Phone in police custody

[EthanNasey]

Hi everyone,

I'm currently in a tough situation and could really use some advice. My phone and contract are being held by the police as evidence in an ongoing investigation. This has left me without a phone and unable to access my mobile services.

I'm wondering if anyone has been through a similar situation or knows what I can do while waiting to get my phone and contract back. Specifically:

Are there any temporary solutions for staying connected (like a replacement phone or temporary contract)?

Can I request a temporary suspension or alternative arrangement with my mobile provider during this period?

Is there anything I should be aware of legally in terms of retrieving my device once the investigation is done?

Any tips or insights would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance.

[killyouridols08]

Unlikely.  Depends on What reasons the police have your phone whether you stand any chance.

4.7.12 You must not use the Services for any fraudulent or other unlawful purpose, whether You’re acting
alone or in collusion with anyone else. You are not permitted to use the Services, whether manually or
automatically, for any direct financial gain, revenue share or benefit in kind, including where Your
financial gain has derived from the termination charge payable by EE for calls on its Network;

[Chris_B]

@EthanNasey  No such thing as a temporary contract and no you can not freeze the contract until you get the device back.  

Why didn’t you keep the sim ? 

Nothing stopping you from purchasing a device on PAYG as this is the only temporary option you have to stay connected. 

[Chris_B]

@killyouridols08   As we don’t know the reason why the police have the device in the first place you’ve assumed that it’s because @EthanNasey has tried to use EEs network for unlawful activities.  Not sure where you got that conclusion from.  It might not even have anything to do with the service provided via the EE network for anything you’ve listed above.  

  If this was the case then EE will terminate the contract and request any remaining contract payment to be made for breach of the T&Cs.   Again that’s only if the above has been violated and there is no evidence in the OP to suggest this is the case. 

All we know is the police have the device for what ever reason that is. 

[killyouridols08]

@Chris_B I never assumed that at all, hence I said it depended on what reason the police had their device and posted the only piece of T&C that directly mention anything legal in case it was relevant to the situation. I didn't assume anything, you assumed i did.

[Chris_B]

@killyouridols08  Oh but you did when posting T&Cs  namely 4.1.12.    why post something that’s probably not relevant to why the police have the device.   Who says it’s a contract violation of service to warrant such a response ?   Posting anything from the T&Cs has to be relevant to the OP.  In this case at present it’s not.  

The police having the device doesn’t mean that a response should show T&C of a violation of a contract especially when you/I do not know the reason why the police have the device in the first place.   

The T&Cs are about breaking terms of service that’s all.  The T&Cs do not cover anything else that might be on the device.   Ie what might be recorded, what might be sent in a text to or from the device.    

We don’t know why or what has caused the police to seize the device and that’s all we know. 

[killyouridols08]

Alright, Inspector Morse.

[bristolian]

Depending on the circumstances for the phone being seized, I would consider reporting the SIM as being lost and thus arrange a replacement.

You would have to source your own phone independently.

[Chris_B]

@killyouridols08   Not a problem, Lewis Experience takes time to achieve.  

[Michael_D]

Hi @EthanNasey.

Thanks for coming to the community.

I'd recommend having a chat with our guides over the phone, and they can have a chat about the options for you, as what we can do can vary depending on the reason for the police having the phone, but the team can look at getting a replacement SIM with your number. You can see all of our contact options on our Contact Us page.

Michael