Verizon will soon stop selling unlocked phones in a bid to reduce device theft

[Polycount]

If you've been interested in picking up an unlocked phone through Verizon, now is the time to do it. According to a CNET report, the company will soon be changing their policy, opting to sell their phones locked for a "period of time" after purchase.

The company hopes this move will serve to make their devices less appealing targets in the eyes of device thieves, as they won't be able to effectively resell them on the black market right away.

"We're taking steps to combat this theft and reduce fraud," said Verizon's Executive Vice President of Wireless Operations Tami Erwin in a statement. "These steps will make our phones exponentially less desirable to criminals."

While selling phones locked for varying periods of time following their purchase is standard industry practice, this move will undoubtedly upset many. Changing their policy to mirror what the rest of the industry offers will certainly benefit Verizon but it brings no clear benefit to their customers. Indeed, this change seems to mark a direct service downgrade.

Regardless, for the time being, you'll still be able to take advantage of Verizon's current generous phone unlocking policy as the company won't be rolling out policy changes until sometime in the spring. Verizon also says they will offer more details regarding their plans at a later date before they become a reality.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/73243-verizon-soon-stop-selling-unlocked-phones-bid-reduce.html

 

[treetops]

Psssh this only makes it harder to change carriers....

 

[EClyde]

That ain't the reason

 

[captaincranky]

This is really a simple and, or logic statement, "and/or".

Verizon is protecting customers from theft of their phones. true / false.

Verizon is making it harder to switch carriers.......................true / false

Verizon is protecting customers from theft of their phones, AND, making it harder to switch carriers. true / true or false / false which I think would equal "nor".

Although, at least to a certain extent, ulterior motive and "reasoning", can alter the outcome of a pure logical statement.

 

[p51d007]

LOL, like they won't know how to UNlock them. This is nothing more than locking them down,
to keep you in their little prison. Makes it harder to take it somewhere else.

 

[aspleme]

Really? All other tech sites actually report all elements... Including the fact that Verizon PROMISED NOT TO DO THIS when it purchased spectrum in the 700 Mhz band 10 years ago. And other companies offer unlocking with no hassle as well. But here, Verizon has a generous unlocking policy? Well, we know who sponsors your posts. Even certain sites owned by Verizon aren't reporting with such a biased positive spin.

 

[Rippleman]

I reject Verizon's reasoning behind this move. In case of fraud or theft, blacklisting is the answer. Locking, by design, is made to only hinder carrier switching and carrier switching only.

 

[benefit13]

What. A. Crock.

 

[d00msay3r3]

I ask "how" does locking down a phone make is less desirable to thieves? How does the crook know BEFORE he steals my phone who my carrier is? HMMMMMMMMM?!!?

 

[SirChocula]

I reject Verizon's reasoning behind this move. In case of fraud or theft, blacklisting is the answer. Locking, by design, is made to only hinder carrier switching and carrier switching only.

How are you question a big corporation that only has your best interest at heart?! What will you criticize next? Our government?! /heresy!