What to Do Immediately If Your Phone Is Lost or Stolen
4 min read
Losing your phone is stressful. Having it stolen is worse. But what you do in the minutes after it happens makes all the difference. Act fast, and you can protect your data, block fraud, and even recover your device.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to staying in control when the worst happens.
First steps: Don’t panic, act fast
- Call your phone: Sometimes it’s just misplaced. A quick ring can save a lot of stress.
- Use a friend’s phone or a laptop: Log in to your tracking tools right away.
- Stay safe: If you suspect theft, don’t chase. Your data is more valuable than the device.
Confronting thieves is risky — always prioritise your safety and use tracking tools or the police instead.
How to use tracking tools
- iPhone: Log in at iCloud.com/find or use another Apple device. You can locate, lock, or erase your phone remotely.
- Android: Go to Google Find My Device. You can locate, lock, or wipe your device remotely.
Protect your accounts
- Change your main email password first — it’s the key to resetting other logins.
- Update banking, PayPal, and shopping app passwords next.
- If you use a password manager, change that master password too.
Your email account is usually the recovery gateway for everything else, so treat it as the top priority.
Safety reminders: Lost or stolen phone checklist
Track it
- iPhone: Use Find My iPhone via iCloud.
- Android: Use Find My Device via Google.
Lock it
- Both Apple and Android let you remotely lock your phone with a message on the screen.
Block the SIM
- Call your network to stop calls, texts, and data charges.
Protect your accounts
- Change passwords for email, banking, and socials.
- Revoke app access where possible.
Report it
- Police: Report theft and get a crime reference number.
- Insurance: Contact BiMPY or your provider to make a claim.
Reporting to the police isn’t just for safety — a crime reference number is essential if you need to make an insurance claim.
Why acting quickly matters
- Limit fraud: Blocking your SIM stops call/data charges and prevents thieves intercepting one-time security codes.
- Cut off access: A remote lock and rapid password changes stop anyone getting into your apps and email.
- Boost recovery chances: Tracking sooner can capture a live location before the phone is switched off or moved.
- Simplify claims: Early reporting gives you the police crime reference number you’ll need for insurance.
Prevention + Protection = Maximum peace of mind
Prevention: Act fast if your phone is lost or stolen — quick use of tracking tools and locks won’t stop the theft, but it can prevent further damage by protecting your data and boosting recovery chances.
Protection: If the worst happens, having BiMPY cover already in place means you’re not left stranded — theft, loss, and accidental damage are all included on rolling 30-day cover.
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