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How to Check a Phone Is Genuine Before You Buy

Counterfeit, refurbished-as-new and blacklisted phones are sold every day. A few minutes of checking protects your money.

Find the IMEI

Dial *#06# on the phone to show its IMEI number. Dual-SIM phones have two. You can also find it in the phone's settings under About.

Match it everywhere

The IMEI on the screen should match the one printed on the box and on the invoice. A mismatch is a warning sign.

Check with the Government's Know Your Mobile service

The Department of Telecommunications' Sanchar Saathi service lets you check a handset's IMEI status. Send an SMS "KYM <15-digit IMEI>" to 14422, or use the Know Your Mobile option on the Sanchar Saathi website, to see whether the IMEI is valid or reported.

Inspect the phone

  • Software and settings show the correct model and storage
  • Build quality, buttons and ports feel right
  • The phone isn't locked to someone else's account
  • The seal and accessories match a new phone, if sold as new

Buy from a seller

Insist on a proper invoice with the IMEI and the seller's details. A seller with a permanent store ID is accountable if something is wrong.

In short

Match the IMEI on the phone, box and invoice, check it with Know Your Mobile, and buy only from a seller you can verify.

Next step

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