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=== Bad ESN IMEI Cleaning service for USA Verizon Network ===There are companies (typically overseas) and hackers that offer the service of "ESN Cleaning," which is the practice of taking a phone with a bad ESN and making it good again. These people typically charge around $100 for the service.Let us analyze deeper this claim. First of all, once Verizon has flagged an ESN as bad, it is recorded in their wireless network master database. Any efforts you can make to have Verizon clear that flag are no different than those that can be made by another individual. The only exception is if you know someone employed by Verizon that is willing to risk losing their job by using the Verizon customer service software to clear the bad ESN flag in the database, assuming the individual has the necessary level of access. This does go on, and there are enterprising Verizon representatives doing this as a side business. If caught, there are a number of consequences that they face, however, you will likely not be in any trouble for asking that individual to clear the bad ESN on your phone.The ESN is written into ROM or EPROM memory on the board of the phone. It is possible to change this ESN to another number, theoretically, by connecting a memory flashing device directly to the board. This is a tricky process requiring someone skilled with a soldering iron and very small electronic component skills. However, what will the ESN be changed to? One cannot simply pluck a random ESN number out of the air and assign it to the phone. The Verizon master ESN datbase is a list of ESN numbers that will not accept any new numbers not matching one currently on the list. Also, using an ESN that is already in use by another Verizon customer will create an immediate conflict on the network and likely result in that ESN number being flagged. Furthermore, in the United States it is a criminal offense to alter the built in ESN number on the board. It is not illegal to swap boards, but it is illegal to reprogram the ESN on an existing board by changing the ESN number.