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PSA: 60 unlock policy may come to an end on Verizon and its MVNO

295 131 Yesterday at 02:50 PM
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https://www.reuters.com/business/...026-01-12/

"The FCC said Verizon is the only major provider that the FCC requires to unlock its mobile phones 60 days after activation, which is earlier than standard industry practice. Verizon said that it "saw a spike in fraud of approximately 55% after TracFone moved from its earlier policy of a one-year lock to Verizon's 60-day lock" as a condition of the FCC's approval of the transaction.
FCC Chair Brendan Carr said that sophisticated criminal networks have exploited the FCC's handset unlocking policies to carry out criminal acts—including drug running and human smuggling."

So FCC is hinting that Verizon no need to do the 60 day unlock policy anymore. It may mean that the currently 60-day unlock policy applied by Verizon, Total Wireless and some Tracfone may all end. Go get a Total wireless phone deal while it's still available.
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Joined Jun 2007
FreeBand Taliban
> bubble2 8,885 Posts
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new33
Today at 02:03 AM.
Today at 02:03 AM.
Knew this was coming smh
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Joined Jul 2008
Helping you save $ too
> bubble2 11,604 Posts
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c2nah777
Today at 07:06 AM.
Today at 07:06 AM.
Locked phones also being used for such nefarious purposes. Smoke screen excuses. They got what they wanted, agreed to the terms, but have been trying to weasel out. Sad.
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Joined Sep 2006
L7: Teacher
> bubble2 2,270 Posts
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tgenius
Today at 07:58 AM.
Today at 07:58 AM.
It looks like Verizon no longer needs to unlock within 60 days anymore. Keep this in mind for Prepaid deals going forward!

https://arstechnica.com/tech-poli...-carriers/
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Joined Jan 2005
L10: Grand Master
> bubble2 7,484 Posts
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energyx
Today at 08:02 AM.
Today at 08:02 AM.
No more Tracfone/Total/Straight Talk deals for quick unlock.
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Joined Feb 2009
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bill875
Today at 08:03 AM.
Today at 08:03 AM.
So I'm guessing it will be 1-Year now at a minimum.
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Joined Apr 2007
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> bubble2 2,749 Posts
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barcode
Today at 08:04 AM.
Today at 08:04 AM.
Another reason to avoid Verizon.
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Joined Nov 2003
L10: Grand Master
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deshwasi
Today at 08:10 AM.
Today at 08:10 AM.
I assume this will apply to tracfone etc?
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Joined Apr 2017
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> bubble2 596 Posts
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irritable
Today at 08:48 AM.
Today at 08:48 AM.
This administration finds yet another way to screw the consumer.
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Joined Dec 2023
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FrugalForever
Today at 12:54 PM.
Today at 12:54 PM.
I am not sure if this is the right forum to post this, but just wanted to share this news with community members.

Verizon is no longer required to unlock the devices after 60 days of paid service as per the below notice:

https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-...king-rules

https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-acts-bring-more-uniform-approach-handset-unlocking-rules​ [fcc.gov]
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Last edited by FrugalForever January 13, 2026 at 01:09 PM.
Joined Dec 2009
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toobrown
Today at 12:55 PM.
Today at 12:55 PM.
I guess good days are over
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Joined Aug 2010
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tigrad
Today at 12:57 PM.
Today at 12:57 PM.
A lot of people are going to do these phone deals and not know this is now in effect. Thanks for the post; hope people see this before being finding out they can't unlock the phones after the common 60 days of service.
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Joined Dec 2023
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FrugalForever
Today at 01:49 PM.

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank FrugalForever

Today at 01:49 PM.
Quote from bill875 :
So I'm guessing it will be 1-Year now at a minimum.
Even worse, one year of PAID service to unlock.
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Last edited by FrugalForever January 13, 2026 at 01:53 PM.
Joined Sep 2003
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> bubble2 18,471 Posts
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chaoss
Today at 01:58 PM.
Today at 01:58 PM.
Quote from FrugalForever :
Even worse, one year of PAID service to unlock.
Wow. What a reversal
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Joined Dec 2015
L10: Grand Master
> bubble2 15,216 Posts
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Spaceman6969
Today at 01:59 PM.
Today at 01:59 PM.
Quote from FrugalForever :
Even worse, one year of PAID service to unlock.
Ugh! Horrible!
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