Used SIM card question

OnEMoReTrY

Senior member
Jul 1, 2004
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I sold my iPhone (SIM card included) off ebay just barely to take advantage of high prices and the new 3G iPhone coming out. I found a cheap used phone on craigslist for 10 bucks that has a sim card in it already. Now this sim card has obviously been used with someones account before (and most likely suspended now since shes selling the phone). Can I call AT&T up and have them tie that SIM card to my account and be on my way? Or is there a problem I'm not seeing?
 

DivideBYZero

Lifer
May 18, 2001
24,117
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Pointless usually. I would expect ANY carrier to dispatch a new SIM with a new contract. You aren't going to save any money using an old subscribers SIM, and again I doubt any carrier would want to use an previously subscribed random SIM, but YMMV.
 

OnEMoReTrY

Senior member
Jul 1, 2004
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Guess I didn't clarify. I had the iPhone for 3 months, I already have a contract with AT&T, so technically im paying for nothing right now until the 3G iPhone comes out. I am wondering if I can simply use a phone with a previously used SIM and bind that SIM card to my account. Whether AT&T allows that or not.
 

newb111

Diamond Member
Oct 8, 2003
6,991
1
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Originally posted by: OnEMoReTrY
Guess I didn't clarify. I had the iPhone for 3 months, I already have a contract with AT&T, so technically im paying for nothing right now until the 3G iPhone comes out. I am wondering if I can simply use a phone with a previously used SIM and bind that SIM card to my account. Whether AT&T allows that or not.

You sold your iphone with the sim card that was tied to your account?
 

OnEMoReTrY

Senior member
Jul 1, 2004
520
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Originally posted by: newb111
Originally posted by: OnEMoReTrY
Guess I didn't clarify. I had the iPhone for 3 months, I already have a contract with AT&T, so technically im paying for nothing right now until the 3G iPhone comes out. I am wondering if I can simply use a phone with a previously used SIM and bind that SIM card to my account. Whether AT&T allows that or not.

You sold your iphone with the sim card that was tied to your account?

Correct, however I called AT&T up before I shipped it and had them deactivate that SIM card from my account.
 

pm

Elite Member Mobile Devices
Jan 25, 2000
7,419
22
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I would bet that they can do what you want - I reactivated an older T-Mobile SIM on T-Mobile doing something similar to what you are requesting. They didn't charge me anything.

That said, I agree with Divide - usually they'll just give you a new SIM for free and will tie it to your account.

I'd go into an AT&T store with the SIM, the phone and see what they can do. I'd guess that they'd either give you a new SIM, or make the old one work.
 

ViviTheMage

Lifer
Dec 12, 2002
36,189
87
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madgenius.com
Originally posted by: OnEMoReTrY
Originally posted by: newb111
Originally posted by: OnEMoReTrY
Guess I didn't clarify. I had the iPhone for 3 months, I already have a contract with AT&T, so technically im paying for nothing right now until the 3G iPhone comes out. I am wondering if I can simply use a phone with a previously used SIM and bind that SIM card to my account. Whether AT&T allows that or not.

You sold your iphone with the sim card that was tied to your account?

Correct, however I called AT&T up before I shipped it and had them deactivate that SIM card from my account.

thank god for that, go to an AT and T store and have them activate the new card you have. I did it with T-Mobile before.

t-Mobile charged 20$ for a new sim, if you are an old member, who lost there phone or something.