if memory serves me correct, cricket is a re-seller (correct term is mvno) for sprint, meaning they use sprints network for their cell service, but brand it under the cricket name. i can tell you that you will be unable to activate a verizon cell phone on that account legally, as will be the case for most cell phones that operate on a cdma network (altell, sprint, verizon, older qwest phones, boost, etc.) now, most of this craze started with the iphone, and people "jailbreaking" them. there is a reason why it is called jailbreaking, IT'S ILLEGAL!!! best bet, contact cricket, if you are having issues with the phone, it should be under warranty, or see if they will meet you part of the way to get a different phone.