Patent ID: 8295812
Filing Date: 2012-10-23
Classification: H04M,H04W

Abstract:
1. Non-transitory computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon, that, when executed by a computing device, facilitate a method of reducing mobile-phone fraud, the method comprising: receiving a request to activate a mobile device; determining that the mobile device is identified as lost or stolen; communicating to the mobile device activation data, which enables the mobile device to communicate via a wireless-telecommunications network despite the fact that the mobile device was determined to be identified as lost or stolen; and communicating to the mobile device functionality-impairment instructions, which, when run on the mobile device, deliberately disable a set of functional aspects of the mobile device thereby transforming the mobile device from a first state to a second state and wherein the second state is functionally impaired as compared to the first state; receiving a request for service; receiving an indication that the mobile device is experiencing issues that stem from the functionality-impairment instructions; confirming that the mobile device is reported as lost or stolen; presenting a notification that the mobile device is reported as lost or stolen; and storing a description of the functional aspects that were disabled, thereby enabling an indication of the description to be presented incident to troubleshooting the mobile device.