Stolen Cell Phones

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Stolen Cell Phones: What to do?

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Cell phones disappear daily. They're sometimes merely misplaced but they are often stolen. For a thief, cell phones are a pretty popular target due to the fact they are small and easier to take and to sell than most items. They can easily bring in $50 or more per phone. Then of course, most thieves merely take the phone and use it until the owner has the phone disabled.

Find out how to prevent cell phone theft, what real risks are, and what to do about stolen cell phones here.

Use the expandable Table of Contents below to find what you need.

Preventing Cell Phone Theft 

There are a few things cell phone owners can do to reduce the possibility of losing the cell phone, having it stolen, or reducing the damage that can occur in either instance:

  • Use a clip or leash to keep your cell phone attached to your body.

  • Don't leave an unattended phone laying in clear view or in a purse that isn't in a locked compartment.

  • Consider carefully what information you store on your cell phone. If it would create too big of a disaster if it fell into someone else's hands, don't store it. You may not prevent someone from taking your phone, but you can prevent them from accessing important information.

  • Encrypt the data on your cell phone to prevent others from using it.

  • You can slow down a thief at least by using passwords to restrict easy access to the keypad. Read this Microsoft page on the importance of selecting a strong password.

    • Another Cell Phone Option to Reduce the Likelihood of Theft 

    Leashes and clips can help you keep track of your cell phone, but another potential option is a cell phone wristwatch. If you wear a watch constantly, it's hard to steal and most thieves would not target your watch for the purpose of using it as a cell phone.

    Stolen Cell Phones: It happens in the blink of an eye 

    Don't believe anyone and keep your cellphone safe

    Trust no one

    Runtime: 56
    1692 views
    1 Comments:

    curated content from YouTube

    It's Not Just a Cell Phone 

    For those who have a GSM phone or smartphone, a stolen cell phone is more than just the absence of the device itself. It's the loss of important information and the potential for identity theft.

    Again, security software is a the best protection from information being used or sold by a thief if the owner chooses to store such sensitive information their phone.

    Even If Your Cell Phone Isn't Stolen, Perhaps Your Information Could Be 

    Find Out How to Protect Yourself

    Phone Records For Sale www.IDTheftSecurity.com

    Runtime: 193
    1082 views
    1 Comments:

    curated content from YouTube

    Data Encryption Software for Cell Phones 

    Guardian Edge
    Smartphone protection for businesses.
    Alert Boot
    Protection for Windows Mobile Smartphones and more.
    File Dudes
    SecuBox for Windows Mobile Smartphones.

    Another Possible Security Option 

    How Txt2Lock works Part 2

    A simple demonstration of how txt2lock mobile phone security software works. Lite Lock is shown in this demonstration. Protecting you and your mobile

    Runtime: 21
    2205 views
    0 Comments:

    curated content from YouTube

    Stolen Cell Phone Charges 

    Here are two important points for anyone who has a stolen cell phone:

  • Cell phone owners are responsible for all charges that are incurred prior to the point that the cell phone is reported lost or stolen. Keeping in mind that the "average" thief steals a cell phone to use it rather than sell it, these charges can be significant.

  • Cell phone contracts have no liability limitations. Thus, owner's responsibility for paying any charges is not limited, capped, or anything else.


    • Note: Although the owner is responsible for all calls, if the owner set up and paid for their cell phone service via their credit card, they should contact the credit card company to see if the fraudulent calls could be covered through their service.

    Report Stolen Cell Phones 

    What should you do if you have a stolen cell phone?

  • Check the cell phone contract for the specifics but generally, if a phone is stolen or missing it should be immediately reported it to the police. They will want to know the name of the cellular provider, the make and model of the cell phone, and it's Electronic Serial Number so be sure to keep this information on hand.

  • With the case number assigned by the police, call the cellular provider to let them know what has happened. The company can render the phone unusable if given the IMEI number. (Users can get the IMEI number by dialing *#06# on their cell phone and keeping it on hand) Following notification, the owner can no longer be held accountable for any additional calls.


    • A rapid response is important and the best defense.

