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So I found a cell phone lying on the road, I almost ran it over. I picked it up and it was almost fully charged. I tried to figure out the owner but the idiot didn't put a scroll message saying call this number if lost. So can I keep it? If I turn it into some police dept they will just toss it in the garbage. Calling the cell carrier without that IDME... number they can't do shit either. I suppose I could factory wipe it and get the number that way, but I'm sure the owner if found would hate that idea. Update: the phone is back with it's very happy owner. Thanks all for your ideas and moral guidance about getting it back to them.

So I found a cell phone lying on the road, I almost ran it over. I picked it up and it was almost fully charged. I tried to figure out the owner but the idiot didn't put a scroll message saying call this number if lost. So can I keep it? If I turn it into some police dept they will just toss it in the garbage. Calling the cell carrier without that IDME... number they can't do shit either. I suppose I could factory wipe it and get the number that way, but I'm sure the owner if found would hate that idea. Update: the phone is back with it's very happy owner. Thanks all for your ideas and moral guidance about getting it back to them.

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[–] • 3 pts

If the IMEI was reported as lost/stolen, it may not re-activate.

[–] • 1 pt

So that would mean the phone is bricked or can it at least be used as a tethered computer?

[–] • 1 pt

It really depends on how the carrier handles it. Sometimes the IMEI is blacklisted and just won't work on major carriers, other carriers don't even bother reporting it. If it was a cheap enough device, the person may have simply changed their passwords, got a new device and a new SIM, and said fuggedaboutit.

If you don't want to return it, then factory wipe and try a new SIM card. The carrier can still see that IMEI, and may be able to track you down that way, especially if you roam on their network. Do they care? Who knows.

[–] • 1 pt

Wi-Fi only phone, at worst.