That's right, they cover theft. What's to stop people from filing false claims? Anyways, if you think you've figured it out, then go ahead and go do your thing. Otherwise, continue reading.
1. First things first, you have to activate this service. Call your carrier (shudder, the long wait time). It is actually better to call your carrier, as opposed to visiting a service center, because they can't actually see you, and besides, sometimes the people at the service center don't know alot, and they aren't willing to look it up. At least on the phone, they'll look it up.
2. When you finally are talking to a real live person, make up a story for needing replacement coverage. This one works nice: "Hi, I was wondering, do you have a PCS Replacement Program that I can add to my plan? I just started working at a new job, and I'm worried about my phone being stolen or damaged by one of my co-workers."
3. Now, if they do indeed have this program, then you can do this. Lock\line covers many cellular carriers, and may cover yours, even if not listed on Lock\line's website (for example, I noticed that they don't list SprintPCS, yet I had it on my SprintPCS plan, and this is in fact where I formed the idea of doing this).
4. Don't get hasty. Wait for a few days, at least three days. Then call Lock\line at (913) 676-9000. This is the general number, so when you get the operator, ask for your carrier. "Can I have the AT&T Lock\line?" for example.
5. When you get the next operator, your story is your choice, but I usually use "My phone got stolen at work. I was using it to call someone, and then I left it in my desk drawer for the rest of the day. When I went to get to get it so I could go home, it wasn't there, and I really need it, cause I'm expecting some important calls.
6. They will ask some questions like where you last saw it, and stuff like that. Get your story prepared before you call them.
7. You can wait a few days, or a week or two, then call them back, and file another claim. Oh, shipping and handling is free, also. After you file three claims, you will not be able to file anymore. Now you should remove the replacement program from your phone plan, so you don't get charged $5 evey month.
2. When you file a claim for a stolen phone, you are charged a $35 non-refundable fee.
3. I have never experienced this, but they state that you might end up with a refurbished phone, which might possibly be missing a faceplate, keypad, battery, or battery cover.
4. You can only file 3 claims in one 12 month period (one year period).
Okay, so you've drained the Lock\line resource. Well, that's about it for getting free phones. Sorry the free phones end here.
However, if you damage your phone accidentally then by trying to unlock it or something like that, then don't bother taking it back to a service center. They can't do crap for you. Instead, go to the service center, but to get the number to the warrranty center. If they ask to see the phone, this is the story that I gave them:
"I was visiting a friend and there was an AT&T service center (like this one), so I took my phone there because it was acting funny. Everything was going slow and the guy said he'd try to figure out what was wrong with it.
Well, when he gave it back, I didn't look at it at first, cause I was going back to my friend's. However, when I got back here, I noticed that I hadn't gotten any calls, and when I looked at my phone, it didn't work."
That's what I told the guy cause I was trying to get him to just exchange the phone right there in the store. Oh, and as long as your phone is not physically damaged, it's fine to hand your phone over to the guy. That didn't work, though, so I got the warranty number. I called them, and they asked the basic questions about whether I had dropped or damaged the phone in any way. Of course I hadn't, so they sent me a replacement phone.
The Catch:
You have to send your damaged phone back within 48 hours (they provide postage) or you will get charged for the entire phone's price. Make sure you return it.