Five steps to take when you have lost your phone
From locking your device remotely to reporting the theft, here are five essential steps to take when your phone goes missing.
HAVING your cellphone stolen can be stressfull and fustrating, but acting quickly can help protect your personal information and improve your chances of recovery.
According to the SAPS, an average of 189 cellphones are stolen daily in the country. Between April 2027 and March 2023, 412 998 mobiles were reported stolen to the SAPS. Police data suggests that only 29% of these stolen cellphones were blacklisted with service providers.
ALSO read: Cellphones worth R80k recovered in Durban Central
The cost of your phone getting stolen can amount to more than a replacement device. In some cases, it can cost you your identity and scammers can empty your bank accounts. If you think or know that your cellphone has been stolen, Vodacom spokesperson Leigh-Ann Chetty explains what you need to do immediately after realising your cellphone has been snatched.
She provides the steps that protect the customer’s personal information and minimises potential misuse of their cellphone. “If your phone is snatched whilst you are using it, and criminals have immediate access to your banking apps, you should contact your bank immediately using a friend’s phone or even borrowing one from a passer-by to inform the bank of the theft and to have them immediately deactivate your banking app and any cards linked to it,” she says.
Chetty advises that if a customer’s phone gets stolen, they should take the following immediate actions:
- Contact your network service provider customer care to report the stolen phone. They can assist with blocking services and other necessary steps.
- Lock the SIM Card: Request a SIM card lock to prevent unauthorised use. Vodacom offers two types of locks: Hard-lock: Blocks both incoming and outgoing calls. Soft-lock: Allows incoming calls but blocks outgoing calls.
- Blacklist the device: Blacklist the stolen cellphone to prevent it from being used with other networks.
- Report to authorities: File a police report with all relevant details about the theft.
- Inform your bank: If the customer has mobile banking apps or sensitive financial information on the phone, they must notify their bank to prevent unauthorised transactions.
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