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Mobile Phone Security

As many as 10,000 mobile phones are stolen every month. Two thirds of the victims are aged between 13 and 16. Many phones are also stolen from unattended cars. Here are some practical measures you can take to keep your mobile phone safe.

Remember to…

• to register your mobile phone at www.immobilise.com – this site is used by the police to return stolen phones – it is free! Use it!
• keep your phone out of sight in your pocket or handbag when not in use
• use your phone’s security lock code, if it has one
• some phones have an IMEI number which is a unique identifier for the phone; you can obtain this number by typing *#06# (star hash 06 hash) into your mobile phone and it will display a 15 digit number. Key a record of it.
• property mark your phone with your postcode and door number to help police identify stolen ones
• report a lost or stolen phone to the police immediately
• inform your service provider if your phone is stolen or lost

Don’t…

• attract attention to your phone when you are carrying or using it in the street
• park in isolated or dark areas to use your phone. Make sure your car doors are locked and windows closed if your’re in an unfamiliar neighbourhood or if it’s dark.
• leave your phone in an unattended car – if you must, lock it out of sight. It only takes seconds for a thief to smash a window and steal your phone.

By taking these simple precautions, you can protect your phone. Lost or stolen mobile phones can be blocked even if the SIM card is changed. Contact the relevant network provider with your phone details:

Network Operator	Contract	Pre-pay
Orange	07973 100 150	07973 100 450
Vodaphone	07836 191 191	08700 776 655
O2	08705 214 000	08705 678 678
T Mobile	0845 412 5000	0845 412 5000
Virgin Mobile	0845 6000 789	0845 6000 789
3	07782 333 333	07782 333 333
Onetel	0800 957 1100	0800 957 1100
Fresh Mobile	0870 111 5000	0870 111 5000
Tesco Mobile	0870 900 4455	0870 900 4455
BT Mobile	08000 322 111	08000 322 111