it then even if you root it it will still be blocked. You could try to take it to Att or Cricket and see if it will work with them. Otherwise it's get another phone.

 

[mikedt]

It's the IMEI that's been blacklisted for non-payment. If you or the other person can't resolve the outstanding debt with the carrier, there's not a lot else you can do. It's pretty much impossible to change a phone's IMEI, and is illegal to do so as well in many countries and jurisdictions.