Hotlined. Everythings disabled - Have any of you "hackers" found a solution yet?

[corey.lovelace]

9592

9589 So Jan 31st has passed and mine is still currently functioning as normal.....im a little surprised.

Keeping my fingers crossed for you!!! Please let us know if you are still up tomorrow, as I read that all Note 7 that were still active for whatever reason will be terminated today. I hope you are a survivor without

9592

9589 So Jan 31st has passed and mine is still currently functioning as normal.....im a little surprised.

Keeping my fingers crossed for you!!! Please let us know if you are still up tomorrow, as I read that all Note 7 that were still active for whatever reason will be terminated today. I hope you are a survivor without having to do anything!

It lives to see another day! So far so good!

[RebelR]

9659

9592

9589 So Jan 31st has passed and mine is still currently functioning as normal.....im a little surprised.

Keeping my fingers crossed for you!!! Please let us know if you are still up tomorrow, as I read that all Note 7 that were still active for whatever reason will be terminated today. I hope you are a survivor without

9592
Keeping my fingers crossed for you!!! Please let us know if you are still up tomorrow, as I read that all Note 7 that were still active for whatever reason will be terminated today. I hope you are a survivor without having to do anything!

It lives to see another day! So far so good!

Both of ours is still fully functional too! My wife's date was the 27th & mine was the 31st. We haven't done anything other than Install the 1st shield. I have also called Verizon several times letting them know my feelings on the whole situation... But, don't know if that has anything to do with it or not. Will let you guys know if anything changes!

[juliesdroidsync]

9661

9659

9592
Keeping my fingers crossed for you!!! Please let us know if you are still up tomorrow, as I read that all Note 7 that were still active for whatever reason will be terminated today. I hope you are a survivor without

It lives to see another day! So far so good!

Both of ours is still fully functional too! My wife's date was the 27th & mine was the 31st. We haven't done anything other than Install the 1st shield. I have also called Verizon several times letting them know my feelings on the whole situation... But, don't know if that has anything to do with it or not. Will let you guys know if anything changes!

Please keep us updated; your situation is unique in that you HAVE been on Verizon's radar (like me... LOL) by calling and griping. I've been leaning toward that those that haven't been shut off are an anomaly (after discussing it with some gal smarter than I!!! ) and those that may not have been turned off have just managed to stay under the radar... but you haven't stayed under the radar, so it's really interesting!!

[Global1]

Hotlining around the world is straightforward - it uses a process that the Carriers have agreed upon to block 'Lost' or 'Stolen' mobile-devices based upon their unique IMEI-identifier (the IMEI is similar to the VIN on a motor-vehicle which is why, in many jurisdictions, it is illegal to modify a mobile-device's IMEI.)

Your Carrier, or another Carrier adds the IMEI to a 'Blacklist' maintained by the Carrier.
The Carrier's Network Mobile-device authentication software checks the IMEI as part of establishing the connection between the Mobile-device and the Carrier-Network when the Mobile-deice is turned ON or RE-BOOTED as a first step in connecting.

If the Mobile-device is on the 'Blacklist', the Carrier will normally switch the outgoing Caller to a recorded message that notifies the Caller that 'this handset is unable to connect to this Network -AND- possibly then refers the Caller to contact the Carrier's customer support team for more information". The call attempt is then abandoned within the Carrier-Network.

Inbound calls are checked by the Carrier against the 'Blacklist' and (in the case of my Australian Carrier) if the Mobile-device is on the 'Blacklist' the Carrier may switch the Caller to a SMS message facility that offers the Caller a 10-second voice-to-text-message option that is then turned into a text message that is sent over the Carrier's Network to the 'Blacklisted' device.
If the Caller leaves no message, the SMS identifies the Caller by Calling-service-number and states that "no message was left" and if the Caller does leave a message, the SMS still identifies the Caller by Calling-service-number and adds the 10-seconds worth of converted text.

It is the handling of the registration process for EVERY mobile-device as it attempts to establish a valid connection within the Carrier's Network that makes an IMEI-block so effective and impossible to thwart unless the IMEI is changed. Changing the IMEI is a technically tedious process and the Carrier can also check other data within the Connection establishment process that may identify a Note 7 and alert the Network management staff to an IMEI change.

There appear to be two issues with this approach in the case of the Note 7 debacle:

1. The IMEI-block is intended to block 'Lost' or 'Stolen' mobile-devices and that is a legitimate use of this very effective process.