    Locate and Disable Stolen Cell Phones 

    Locating and/or disabling stolen cell phones is sometimes possible; if you've taken precautions. Some software is available that can help in protecting a cell phone's information and to locate or disable the phone if taken. Phone Guardian reportedly prevents data from being retrieved and provides the information necessary to find the thief and retrieve the phone.

    Another option is AccuTracking which describes itself as a low cost GPS Tracking Service. A consumer would need to download the software onto their phone prior to it's loss obviously. SunSat Satellite and World Tracker offer other options.

    More Mobile Security Options Online 

    Trust Digital
    Mobile Security for smartphones and PDAs.
    Firewall Guide
    A comprehensive list of articles and products.
    Trend Micro
    A top name in security.

    Cell Phone Insurance 

    With millions of cell phones stolen each year, many consumers consider the purchase of cell phone insurance. Before deciding to go this route however, there are a few things to consider:

  • Compare the cost of the coverage to the cost of replacing the stolen cell phone.

    Add up the monthly payments for the insurance over the expected lifetime of the phone, then add the deductible to that total. If the total is equivalent to what it would cost to replace the phone, insurance is not needed. In other words, the cost of a replacement phone is not significantly more than the cost of paying for the insurance in many instances.

  • Potential buyers also need to look at what will occur if their phone is stolen or lost under the insurance agreement.

    Will the replacment phone be equivalent to the current phone, will it be replaced immediately? If not, will it be a satisfactory solution?

  • Find out if the cellular provider will help replace a phone in case of theft. If they will, the insurance will be unnecessary.

    • Cell Phone Protection: What do you do to protect your cell phone? 

    Add Your Own Tips

    1

    Vote Up
    Vote Down

    Keep it out of sight

    I keep it out of view most of the time.3 points

    2

    Vote Up
    Vote Down

    Passwords

    I use passwords for everything1 point

    3

    Vote Up
    Vote Down

    Attach it to my body

    I'm extreme after losing a few, I keep in on a lea more...1 point

    4

    Vote Up
    Vote Down

    Lock it up

    I lock my phone in my desk at work0 points

    Stolen Cell Phones in the News 

    Choosing The Best GPS System For Your Car
    ... FM transmitters so that you can hear your voice prompts and alerts through your car stereo system, Bluetooth wireless connection to your cell phone, theft prevention features, long-life battery operation, and more. ...
    Mahlangu acquitted of cell phone theft | The Zimbabwe Times
    By Our Correspondent HARARE ? Deputy Minister of Youth Thamsanqa Mahlangu was on Monday found not guilty of stealing a cell phone belonging to.
    2 Charged With Mall Cell Phone Theft
    Two men are behind bars facing burglary and theft charges from the T-Mobile Kiosk at Oxmoor Mall, police have not determined if this case is related to 6 other mall phone thefts. Two men are behind... Dec 3rd, 2009, at 5:53am CST.
    Fwix / Louisville / 2 Charged With Mall Cell Phone Theft
    2 Charged With Mall Cell Phone Theft. ... 2 Charged With Mall Cell Phone Theft · 17 hrs ago on WHAS11 Local News / Crime Read More. Do you think this is important? Yes, this is important; No, this is not important; I don't know ...
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    And Another Thing: Fraudulent Accounts 

    As we mentioned above, stolen cell phones are a bigger problem than just the missing device. It's possible of course for others to open a cellular account using your personal information (which they can obtain in a number of ways including via your unprotected cell phone).

    For more information about this go to FCC.gov.

    The Good News Regarding Cell Phone Theft 

    The good news is that, as one would expect, there are efforts to improve the anti-theft features of cell phones. From phones that lock up when the user is not recognized to phones that allow owners to go online to find their phones exact location, there are several options on the drawing board.

    Find out about some of these promising ideas at Techzoogle.com.

    Have an Old Cell Phone You Want to Sell? 

