Can Samsung lock my phone without my agreement

[forestpct]

Don't want to go in to details here but I'm in a dispute with Samsung about a demand for an excess payment after I traded in a Galaxy S10+ with them as part of a promotion for a new S21 Ultra. If we can't reach an agreement can Samsung put a "lock" on the new phone to prevent me using it?

 

[tadpoles]

Don't want to go in to details here but I'm in a dispute with Samsung about a demand for an excess payment after I traded in a Galaxy S10+ with them as part of a promotion for a new S21 Ultra. If we can't reach an agreement can Samsung put a "lock" on the new phone to prevent me using it?

Yes. Yes they can.

 

[hallux]

To expound on that... If you don't agree to the payment and never pay it, Samsung can report the device to the carrier blacklists which would prevent it from being used on cellular networks.

 

[tadpoles]

Samsung can directly, without carrier involvement, disable the device. I read so much in the fine print on their website.

 

[Thomas_George]

Have you signed some paper agreement about the promotion? If yes, check it carefully to see if Samsung has such rights.