The 'Blacklisting' of a mobile-device that is neither 'Lost' nor 'Stolen' by a Carrier when the device is clearly 'NOT lost' and 'NOT stolen' is a potential abuse of the IMEI-block system. An item-of-property is generally considered under the criminal code to not-be-stolen where it has been provided by the original owner to the new user on loan, trial, lease, rental or outright purchase. The original owner may still have a claim over the item-of-property under a civil law and ownership would need to be tested in a Court having competent jurisdiction over the dispute and a judgement delivered in favour of the original owner in order for the original owner to commence a CIVIL recovery action. It may that such action would justify the placement of the item-of-property on a 'Blacklist' under the terms of a specific Court-ruling where the IMEI would be identified during the Court hearing.

Imagine what would happen if a gear-box design fault caused a life-threatening issue in which the gear-box could lock-up and cause a following concrete-delivery truck to crash into that vehicle killing the occupants -AND- ALL motor-vehicle registration authorities were required to immediately invalidate the registration of ALL vehicles fitted with that gear-box design!!! This IMEI-block could be setting a dangerous precedent.

2. Certain Carrier Networks appear to operate with the expectation that the operation of a Note 7 mobile-device gives that Carrier the right to suspend normal operation of the Subscriber-line-number service at ALL times and this may be enforced within the Network's subscriber-line-number management system, and in some cases it appears that the SIM-card is updated to become unusable.

Verizon customer support representatives do have the ability to lift the restrictions when the Subscriber calls to advise that the offending Note 7 will no longer be directly connected to the Carrier's Network and a new SIM may be issued.

As a consequence of IMEI-checking occurring whenever a mobile-device attempts to connect to the Carrier's Network, any subsequent use of the SIM-card (once authenticated) in a Note 7 may result in the Subscriber-line-number and SIM card being once again restricted, so the direct use of a Note 7 for any reason, including a short-term test, should be avoided.

I am not legally qualified and the laws and regulations vary considerably between jurisdictions so my explanation may need to be tested and verified for your Jurisdiction through a Carrier technical expert and a qualified lawyer in your Jurisdiction...

[corey.lovelace]

9662

9661

9659

It lives to see another day! So far so good!

Both of ours is still fully functional too! My wife's date was the 27th & mine was the 31st. We haven't done anything other than Install the 1st shield. I have also called Verizon several times letting them know my feelings on the whole situation... But, don't know if that has anything to do with it or not. Will let you guys know if anything changes!

Please keep us updated; your situation is unique in that you HAVE been on Verizon's radar (like me... LOL) by calling and griping. I've been leaning toward that those that haven't been shut off are an anomaly (after discussing it with some gal smarter than I!!! ) and those that may not have been turned off have just managed to stay under the radar... but you haven't stayed under the radar, so it's really interesting!!

Im in the same boat. I too have had previous contacts with verizon through chat sessions. (A few wks ago upon receiving the return box)...so they are well aware of my unwillingness to comply. Who knows what's going on. I did express that I am unwilling to upgrade at least until the s8 comes out but no deal or terms were discussed. As of now I will remain silent...if I somehow got "overlooked," I'd like to remain overlooked!!! LOL

[tim.hayes]

If you need anyone else for testing the Verizon N7, I've got one. Although my carrier is now ATT, I am not sure if I should try using it. So I dont want to risk it.

[Teegunn]

My note 7 was hotlined last friday. Since I was travelling a 1000 miles from home in very bad weather, I called and complained and told them that I absolutely HAD to have Note 7 working again, immediately. It was back up running as normal 5 minutes later. It is still working, I expected it to be hotlined again midnight of the 31st. I had even put my sim from my N7 into my Note 4 so that my sim did not get blacklisted. But my Note 4 was working so poorly... texts not sending, etc, I thought WTH lets put the sim back into my N7 and see if it works. It did and it still is.

I had already ordered a used (very good condition) S7 Edge to replace my N7 until the S8 or Note 8 were available. So I will have the S7 Edge here tomorrow as it is enroute via USPS. So I have a N7 replacement ready, but figure I will ride out my N7 until they do hotline it again. I figure it could happen anytime... but who knows, maybe since I called and made them take it off hotline last week it has been put onto the back burner and will slip by for a while longer. For now, I am using it as normal. Although posting about it probably jinxed me, lol.

[medmike]

Still alive...normal family account...

[medmike]

Anyone else still alive?

[Global1]

Thanks for sharing your recent experience Teegunn - it acts as a beacon of hope to others.

Based upon recent member comments, it may that Verizon now recognises that whilst it can impose a 100% IMEI-block on DIRECTLY-connected Note 7s that use of the Verizon Network, the effective and lawful work-around for INDIRECTLY-connected Note 7s mean that it is no longer appropriate for Verizon to impose the IMEI-block on Note 7 connections that have not already been blocked as it is simply frustrating to subscribers and users and ties up customer support services in explaining the block and then unblocking upon reasonable request.

There is also the very real loss to Verizon of subscribers who have voted by transferring their service to another available Carrier that is not blocking services to Note 7 devices.

