In today’s time, mobile phone is not just a means to make calls or surf the internet. Our whole life is contained in it – personal information, bank details, social media accounts, important documents… everything! Imagine, what will happen if this phone gets lost or stolen? You will definitely panic, but before panicking, it is very important to take some important steps.
Track and lock the phone – If you have already activated a service like “Find My Device” (Android) or “Find My iPhone” (Apple) in your phone, then your trouble will be reduced by half. You can check the location of your phone by logging into Google or Apple account from another device. If the phone is on and connected to the internet, then you will also be able to see its live location, battery status and network details. Also, you can ring the phone or lock it. Locking is very important, otherwise your personal information can be misused. You can also put a message on the screen while locking, such as – “This phone is lost, please call this number”.
Block SIM card – As soon as you lose your phone, your SIM card goes into someone else’s hands. Information like OTP, calls, and banking alerts can be misused. Therefore, immediately call your mobile network provider and get the SIM blocked. If you have GPay, PhonePe, Paytm, or any mobile banking app active in your phone, immediately call the customer care of the concerned bank or app and get your account blocked or temporarily closed. Also, change all passwords.
File an FIR with the police – In case of phone theft or loss, it is very important to file an FIR (First Information Report) in the nearest police station. This can not only help in getting the phone back, but if someone misuses it, you will not be held responsible.
Block phone by IMEI number – Every phone has a unique IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number. If you have the phone bill or have noted the IMEI number, you can get the phone completely blocked through the CEIR (Central Equipment Identity Register) website (https://www.ceir.gov.in/Home/index.jsp). This will prevent anyone from using that phone’s network.
