You find a great deal on a newer iPhone or Samsung on Facebook Marketplace or Kijiji. The price looks right, the phone looks clean. You meet up, hand over the cash — and a few days later you can't make calls. No data. Your carrier tells you the phone is blacklisted.
This happens more than you'd think. A blacklisted phone is tied to a carrier account that was reported lost, stolen, or has an unpaid balance. Once blacklisted, the IMEI is flagged across all Canadian carriers and the phone becomes essentially useless for calls and data.
The fix is simple: check the IMEI before you buy. Here's how.
What Is an IMEI?
Every phone has a unique 15-digit identifier called an IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity). Think of it like a VIN number for your phone. Carriers use it to blacklist lost, stolen, or fraud-related devices.
To find the IMEI: dial *#06# on the phone — it appears immediately. You can also find it in Settings → About on both iPhone and Android, or printed on the original box.
⚠️ Always check the IMEI on the device itself, not just on the box. A seller could show you a clean box from a different phone.
How to Check for Blacklist Status — Free Tools
What If It's Blacklisted?
Walk away. Seriously. A blacklisted phone in Canada cannot be unblacklisted unless the original owner removes the report — which means either paying off their balance or recovering a stolen device claim. No repair shop, including ours, can unblacklist a phone. Anyone who says they can is lying.
🚫 There is no legitimate service that can remove a blacklisted IMEI in Canada. If a seller claims the blacklist is "removable" or offers to fix it — they're either uninformed or trying to scam you.
Other Things to Check When Buying Privately
- Battery health — Settings → Battery → Battery Health (iPhone). Below 80% means a replacement is due.
- iCloud lock — Make sure no Apple ID is signed in under Settings. (See our full guide on iCloud and FRP checks.)
- Physical damage — Check under a bright light for hairline cracks, water damage indicators (red dot in SIM slot), and camera scratches.
- Test every function — Speakers, microphone, cameras, buttons, touchscreen in all corners.
✅ Shop safe: All phones we sell at Empire Wireless Mobile are IMEI-verified clean, fully tested, and come with a warranty. No guesswork required.
Not Sure About a Phone You Bought?
Bring it in to 876 Danforth Ave. We'll check the IMEI, test all functions, and give you an honest assessment — for free.