    We recommend:

    Cell For Cash

    Stolen Cell Phones: Was this page helpful? Let us know! 

    submit
    • Reply
      Jon Jon Nov 10, 2009 @ 1:15 pm
      When my cell phone got stolen I came across this website to report stolen cell phone:
      http://www.stolen-property.com/report-stolen-cell-phone.php
      If you are going through this too hopefully it helps.
    • Reply
      mulberry mulberry Oct 23, 2009 @ 10:06 am | in reply to Nicholas Peper
      That's certainly not good! Have you contacted them and heard nothing back? I have heard only positive feedback until this, I would be interested if you learn more or if others have a similar experience.
    • Reply
      Nicholas Peper Nicholas Peper Oct 22, 2009 @ 9:35 pm
      I sent my old iPhone to CellForCash on 7/1/2009, they received it on 7/6/2009 and verified the iPhone on 7/10/2009. As of today 10/22/2009, I still haven't received payment or any responses to my emails or phone calls. Just thought I'd let you know. I used CellForCash because of an online recommendation by Chris Perillo, thinking that they would be a legit operation. If they were in the past, my present experience is that they are not legit anymore. eBay would have been a better choice in retrospect.
    • Reply
      mulberry mulberry Sep 29, 2009 @ 5:04 am | in reply to Ellie
      There are services like themobiletracker.com (clicking on the sunsatsatellite link above, under locate or disable your phone will take you there) which MAY be able to help you track your phone. But, the other thing you need to do is report it. At a minimum tell your cellular provider.
    • Reply
      Ellie Ellie Sep 28, 2009 @ 9:40 pm
      this is helpfull.Today someone stole my phone at forth period, I had forgotten my sweater at my mother's house and didn't have enough time to change out of my sweats from PE.I had left my phone in my back-pack's front pocket.Since I sat in the back of the classroom with only one person next to me.I was told by the teacher to get the back door and leave it open.It wouldn't stay open so I stood there the whole class time, when I came in at the end of class; to put my pencils away..I put my pencils in to find my cell phone gone.My first thought was where did I put it?Then I remembered I had left it there, making the person next to me my only suspect.I would've asked him if he had stolen my phone but it seemed rude to do so.Plus, would he have told the truth?I don't know where it is and I'm scared.....It's a metroPCS SamSung Messager 2, had it only little before school started...Is there someway to track it?...Please help...
    • Reply
      lparker3470 lparker3470 Sep 15, 2009 @ 11:55 pm
      i think you have everything covered in this article!!!

      there is a site that helps recover your lost phone htttp://www.itag.com
    • Reply
      Lil Lil May 28, 2009 @ 6:06 pm
      Today my daughter brought home a cell phone that someone handed her and said keep it going, they were passing it around like a toy. They wanted to see where it would stop. Well, my daughter brought this phone home to me and told me what had happened. I found the owner of the phone and come to find out, her aunt is a city cop right here in the town that I live in, they actually live on the same street as I do. Well, I took the phone to her aunt, informed her of what had happened, and no charges were brought agianst my daughter. I do wish we could live in a honest world. But the lady I turned the phone over to, is definately going to the school to investigate. This just goes to show you, that its not just adults that are doing these things. Parents need to teach their children as well to be honest!
    • Reply
      poddys poddys May 27, 2009 @ 9:42 pm
      Very useful information and a great lens. 5*****
    • Reply
      spirituality spirituality May 10, 2009 @ 10:37 am
      Great lens - you've been blessed by a squidoo angel :)
    • Reply
      land land May 8, 2009 @ 1:57 pm
      cell phone stolen
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    Introduction Photo Credit: papalars.
    Preventing Cell Phone Theft: Sarah Jones.
    It's Not Just a Cell Phone: decadentyou
    Stolen Cell Phone Charges: Tracy O.
    Report Stolen Cell Phones: Rob Gale.
    Locate and Disable Stolen Cell Phones: okko pyykko.
    Cell Phone Insurance: geee.darryl.
    Fraudulent Accounts: Kai Hendry.

    You can review this page at The Isle of Squid.

    This site is listed at LensMasterWorld.com as well as Yellow Pages

    by mulberry

    You have a great cell phone, now you need to protect it from loss and theft. Learn what to about lost or stolen cell phones on this page. (more)

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