Mobile Phones: Security and Protection
Introduction
As a small portable device a mobile phone is very attractive prospect to theives. It is a regrettable statistic but mobile phone theft now accounts for almost 45% of thefts from the person and in the majority of cases the phone was either being used or was on display when stolen.
These are sobering statistics and it drives home the import of properly protecting and securing your mobile phone. Below I have listed a number of steps that you can take both to initially secure your phone and to allow you to retreive your phone in the event that it may be stolen.
Securing your Mobile Phone
All modern mobiles can be secured with an user-inputed four-digit security lock code or PIN number. This is usually set to 0000 by default and should always be changed to a number that you can remember.
Buy a UV pen and security mark both your battery and your phone with your postal/zip code any your house or flat number or the first two letters of your house name.
Register your phone with your operator so that if your phone is stolen your operator can then bar any further calls from being made on the phone.
Only use your phone where you feel secure in using it. Most phones are stolen when actually being used by the owner.
Unless you are using it, do not display your phone in publci. Keep it on your person at all times and never leave it on display eg in your car or on a restaurant table, for example.
Identify and keep a record of the 15-digit IMEI number that is specific to your phone. This can be found beneath the battery inside your phone and can also be obtained by typing *#06# into your phone and pressing the green 'send' button. The number can both be used to block your phone and will help the police identify your phone if it is recovered.
You can also register your fone for free at www.immobilise.com. Register your details with them and then, from the UK, call 08701123123 with your details and they will block both your SIM card and phone.