STAY SAFE ONLINE – What do you do if you lose your phone?
Our mobile phones have become an essential part of our lives, as well as phone numbers, they save vital information like bank details and we use them to organise social events, remind us to go to appointments and even pay for our shopping. So, if your phone gets stolen or lost, it’ll have a big impact on your life – so here’s what to do:
What to do BEFORE your phone is lost or stolen:
If you report your phone stolen, the police and phone providers will likely ask for your phone’s IMEI details. The IMEI identifies your exact phone and the police can use it to check if it ends up on sale anywhere.
- To find your IMEI number on Android, dial *#06#
- To find your IMEI number on iPhone, go to Settings > General > About
If you use 2FA, as a back-up option, most websites will also let you generate one-time codes that you can print out or store safely in your cloud storage and then type in to complete your login.
Set up a ‘Find My Phone service’ on your phone – once it’s done, you can virtually control your phone and stop your data from falling into the wrong hands.
Use a password manager such as LastPass or Dashlane to help you manage all your account details – and change passwords quickly and easily. A password manager will also help you set up strong passwords including the one to unlock your phone.
If you’re keeping notes on your phone with personal information in them, you can lock them with a password.
Set up an automatic back-up for your phone data onto another device or on iCloud.
Register your phone free on immobilise.com so the police can return your phone if it is found.
What to do if your phone goes missing:
- Use ‘Find My Phone’ to locate and control your phone.
- Report a stolen phone to the police by dialling 101. If you have located your phone – give this information to the police.
- Contact your network provider to cancel your phone Sim so no one can use your mobile to make calls, send texts or go online.
- Tell your bank – if you use mobile banking, tell your bank that your phone is missing. Cancel any bank cards you have saved for mobile payments.
- Change critical passwords particularly passwords for your emails and your Apple, Google or Samsung account.
- Remove your phone as a trusted device if it is enabled for two-factor authentication (2FA).
When travelling always keep your phone out of sight – in an inside pocket – and be careful using it in crowded places – as unscrupulous people can snatch a phone and run off with it.
Find details of recent scams here: www.actionfraud.police.uk and on our Facebook page: Rainford-it-stay safe online
Published in the July edition of the Whitchurch Gossip and
the July edition of Oswestry Life Magazine