Mobile Phone Theft: What to Do If Your Device Is Stolen
Mobile Phone Theft: What to Do If Your Device Is Stolen
Many of us have a story about phone theft, whether that's because your device was snatched or it happened to someone you know.
Some 78,000 people reported having their phones or bags grabbed in the year to March 2024, according to government figures. Hotspot areas are often train and bus stations.
Preparation and Prevention
The best insurance against phone theft is preparation and prevention.
The Metropolitan Police advise using your phone for the shortest possible time on the street and avoid texting while walking.
Criminals often use bikes or mopeds when snatching devices, so watch out for any nearby when using your phone and stand away from the roadside.
Use Robust Phone Security
It's best practice to use a keypad lock or biometrics like fingerprint or facial recognition so thieves cannot immediately access your phone.
You can set up a PIN for your SIM card too. This stops criminals from using the SIM in another phone.
Know Your IMEI Number
Make sure you know your International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number - the unique 15-digit number used to identify your phone.
Type *#06# into your keypad and the number will appear, or go into the settings app.
If Your Device Is Stolen
1. Access Your Phone Remotely
You can try to access, lock and even shut down your device remotely:
- iPhone - visit iCloud.com/find or open the Find My app
- Android - visit android.com/find or open the Find My Device app
- Samsung - visit findmymobile.samsung.com
2. Alert Your Network Provider
Tell them your phone was stolen and give them the IMEI number. UK network operators can stop a stolen phone from working across their networks.
Important: If you don't report within 24 hours, you may be liable for unauthorized calls up to £100.
3. Let Your Bank Know
They can disable payment methods like Apple Pay or Google Wallet and suspend banking apps.
In some cases, victims lost thousands of pounds. For example, Niall McNamee had £21,000 taken from his accounts after his phone was stolen on the London Underground.
4. Report to Police
Call 101 or go in person to a local station. You'll need a crime reference number for insurance claims.
5. Change Your Passwords
Change passwords for:
- Online banking
- Email accounts
- Social media
- Shopping apps
- Subscription services (Netflix, Spotify, etc.)
6. Contact Your Insurance
If you have mobile phone insurance, call their claims line with your crime reference number.
📱 How secure is your phone? Take our interactive security checkup to identify vulnerabilities and get personalized recommendations to protect your device.
Source: BBC News, 25 February 2025