Additional complications to be aware of when your phone is stolen
Everything we are, what we look like, what our families look like, who and what we know, our addresses, our thoughts, our secrets, our daily planning and diaries can all be found on your phone.
Most of us have been a victim of a crime and one of the most common is cellphone theft.
Although your biggest concern at that time is getting your ‘lifeline’ back, residents are urged to consider additional factors when losing a phone, or when it gets stolen.
“In this day and age where everything is electronic, linked and interconnected, our identities are encapsulated in one device: the cellphone,” says Specialised Security Services private investigator Mike Bolhuis.
“Everything we are, what we look like, what our families look like – who and what we know, our addresses, our thoughts, our secrets, our daily planning and diaries our personal and financial information and photographs are kept on a hand-held device.
“This leaves us vulnerable and defenceless if we were to lose this device,” Bolhuis says.
Bolhuis gives some tips on how to protect yourself in case your phone gets stolen:
– Keep record of your device’s serial number.
– Keep track of your IMEI-number (International Mobile Equipment Identification) which will form part of the police report or insurance claim.
– Always activate a phone finder or similar app.
– Always use strong passwords. If possible, always use a two-factor authentication option for apps, particularly for online banking platforms. (With two-factor authentication, a second method of contact is used to confirm your identity, for example, another code sent via email.)
– Use different passwords for each account.
– Never save passwords in apps or web browsers.
– Set up automatic backups for when you get a new phone.
– Delete apps that you do not need or use.
– Make sure you sign out of or log out of apps after each session, especially online banking apps.
– Never keep unnecessary information on your phone.
– Do not keep private documents on your device.
– Do not keep intimate images on your device.
Important steps to follow if your phone is lost or stolen:
– Call your phone or use your app to send an alert.
– Use another device to call your phone.
– If your phone is on silent, you might hear it vibrate.
– The mobile app can be used to override the ringer settings, sound and alert.
– Send a text message to your phone.
– Text your mobile phone to provide instructions on how to reach you just in case someone finds it.
– Back up your cellphone and wipe it immediately.
– With automatic cloud backup through your mobile app, your data is secure and available.
– If you are certain that your phone was stolen, use the remote wipe functionality for your device (Android and iOS) to delete all data immediately.
– Lock your cellphone remotely and change passwords.
– Contact your mobile service provider and disable the service to the phone.
– Blacklist the phone.
– Contact the police and open a case.
– Inform the insurance company of the theft and provide the police case number.
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