Whoops there's a bit of a network GPS glitch in Las Vegas for Sprint device owners who suffer from lost and stolen Sprint products.
When Sprint device owners notice that their device is lost, they are directed to Wayne Dobson's home in Las Vegas.
Sprint says it is investigating the problem. Dobson was told that cellphone GPS systems don't provide exact locations - they give a general location of where to start your search. His house is that location for his area for lost devices. Time after time irate lost cell phone users come to his housing looking for their lost contact, pictures and lives.
At other times due to the same glitch and a 911 call, police showed up at his house.
Police have responded four times to Dobson's house - twice for people who believed their phone was there. Each time the phone was a Sprint phone. There is cell tower near the house, however, some experts believe it has to do with a switchboard problem.
Dobson has posted a sign at his house warning that there are no lost cell phones on the premises.
"It's a hell of a problem," he said. "It would be nice to be able to get a good night's sleep."
According to Sprints forums
If your device is lost or stolen, contact Sprint immediately at
1-888-211-4727 to suspend your service.
If you have Total Equipment Protection or if you are part of the Equipment Replacement Program, file a claim and check its status online at www.phoneclaim.com/sprint. There is a non-refundable deductible for each approved claim, determined by the model of your device. You can also call Asurion Customer Care at
If you do not have either program, you are responsible for replacing your lost or stolen device.
The replacement probably will be subsidized and will be quite costly.
There is now a database of lost cell phones. That prevents stolen smartphones from being reactivated will be implemented by December 31, 2012, provided the phones have service in the U.S. by October 31, 2012. Read smartphone theft prevention tips.