Phone under contract? Can I switch?

Jillc1129

I have been a customer since Dec.   I am  not happy with  my service.  I am wondering if anyone knows what will happen if I take my phone to straight talk.   Can Verizon do anything to my phone to cause it not to work on another carrier if it's still under a contract?

Weth

Yes, absolutely they will try to make the phone not work for you 

The phones ESN/IMEI/MEID is reported to a central database of blacklisted phones and if the new carrier uses this database to check for blacklisted, as T-mobile and AT&T do, you will not be able to activate on the new carrier.

This is different than unlocking. So it is not a matter of just unlocking it. The electronic identifier of the phone is what is blocked as blacklisted.  While phones must be unlocked now, it is extremely difficult to impossible to get a phone off the blacklist. This is not covered by the unlocking mandate.

So Verizon has ignored the contract you signed and agreed to and is charging above and beyond contracted prices? How is this a surprise to you.

Phones are blacklisted when contract terms are not met and not ETF is paid, the phone is reported lost or stolen, the phone is reported damaged and insurance replacement is given

If you ask how they can do that, the answer is you do not own the phone free and clear yet.

ESN / IMEI / MEID Check (Free) > Swappa