We could talk about why you should keep your phone safe and secure. Your personal information is stored on your phone, it has access to your accounts, blah blah blah, but we’d be wasting our breath. No matter what the reason, no one wants to lose their phone! I mean, cell phone withdrawal is a real thing.
So instead of talking about how dangerous it is to have your phone stolen, we’re going to focus on how to keep your phone secure instead. By following these tips, you’ll be just as sad about losing your phone, but at least you’ll be less likely to deal with identity theft while you’re going through withdrawals.
Use a lock screen
This one sounds obvious, but many people still aren’t using a lock screen. It’s a handy tool for a couple of reasons. First, if you live with family or roommates, you can ensure that they aren’t messing around with your phone without your permission. But, the most important reason to use a lock screen is to keep people you don’t know from accessing your phone.
If you leave your phone at the coffee shop or accidentally drop it at the grocery store, a simple lock screen is enough to keep most would-be identity thieves at bay. There’s just one problem…
The majority of people who come across a lost phone don’t want to steal your information. They’re more interested in returning the phone, but if they can’t access your contacts, how can they get a hold of you! A simple solution is to include your contact information on your lock screen or to tape a piece of paper to the back of your phone with your contact info.
Make it easier to find your phone
If you’ve ever lost your phone before, you are probably familiar with that panicky feeling. How can you live without your phone! Well, you may not have to.
There are many programs and applications that can help you find your phone. If you have an Android device that is linked to your Google account, you can literally track down its location. If you can’t get your phone back, it can erase important information remotely. What a sigh of relief!
Don’t worry. Apple has its own version too.
Change important passwords
When did you realize you were missing your phone? For some of us, our phone is like a third arm, so you might have noticed right away. For others, it may take a few hours for you to realize your tiny technological companion has gone missing. The longer your phone is gone without you realizing it, the more danger you’re in.
Even if you’re able to erase important information from your phone, you still have to change important passwords. Most phones have an automatic sign in to apps and websites, which means someone who is able to hack into your phone may be able to log into your bank account, into your credit card account, and more.
Report your stolen phone
If you aren’t able to track down your phone, you should definitely consider reporting it to the police. I mean, damn! Smartphones can cost hundreds and hundreds of dollars!
The trouble is, telling a cop that you’ve lost your iPhone isn’t going to be helpful. How are they going to know it’s yours? Before your phone gets stolen or lost, write down the serial number. It’s easy to find your serial number if you know where to look. That way, if your phone is found, there’s no question that it’s yours.
Reporting your stolen phone to the police isn’t your only job. You should also report the loss to your cell phone provider, especially if you’re currently on a payment plan. It’s also a good idea to contact your bank or credit card companies if your account information is linked to your phone.
The easiest way to keep your phone secure?
What a pain dealing with a stolen phone can be! Just keeping the dang thing safe and secure in the first place is the way to go. Place it in its own pocket in your purse or in a front pants pocket (some thieves are really good about snatching things from back pockets).
Or, just make sure you’re holding your phone all the time. You’re probably holding it most of the time anyway. This phone grip should help you solidify your dependent relationship with your phone so no one has the chance to put their grubby mitts on your favorite device in the first place.