What you need to do when your phone is lost or stolen


It's a dreadful feeling to realize your phone has been taken, and it often causes fear. As difficult as it may be, you must maintain your composure so that you can take the required steps to reclaim the device or, at the very least, protect your data. You may never see your phone again, but you'll have peace of mind knowing that your data is safe from those who would misuse it.

When your phone is stolen, there are a few things you should do.

Notify the Authorities

The first step is to notify the authorities that your phone has been stolen. Make a police report-not only will this help with insurance, but it will also improve your chances of recovering. Let your cell phone carrier know if you're having trouble with costs or calls you didn't make. To begin obtaining a replacement device, file a claim with your insurance company and notify your work, family, and friends.

Monitor the Device

Tracking your device with its tracking feature is one of the best things you can do. Whether or not you enable this feature is determined by the device you own. For example, iPhone requires you to configure the Track My Phone feature, whereas Android's Device Manager allows you to track your device without first configuring it. Tracking services use GPS signals to plot the location of your device on a map. Device location is the critical information to provide to the police.

Preventing Access to Personal Information

The following step is to prevent the thief from gaining access to your personal information. Check the websites of the apps you use to see if you can log out or de-register. Change your passwords, too. Data access prevention varies by device; for example, Blackberry has a Blackberry Protect website that allows you to lock and reset your username, perceive your device's location, remove all of your info, mark the gadget as stolen, and much more.

Call Your Cellular Provider

If someone steals your phone and gains access to it, they may be able to rack up a lot of call, text, and data charges. To cancel your service, contact your service provider straight away.

Furthermore, if you cannot perform a remote lock or erase on your own, don't give up hope just yet; your wireless provider may be able to assist. If you contact them, they may deactivate the device and possibly wipe your personal information from it.

Contact Your Insurance Provider

If you have phone insurance that covers you in the event of a loss or theft, the last step is to retrieve the device's value. Are you unsure if you have insurance? You can get it when you acquire your phone from your provider. You could also check with your house insurance provider to see if it covers it.

Further Tips

Don't ever leave your gadget alone, whether it's on a restaurant table, a bar counter, or a shop counter. Why put your device in the hands of thieves when it's an investment? Most mobile device thefts are "crimes of opportunity," according to the FCC.

When in less-than-ideal situations, keep your smartphone hidden and use it with both hands if necessary. Treat the device with the same care you take care of your wallet.

Set a passcode to safeguard your personal information. Set a unique passcode to prevent criminals from accessing your device, which is likely full of personal data, private chats, and apps containing credit card information.

Updated on: 28-Dec-2021

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