How to Check if a Used Phone Is Stolen — UK IMEI Check Guide (2026)
On this page
- What is an IMEI?
- Step 1: Get the phone's IMEI number
- Step 2: Run the IMEI through checking services
- CheckMEND — the most thorough UK check
- Apple Activation Lock — essential for any iPhone
- Step 3: Watch for red flags
- Step 4: What to do if you've already bought a stolen phone
- How JustTaggit helps with buying and selling used phones
You've found a good deal on a used iPhone on Gumtree — £400, looks mint, seller seems genuine. You hand over the cash, and a week later the phone goes dark. No signal. Your SIM works in another phone, but this one won't connect to any network. You've bought a stolen phone, and there's almost nothing you can do to get your money back.
This plays out every day in the UK. Metropolitan Police data shows over 117,000 phones were stolen in London alone in 2024 — and that's only reported thefts. The good news: a ten-minute IMEI check before you buy would have caught it.
Here's exactly how to check if a used phone is stolen before you hand over any money.
What is an IMEI?
IMEI stands for International Mobile Equipment Identity — it's a unique 15-digit number assigned to every phone that connects to a cellular network. Think of it as the phone's fingerprint. Unlike a phone number (which changes when you switch SIMs), the IMEI stays with the device for life.
When a phone is reported stolen, the network provider adds that IMEI to a blacklist. The phone then can't connect to any UK mobile network, even with a new SIM card. That's why an IMEI check is the most reliable way to spot a stolen handset.
Step 1: Get the phone's IMEI number
You need the IMEI before you can check anything.
On the phone itself (no password needed):
- Dial
*#06#— the IMEI appears on screen instantly. Works on every phone, iPhone or Android. - Check Settings > General > About (iPhone) or Settings > About phone (Android)
- Look under the SIM tray — many phones have the IMEI printed there
Without the phone in hand:
- Check the original box — the IMEI is on the barcode label
- Ask the seller to send a screenshot of the
*#06#screen
If the seller won't give you the IMEI before you buy, walk away. No legitimate seller refuses.
Step 2: Run the IMEI through checking services
| Service | Cost | What it checks | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| CheckMEND | £1.99 per check | UK police databases (NMPR), insurance write-offs, network blacklists, finance agreements | The most comprehensive UK check |
| Apple Activation Lock | Free | Whether the iPhone is still linked to the previous owner's iCloud | Essential for any iPhone purchase |
| Network IMEI check | Free | Whether the IMEI is blacklisted on that specific network | Useful backup — but each network only checks its own list |
CheckMEND — the most thorough UK check
CheckMEND checks against UK police databases (via the National Mobile Phone Register), insurance write-offs, network blacklists, and finance agreements. At £1.99, it's the cheapest insurance you'll ever buy on a £200+ phone. Enter the IMEI, pay, and you get a report instantly.
Apple Activation Lock — essential for any iPhone
Even if the IMEI is clean, an iPhone can be useless if it's still locked to the seller's iCloud account. Activation Lock means the previous owner didn't sign out before selling — and you won't be able to set the phone up at all.
Ask the seller to go to Settings > [Their Name] > Find My and turn it off in front of you. You can also check Activation Lock status before buying via Apple's Check Coverage page using the device's serial number.
Step 3: Watch for red flags
| Red flag | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Seller won't share the IMEI | They know it's blacklisted, or they're not the legitimate owner | Walk away |
| Price way below market value | Stolen phones are priced for a quick sale | Be suspicious; run the check first |
| No original box or proof of purchase | No way to prove ownership if it's later blocked | Ask for any evidence — receipt, email, bank statement |
| iCloud or Google account still signed in | Previous owner hasn't removed their account | Ask them to sign out in front of you before paying |
| Cash only, no online payment | No paper trail | Use a payment method with buyer protection |
Step 4: What to do if you've already bought a stolen phone
- Contact the seller first — it may be a genuine mistake; they may have bought it stolen themselves.
- Report it to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk.
- Contact the network provider — options are limited once a device is blacklisted.
- Check your payment method — credit card over £100 may give you Section 75 protection; debit card payments may qualify for Chargeback.
- Assume the device is unusable on UK networks — a blacklisted IMEI can only be cleared by the original owner who reported it.
How JustTaggit helps with buying and selling used phones
A clean IMEI check is one thing. Proving a phone has always been owned legitimately is another — and that's where keeping records matters.
JustTaggit lets you attach the phone's IMEI, proof of purchase, and CheckMEND report to a QR code on the device. When you sell, the buyer scans and sees the full ownership history — the clean check, original purchase date, where it came from.
- As a buyer: Ask the seller to share their JustTaggit record. Verify ownership before you pay.
- As a seller: A tagged phone with a full history sells faster and for more.
See also: How keeping the original box can boost resale value
Frequently asked questions
What do I do if an IMEI check says stolen but I already bought the phone?
Contact the seller first — it may be a genuine mistake. If they don't help, report it to Action Fraud and contact the network provider. The device may be blocked from all UK networks, so your next step is often to return it to the seller or pursue a chargeback.
Can a phone be blacklisted by mistake?
Yes — network blacklisting errors happen. If your phone suddenly can't make calls, contact your network provider and ask them to check the IMEI. If it's a genuine error, they can correct it. Having your original proof of purchase makes this much easier.
Does *#06# work on all phones?
Yes — *#06# is a universal GSM code that works on virtually every phone, including iPhones, Android phones, and older feature phones. No dial button needed; just type it in and the IMEI appears on screen.
Can a stolen phone still work after a factory reset?
On newer iPhones, no — Activation Lock ties the phone to the original owner's iCloud account even after a full wipe. On Android, Factory Reset Protection (FRP) does the same. A factory reset does not clear these locks, so a stolen phone is largely unusable as anything other than spare parts.
What's the difference between IMEI blacklisted and iCloud locked?
IMEI blacklisted means the phone has been reported lost or stolen to the network — it can't connect to UK mobile networks but may work abroad or on Wi-Fi. iCloud locked means it's still linked to the original owner's Apple ID — it can't be set up or used at all, even on Wi-Fi. A phone can be both.
Do UK police have a public stolen phone database?
Not one you can search directly. Police use the National Mobile Phone Register (NMPR), which is accessible to law enforcement and to CheckMEND. That's why CheckMEND is the closest you'll get to a 'police check' as a regular buyer.