Check phone blacklist status via the CFEC database. Verify stolen/lost phones across Bell, Rogers, Telus, and Freedom Mobile networks
Canada established its national phone blacklist system in September 2013 — the CFEC (Canadian Federal Equipment Clearinghouse), operated by the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA). The system requires all Canadian mobile carriers to check whether an IMEI is on the blacklist before allowing the device to connect to their network. If an IMEI is blacklisted, the phone cannot be used on any Canadian carrier's network.
The CFEC database is jointly maintained by Canada's major carriers, including Bell, Rogers, Telus, Freedom Mobile, and their sub-brands. When a user reports a phone stolen, the carrier submits the IMEI to the CFEC, and all carriers share this blacklist data, achieving nationwide blocking of stolen devices.
Notably, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) enacted a rule in December 2017 requiring all carriers to sell unlocked phones and provide free unlocking services for existing customers. This means new phones purchased in Canada are unlocked by default, but older used devices should still be checked for carrier locks.
According to Statistics Canada, approximately 80,000 phones are stolen annually in Canada, with Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal having the highest rates of phone theft. Stolen phones are often resold through secondhand platforms like Kijiji and Facebook Marketplace.
The CFEC system has recorded millions of blacklist entries since its launch. Canadian police work closely with carriers to track stolen phones via IMEI. The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) also maintains its own stolen device database, complementing the CFEC.
Major Canadian carriers and their IMEI policies:
If your phone is stolen in Canada, follow these steps:
Canada's smartphone market is dominated by premium brands. Here are the top 5 by market share:
When buying used phones from these brands, check their dedicated pages: iPhone Check, Samsung Check, Pixel Check, Motorola Check, Xiaomi Check.
CFEC (Canadian Federal Equipment Clearinghouse) is Canada's national phone blacklist database operated by the CWTA. Since September 2013, all Canadian carriers must check the CFEC database before allowing a device on their network. Blacklisted phones cannot be used on any Canadian carrier.
You can use the CWTA's official CFEC lookup tool or the IMEICheck platform by entering the IMEI number. All major Canadian carriers are connected to the CFEC database, and blacklist information is shared nationwide.
First, report to your local police and get a Police Report Number. Then contact your carrier with the IMEI and report number. The carrier will submit the IMEI to the CFEC blacklist and suspend the SIM.
Before purchasing: check CFEC blacklist status, verify IMEI matches the device, check for carrier lock, and validate the original purchase receipt. Canada's unlocking policy now requires all new phones to be sold unlocked, but older devices should still be checked.
Enter your IMEI number and get a full verification report in 3 seconds
