My cellphone has been stolen, what do I do: How the cellphone blacklist works

TORONTO – In hopes to crack down on the escalating problem of cellphone thefts across the nation, the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association launched a so-called “blacklist” for stolen devices Monday.

The blacklist will store the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number of devices that have been reported lost or stolen as of September 30, preventing them from connecting to Canadian service provider networks.

This means that once a device has been added to the blacklist it will not be able to be activated by a carrier for use – rendering it useless for web browsing, phone calls or texting.

From now on the authorization of any GSM or LTE wireless device on participating Canadian networks will include verification that the device IMEI is not on the blacklist.

CWTA’s carrier partners – including Rogers, Bell and Telus – are all participating in the program. Wind Mobile, which left the CWTA in April, has announced it will also participate in the program indirectly through a partnership with the GSM Association.

Public Mobile devices currently cannot be added to the blacklist because they still use an older network.

The CWTA has also noted that the database will include devices reported missing by U.S. carriers, such as AT&T and T-Mobile, by partnering with the GSMA IMEI database.

My cellphone has been stolen, what do I do?

Users should report a stolen or lost cellphone to their service provider as soon as possible.

Once the device has been reported stolen, the service provider will add the IMEI number to the blacklist; however, the CWTA cautions that it can take up to 48 hours for the IMEI number to be added.

For the lucky few who recover a misplaced or stolen phone, another call to the service provider can have the device removed from the database.

What should I do if I am buying a cellphone from someone online?

The initiative also has steps in place to protect Canadian’s previously-owned mobile devices online or through a private source.

ProtectYourData.ca now offers a tool that allows the user to enter the IMEI number of the device they wish to buy to cross list it with the database, to ensure they are not buying a stolen phone.