Mobile phone recycling comparison site supports use of stolen handset database

Mobile phone comparison site MobileMagpie.co.uk has voiced its support for a new deal between the Government and Mobile Phone Recycling companies, to stop an estimated 100,000 stolen mobile phones being recycled.

The UK's Crime Prevention Minister James Brokenshire has announced the agreement, which aims to close a loophole which sees thousands of phones sold to recyclers each year.

90 per cent of handsets reported stolen in the UK are currently blocked across all networks within 48 hours of reporting, making them useless in the UK, however blocked phones can still be used abroad. This has created a new market for stolen phones as the recycling industry exports many of the handsets it buys.

Recyclers who sign up to the new code of practice will work closely with police and check the details of every phone they are offered against the National Mobile Phone Register, a database of all phones reported stolen. Recyclers will refuse to buy the phone if the handset has been reported as stolen, and the person trying to sell it to them will be passed to police to investigate.

So far 20 mobile phone recyclers, representing 90 per cent of the industry, have committed to the agreement.

Crime Prevention Minister James Brokenshire said: "By joining forces with the police, the mobile phone industry is closing a multi-million pound loophole that has been exploited by criminals and the industry should be congratulated. Alongside the impressive work on blocking stolen phones, this code will make mobile phone theft an even less profitable crime."

The code of practice, developed by the Telecommunications Fraud Forum (TUFF), government and police, will be administered by TUFF who will also monitor it to ensure it is being adhered to. Non-adherence to the code will result in sanctions being taken against recycling companies.

Mobile Magpie fully supports this initiative, with the vast majority of its mobile phone recycling partners already signed up. Sharon Thomas (Head of Comparison Services at Mobile Magpie) commented: “This is a great initiative and one that MobileMagpie.co.uk fully supports. We hope that, through working more closely with the Police, TUFF and Government, the mobile phone recycling industry can really make a difference in helping to tackle mobile phone theft”.

ENDS

ABOUT MOBILEMAGPIE.CO.UK

With more and more websites offering mobile phone recycling services - giving you the opportunity to cash in your mobile phone for money or persuading you to exchange your mobile for some cash - it is becoming harder and harder to work out which website to use to make sure you get the best deal.

The Magpie at MobileMagpie.co.uk takes the headache out of recycling your mobile, helping you to compare prices from over 20 mobile phone recycling websites, from the likes of mazuma and envirofone to Debenhams and Boots.

The Magpie flies in to each of the mobile phone recycling sites, grabs the very latest live price for your chosen phone, and returns to the nest with all of the information under its wing. The Magpie then puts all this in a handy league table for you to compare prices and get the very best deal available … it even tells you how much you can save by choosing the top price.

And the Magpie's eye for a deal doesn't stop there – it will also tell you when you can exchange your phone for vouchers to spend in stores like Argos, Debenhams and M&S, helping you get even more value from your mobile.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Contact:

Amy Norton - Head of Press Relations

+44 (0)7788 501348

Amy.Norton@MobileMagpie.co.uk