CheckESNFree Releases Free Service To Protect Users From Cell Phone Fraud

ST. LOUIS, Nov. 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- CheckESNFree.com provides mobile device users a way to protect themselves against fraudulent activity tied to cell phones they plan to purchase or sell. The company's website, http://www.CheckESNFree.com, which is free to access, features a database covering most cell phones and providers across the U.S. and Canada. This database checks the history of a mobile phone (through the phone's various serial and identification numbers), to make sure the device wasn't reported lost, stolen, or couldn't be activated as a result of a billing issue. Cell phone theft in North America has increased drastically, to the point that it's been dubbed an epidemic. CheckESNFree aims to provide cell phone users with the knowledge needed to remain protected from this growing trend.

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This past summer, law enforcement officials from coast to coast met with U.S. smartphone companies in what's been dubbed the "Smartphone Summit," to discuss ways to curb the spike in cell phone thefts. In San Francisco, more than half of robberies involve a cell phone, while nationwide, nearly 1 in every 3 robberies involves the theft of a mobile device. "The theft of handheld devices is the fastest growing street crime," New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said in a released statement leading up to the summit. These stolen phones often appear for sale online at sites such as Craigslist and eBay. Their discounted prices are attractive to would-be buyers who are completely unaware that they were stolen or reported lost.

These days, new cell phone models are released yearly, meaning a used phone might only be a few months old. As a result, many people choose to buy used models rather than far more expensive off-the-shelf models. And while not every used mobile device is tied to fraudulent behavior, individuals put themselves at greater risk when they choose a used model over a more expensive newer model.

But CheckESNFree aims to change that by releasing their free online service. All a user needs to know is the phone's serial number, which is labeled either as an ESN, MEID IMEI, as well as the mobile provider. These numbers can be easily found by removing the phone battery or, in the case of an iPhone, by scrolling into the phone's About settings. If a seller is not willing to provide that information, the buyer should take that as a sign of potential fraudulent behavior and walk away.

Once the information is entered into the CheckESNFree database, the results are quick and simple to understand. With the click of a button a user will know whether the phone is ready to be activated or is tied to some type of fraudulent behavior, be it stolen, lost, or connected to unpaid bills.

As the use and reliance on mobile and smart devices increases, so too is the potential of theft. It's important that all mobile device users record the model, serial number and other identifying labels of their device in case it's lost or stolen. Anyone looking to buy a used device should access the CheckESNFree database as a form of protection and to help end this national epidemic. Find out more from this company video on YouTube.

About CheckESNFree
CheckESNFree has been in operation since 2009, providing protection against mobile device fraud. Their services have helped not only cell phone users but also wireless providers, sellers, law enforcement and more, with their comprehensive database that covers most cell phone provides across North America.

To learn more about CheckESNFree, please contact

Shane Lyberger
CheckESNFree.com
855-376-2432
[email protected]

SOURCE CheckESNFree