Cell phone question - advice needed

[MIB41]

My son came home very upset Friday. While in gym someone had stolen his cell phone and Ipod. They called security but were unsuccessful in finding the culprit. I checked the account to see if they were dumb enough to use it (with the same card in it) but they had not. We cancelled the SIM card and got him a new one for a spare we had. I called my brother-in-law, who sales cellphones and he told me that technically they could trace the phone even with a different SIM card in it, but that was suppose to be only for their own equipment. That ticked me off since this should be available for any customer who owns a phone. Here's my question - Could he be wrong and the cell phone company can be asked by authorities to track the phone or can I call the manufacturer and ask them to do something about it? Surely there can be some way to track this or, at bare minimum, shut it down so no one could ever use it (perhaps by giving them the serial number on the phone). Any help would be appreciated.

[starsky]

there is a way to track the cel phone thru triangulation of the base towers / cell sites. however, you'd have to get their engineering dept involved and they will only do it if law enforcement makes them. other than that, its not worth their trouble. you should be able to call in and report the phone stolen which will block the serial number of the phone so that no one else can use it. that's pretty much all you can do. the police wont even waste their time with trying to find the thief because it's only classified as possession of stolen property. i've been thru the whole cell phone thing-- 10 years from customer service, technician, engineering, and sales. always keep your old phone, that way you wont have to pay full retail because chances are you're still in contract. dont buy insurance, it's a rip off. you still have to pay a deductible. i know, too much info , sorry got carried away!!

[toys2cool]

Yeah i heard only the government could track it ,That sucks and it does happen a lot in gyms

[kryptosmaster]

I hate thieves!
Makes you wonder how much crime there'd be if they brought back archaic laws like chopping off your hand if you're caught stealing?

Rich

[MIB41]

there is a way to track the cel phone thru triangulation of the base towers / cell sites. however, you'd have to get their engineering dept involved and they will only do it if law enforcement makes them. other than that, its not worth their trouble. you should be able to call in and report the phone stolen which will block the serial number of the phone so that no one else can use it. that's pretty much all you can do. the police wont even waste their time with trying to find the thief because it's only classified as possession of stolen property. i've been thru the whole cell phone thing-- 10 years from customer service, technician, engineering, and sales. always keep your old phone, that way you wont have to pay full retail because chances are you're still in contract. dont buy insurance, it's a rip off. you still have to pay a deductible. i know, too much info , sorry got carried away!!

Thanks Starksy! I appreciate your help. If I can't get the authorities to track it then I'll turn in the serial number, so the crook has nothing left to work with.