Device’s IMEI is marked a Lost/Stolen on a Replacement phone Apple sent

I have Apple Care+ with Theft and Lost. April 2024, I got my phone stolen (IPhone 15 Pro Max) I made a claim and got a replacement phone.

Well fast forward, to yesterday I go in to the Apple Store to get my phone fixed and THEY CAN'T BECAUSE "Device’s IMEI is marked a Lost/Stolen" ?? THE REPLACEMENT PHONE THAT APPLE SENT ME !

So the Apple Employee, said 1. contact my carrier and 2. gave me an email eligibilitysupport@checkmend.com to remove it from the black list. I contact my carrier (VISIBLE which I have since 2020) and they say it's nothing with them. The blocked list people email me back and says "The operator that flagged the device in the Device Registry is: T-Mobile USA, Inc - United States"

BUT I HAVE NEVER EVEN HAD T-MOBILE AS A CARRIER EVER ! I try to contact T-Mobile, which is absolutely A PAIN TO TALK TO SOMEONE because of course I don't have a line/account with them. When, I do all they say "so you want to get a phone number with us" ?? Another person said, THIS PHONE WAS USED FOR FRAUD AND ILLEGAL BUSINESS, that I need a new device ?

I've talked to 5+ people on Apple Support, no one seems to give me a solution. One said to fill out a LOST MODE removal request. But my phone is not on lost mode, I can use it just fine! (will not fine because the screen is not working right now). Another one said that I needed to take it off "FIND MY" which I did, now that I think about it I shouldn't have because doesn't "Apple Care+ with Theft and Lost" not work if it's not linked to FIND MY ??

ANYWHO, ANYONE ELSE HAVE A SOLUTION FOR ME ?

Quick Notes :

• I can use my phone normal , it's not on "LOCKED MODE" call, text, etc. I didn't even know it was an issue until yesterday
• I bought the phone via apple, "Carrier: Connect on your own later"
• Does anyone know why this would happen ?