As I noted in post #34 above:

"Verizon customer support representatives do have the ability to lift the restrictions when the Subscriber calls to advise that the offending Note 7 will no longer be directly connected to the Carrier's Network and a new SIM may be issued.

As a consequence of IMEI-checking occurring whenever a mobile-device attempts to connect to the Carrier's Network, any subsequent use of the SIM-card (once authenticated) in a Note 7 may result in the Subscriber-line-number and SIM card being once again restricted, so the direct use of a Note 7 for any reason, including a short-term test, should be avoided."

In your situation Teegunn, I would continue to use my Note 7 until hotlined and (if that should occur) immediately contact Verizon, tell the customer support team that I now have a S7-Edge and request a lifting of all restrictions on my Account, line-number and SIM as necessary -AND- I would not directly reconnect the Note 7 under any circumstances. Holding on to the Note 7 until the updated Samsung position on warranty-replacement of the remaining Note 7 devices is announced, most likely when the S8 is launched is then a very appropriate action.

I'd welcome feedback on this topic from other Note 7 users who are still able to connect to the Verizon Network via my PM for your privacy as there is a clear picture developing based upon the many Members who are providing status updates...

[Teegunn]

That's good advice, Global. I do have a problem however - I got another text from Samsung today saying I had 5 days to return my Note 7 or they would charge me full price. I have gotten these texts weekly for the last few months up until a couple weeks ago. I am thinking that Verizon may be worried about liability issues where if they disconnect/hotline someones Note 7 where, like in my case last week where I was in a truly dangerous situation driving in a very bad snow storm, had I not been able to use my phone because they hotlined me, VZ may feel they could be at some legal liability. So it may be they will not hotline my note 7, but instead just charge me full price hoping that will force me to return. This is obviously just conjecture, but I find it odd that I have yet to be hotlined again while most others have been.

I have to think about if I am going to keep using my Note 7 or just set up the S7 edge and make that my daily driver once the S7 edge arrives tomorrow. I love my Note 7 and of course it is set up exactly how I like it, and it will take many hours to set up the new S7 Edge to be the same as my N7, so I have not yet decided if I will continue to use my N7 or just move over to the S7 Edge. Part of me wants to move over just to be done with the hassle.

[juliesdroidsync]

9721 That's good advice, Global. I do have a problem however - I got another text from Samsung today saying I had 5 days to return my Note 7 or they would charge me full price. I have gotten these texts weekly for the last few months up until a couple weeks ago. I am thinking that Verizon may be worried about liability issues where if they disconnect/hotline someones Note 7 where, like in my case last week where I was in a truly dangerous situation driving in a very bad snow storm, had I not been able to use my phone because they hotlined me, VZ may feel they could be at some legal liability. So it may be they will not hotline my note 7, but instead just charge me full price hoping that will force me to return. This is obviously just conjecture, but I find it odd that I have yet to be hotlined again while most others have been.

I have to think about if I am going to keep using my Note 7 or just set up the S7 edge and make that my daily driver once the S7 edge arrives tomorrow. I love my Note 7 and of course it is set up exactly how I like it, and it will take many hours to set up the new S7 Edge to be the same as my N7, so I have not yet decided if I will continue to use my N7 or just move over to the S7 Edge. Part of me wants to move over just to be done with the hassle.

Actually, I'd TEST that theory, but that's just me. What are they going to do? Send you out back to pick a switch to tan your hide with??? Dress up as clowns (Lord, I hate clowns...) and walk around your house at night, peeping into the windows???

All they can do is shut you off again. Then you get turned back on again, with your S7 Edge, and promise to be a good little boy.

What I'd like to see is Verizon tell you they won't turn you back on unless you turn in your Note 7!

They're getting away with telling people that with the prepaid service, but I think it's not unreasonable to surmise that it's a whole new ballgame with someone that has a normal monthly plan... I have 3 other lines on my account. Are they going to cut service to them as well? My husband is a part-time POLICE OFFICER!!! Are they going to cut service to HIS phone? Because in a rural area, your phone has better access than radios in some areas...

Any action like that could be, *IMO*, tasty lawsuit fodder a lawyer might actually be able to get their teeth into... Especially if your phone is paid off, but probably even if it's not, as seems to be your case.

[Teegunn]

9729

9721 That's good advice, Global. I do have a problem however - I got another text from Samsung today saying I had 5 days to return my Note 7 or they would charge me full price. I have gotten these texts weekly for the last few months up until a couple weeks ago. I am thinking that Verizon may be worried about liability issues where if they disconnect/hotline someones Note 7 where, like in my case last week where I was in a truly dangerous situation driving in a very bad snow storm, had I not been able to use my phone because they hotlined me, VZ may feel they could be at some legal liability. So it may be they will not hotline my note 7, but instead just charge me full price hoping that will force me to return. This is obviously just conjecture, but I find it odd that I have yet to be hotlined again while most others have been.

