CheckESNFree protects cell phone buyers and sellers from fraud

ST. LOUIS, USA: CheckESNFree.com is a website designed to help buyers and sellers of used cell phones and other mobile devices, protect themselves from theft and other fraudulent activity, by providing a free database to validate ESN, MEID, and IMEI numbers.

This database covers phones from most major wireless carriers and also includes devices on the new US and Canadian IMEI Blacklist, (all lost and stolen GSM and LTE phones are added to this list). By using the website, customers will be able to see if a cell phone is "clean" or if it has been registered as stolen, lost, or compromised, due to billing issues.

To check a device's legitimacy, buyers or sellers must ask for the ESN (electronic serial number) and the mobile provider. For some equipment, an IMEI (international mobile equipment identifier) or MEID (mobile equipment identifier) number is used instead.

If buying a phone from an auction site, ask the seller for the required information. If the seller will not provide needed numbers, it is best to move on. Next, go to the CheckESNFree.com home screen and plug in the information.

Results will indicate cleanESN, which means that the device is legitimate and ready to be activated, or show that there is an issue with the ESN. The "Help" section on the website features a full definition list.

CheckESNFree.com also offers 30 free checks per day. However, in an effort to help businesses or individuals who need increased access to the site, paid subscriptions are available. Business and business premium subscribers will gain access to the mass checker that enables users to check up to 25 devices at once, saving a lot of time.