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Losing your mobile phone or having it stolen can be at best a pain, and at worst a distressing experience, there are some simple things you can do in both situations.
If you are convinced that your phone is simply lost and you have a tracking app installed on your phone, such as Find My iPhone (for Apple devices) or Find My Device (for Android devices), you can attempt to locate your phone. Here’s how:
For iPhones:
Use another Apple device or go to iCloud.com and log in with your Apple ID.
Open Find My iPhone and select your device to see its location on a map.
You can remotely lock the phone, display a message with contact information, have it make a loud noise so that you can locate it if it is nearby, or erase all of the data on the phone.
For Android:
Go to android.com/find and log in with your Google account.
Select your device to see its location on a map.
You can remotely lock the phone, display a message, have it make a loud noise so that you can locate it if it is nearby, or erase all the data on the phone.
If, however, you believe your phone has been stolen:
1. Report the Theft to Your Network Provider
Contact your mobile network provider as soon as possible to report the theft. This will allow them to:
Block your SIM card to prevent unauthorized calls, texts, and data usage.
Potentially block the phone’s IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number, rendering the device useless on any network in the UK.
All networks recommend getting in touch within 24 hours of losing your phone or getting it stolen. This ensures you’ll only be responsible for paying a maximum of £100 for any excess unauthorised usage, and your network will cover the rest.
If you wait more than 24 hours to contact your network, you may be liable to pay the full amount for any additional charges.
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Most network providers have a 24/7 hotline for such emergencies. Keep your network provider's contact details handy for such situations.
2. Report the Theft to the Police
If your phone is stolen, you should report it to the police straight away. You can call the non-emergency number on 101.
If possible, give them the phone’s IMEI number. They can use it to register your device on their stolen phone database, and major retailers will be alerted to its stolen status if someone tries to sell it to them.
The police should also give you a crime reference number, which you can use if you want to claim on your insurance.
3. Inform Your Insurance Provider
If you have mobile phone insurance, notify your provider about the theft as soon as possible - usually within 24 or 48 hours, depending on your policy. They will guide you through the claims process. You will typically need the police crime reference number, proof of purchase and details about the phone.
4. Protect Your Accounts and Data
Change passwords for any accounts that were accessible through your phone. This includes:
Email accounts.
Social media accounts.
Online banking and financial apps.
Shopping and subscription services.
5. Notify Your Contacts
Inform your contacts that your phone has been stolen. This will alert them to be cautious of any suspicious messages or calls that might come from your number.
6. Report the theft to your bank
If you’re worried about your online banking details being compromised, get in touch with your bank straight away. They can suspend your mobile banking app, keep an eye out for any unusual activity and put your cards on hold, if necessary.
You can now call 159 to get in touch with most UK banks directly.
To minimize the impact of future incidents, consider these preventive measures:
Always keep your phone secure and avoid using it in risky areas.
Never leave your mobile phone in your car.
Enable security features like PINs, passwords, fingerprint recognition, or facial recognition.
Regularly back up your data to The Cloud or a computer.
Install and activate tracking apps.
Make a note of your phone’s IMEI number – each device’s IMEI is a unique 15-digit serial number that can be used to identify it. You can find your phone’s IMEI in the Settings, or by typing *#06# into its keypad.
Don’t keep sensitive information like passwords in your phone’s notes app – it’s not secure. Instead, consider using a password manager.
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