I have to think about if I am going to keep using my Note 7 or just set up the S7 edge and make that my daily driver once the S7 edge arrives tomorrow. I love my Note 7 and of course it is set up exactly how I like it, and it will take many hours to set up the new S7 Edge to be the same as my N7, so I have not yet decided if I will continue to use my N7 or just move over to the S7 Edge. Part of me wants to move over just to be done with the hassle.

Actually, I'd TEST that theory, but that's just me. What are they going to do? Send you out back to pick a switch to tan your hide with??? Dress up as clowns (Lord, I hate clowns...) and walk around your house at night, peeping into the windows???

All they can do is shut you off again. Then you get turned back on again, with your S7 Edge, and promise to be a good little boy.

What I'd like to see is Verizon tell you they won't turn you back on unless you turn in your Note 7!

They're getting away with telling people that with the prepaid service, but I think it's not unreasonable to surmise that it's a whole new ballgame with someone that has a normal monthly plan... I have 3 other lines on my account. Are they going to cut service to them as well? My husband is a part-time POLICE OFFICER!!! Are they going to cut service to HIS phone? Because in a rural area, your phone has better access than radios in some areas...

Any action like that could be, *IMO*, tasty lawsuit fodder a lawyer might actually be able to get their teeth into... Especially if your phone is paid off, but probably even if it's not, as seems to be your case.

My only concern is getting charged full price on my Verizon account if I don't turn in my Note 7. Not worried about anything else. And I can delay this by telling them I don't have any way to return the phone since there isn't a corp verizon store within an hour of me. I live in the mountains and trucks can't deliver a box to my house up my drive (2' of snow on the drive right now). I mean I could probably delay sending back for a long time (already have). But if they just go ahead and charge my account? Don't want to get stuck paying $900 for a blacklisted phone. And they probably will hotline it again anyway. But yeah, I should probably just wait to activate my S7 Edge until I absolutely have to either turn in my N7 or they hotlined it and won't reactivate it. I also have several lines on my account, do they want to lose me as a customer? And a long time premium (my bill is over $300 a month) at that??
t

[Teegunn]

I gotta say though - after already being hotlined last friday, and getting the hotline reversed in a 5 minute phone call, but expecting to be hotlined again this past tuesday night at midnight.... it is really damn nice to be able to still be using my N7. I am yet again probably jinxing this and karma will mean they hotline me at midnight tonight, but I am very surprised and very happy that my N7 is still able to be my daily driver phone. Yeah, I will have an S7 Edge sometime tomorrow when it arrives, but only because I got it at a really good deal and because I figured that as of midnight Feb 1st my N7 would for sure be unusable. These last two days using my N7 feel like some kind of minor miracle all things considered, lol.

[juliesdroidsync]

9735 My only concern is getting charged full price on my Verizon account if I don't turn in my Note 7. Not worried about anything else. And I can delay this by telling them I don't have any way to return the phone since there isn't a corp verizon store within an hour of me. I live in the mountains and trucks can't deliver a box to my house up my drive (2' of snow on the drive right now). I mean I could probably delay sending back for a long time (already have). But if they just go ahead and charge my account? Don't want to get stuck paying $900 for a blacklisted phone. And they probably will hotline it again anyway. But yeah, I should probably just wait to activate my S7 Edge until I absolutely have to either turn in my N7 or they hotlined it and won't reactivate it. I also have several lines on my account, do they want to lose me as a customer? And a long time premium (my bill is over $300 a month) at that??

Good questions, all... I'm a 10-year, 4 line customer, probably have given them, what? $30,000 with phones and accessories? I guess at the point they ACTUALLY put it on your bill... then you could consider returning it, and they will take it right back off your bill... The other option is to hang Verizon out for about a month after they put it on your bill, *then* pay the $900 with a CC, and then dispute the amount with your credit card company, telling them you did it under duress, that you had a payment contract they cancelled w/o cause, etc. Whoa... that will screw them up. Because then Verizon will have to RESPOND in writing if there is no resolution via a phone call, which Verizon probably won't be prepared to make... No, it will likely get dropped off your CC and they and Verizon will battle that out, but it buys you 60 days at least, in addition to whatever other delays you can add... horrific snow and all That's what I'm probably going to do if they ever actually bill me... Because I am willing to pay, but I do think there should be some kind of a discount... I'm thinking maybe... 50%. Everyone is different. Some people on this forum think they should get a free Ferrari or at least a full length Mink coat because of the hassle... anyway, just a thought. They're just bullying all of us. Again, anything that goes on your bill can come off just as fast as it went on... and I just hate to see them winning by bullying us...