Egremont wrote:
I ordered a small amount of TV stuff from good old Screwfix which came
yesterday.

My first suprise was a (big) extra box containing an electric tile cutter
which I hadn't ordered. I told Screwfix , they're collecting later and
kindly let me have 10 quid for my trouble. But my biggest suprise was yet to
come...

I opened the box with the TV bits and bobs to find a shiny 3G mobile phone
looking me in the eye. It was over the inner divider bit, not amongst the
bought stuff. It looks new and is a currently available model, value over
£300, though unboxed with no charger. You would think it probably came from
the Screwfix warehouse however there was a hole in the box big enough for it
to have got in (somehow) in transit. I told Screwfix, after some
deliberation they rang back and suggested that, because they have no way of
tracking it, that I deal with it 'at my discretion'.

I looked up instructions on the net but so far haven't been able to get into
it to see if it has an owner or even a SIMM card or whatever (it does look
new), it might be dead or locked (it only illuminates briefly when you hit
the 'photo button). I don't know if anyone like a phone shop would be able
to crack it open.

Any ideas what I should do?. At the moment I'm thinking of dropping into my
local constabulary for advice. I could just send it back to Screwfix but
then maybe I wouldn't get to keep it if there is no traceable owner.

Thanks,
Egremont.

The phone will have an IMEI number. This uniquely identifies the
handset, and allows UK operators to refuse network access to the phone
should the owner report it stolen. The SIM inside will also have a
number on it, again, a unique number. The SIM should also have a
network operator logo on it, which should let you know which network to
contact.

If there is no SIM inside the phone, then that sounds very suspicious.
A phone falling out someone's pocket would have a SIM in it - a phone
which doesn't sounds like it's been placed there for some reason (trying
to get rid of stolen goods???). Without the charger etc, it's a bit of
a useless item.

I would do the following:

1.) Locate SIM and contact network operator informing them of the SIM
number. This will allow them to find the account holder for the SIM/phone.
2.) If no SIM, then contact the police informing them of the situation
and the IMEI. As with most items handed in to the police, you should be
able to keep it if no-one collects it after a while.

If you try to sell on the phone without doing these, you run the risk of
it being barred by the original owner and then the purchaser coming back
to you.

Do the right thing - if this was your phone that someone found, it would
be nice if they did a few simple things to try and return it to you.
See
http://groups.google.com/group/uk.te...642e662351155b

Thanks

D