Losing your phone can be a distressing experience, but taking swift and strategic action can help you secure your personal information and digital presence.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on what to do if you’ve lost your phone and want to ensure that your data remains safe:
1. Report to the Police: As soon as you realise your phone is missing, report the incident to your local police. Give them your phone’s IMEI if you can. They can register it on their database so they will be alerted if someone tries to sell it on to a major retailer. You can also use a crime reference number to claim on your insurance, if applicable.
2. Contact Your Network Provider: Get in touch with your mobile network immediately. They can put a block on your SIM card, preventing unauthorised calls, messages, and data usage. Also, request that they blacklist your phone’s IMEI number to render it unusable on any network.
3. Check Lost & Stolen Services: Different network providers offer dedicated services to handle lost or stolen phones. Reach out to your network using the provided hotlines or online forms. Leading networks like O2, EE, Three, Vodafone, and others have specific procedures in place for such situations.
4. Review Your Bank Accounts: If you’ve been using mobile banking apps, contact your bank to suspend access to your app. Banks can also keep an eye out for any unusual transactions. You can typically download and reactivate the app on a new device once you have one.
5. Review 2FA Accounts: Accounts protected by two-factor authentication (2FA) often use your phone as a verification method. Inform the services you use about the loss and ask for alternative 2FA methods. Backup codes or email-based verification can work as temporary solutions.
6. Change Important Passwords: Immediately change the passwords for your email, social media, and financial accounts. This adds an extra layer of security, preventing unauthorised access even if someone gains possession of your phone.
7. Consider Remote Wiping: If you believe there’s no chance of retrieving your phone, consider remotely wiping the device. This feature, provided by manufacturers like Apple and Android, erases all data on the device, ensuring your personal information remains protected.
8. Transferring Your Number: Contact your network provider to transfer your old number to a new SIM card. This is crucial for maintaining access to accounts that use your phone number for verification, preventing any disruptions.
9. Backup Codes and Data: Some services offer backup codes for 2FA or backup options for your data. These can come in handy when regaining access to your accounts and restoring information on a new device.
10. Check for Insurance: If you have phone insurance, review your policy details and contact your insurance provider. They might cover the cost of replacing the lost device, alleviating the financial burden.
Stop It Happening Again
The best ways to secure your phone are done before you lose it. By being proactive and taking steps before the worst happens, you can minimise any losses. Secure your phone before losing it by enabling passcodes, and biometric locks, and regularly back up data to the cloud or a computer. Consider using a password manager for sensitive information.
While the Device Tracker Plus app can’t help you find a phone that’s already lost, it’s a great tool for preventing such incidents in the first place. Install the app on your devices to ensure that you’re always prepared, giving you peace of mind and control over your data and accounts. With the code you will receive after subscribing to Device Tracker Plus, you can install the app on any other device as well and track your phone.
