Tell me about blocking a stolen mobile phone...

[BethEJo]

Hi,

On Thursday evening, I was enjoying a night out in London with my mum, and my bag got stolen.

The money and my debit card I am less worried about - I've cancelled that, so I know that can't be used. Fingers crossed.

What I'm really worrying about though is my phone. Not only is it worth a lot of money but it also contains so many family photos and important information and passwords and stuff.

It's an iphone with O2, and on the evening it was taken, I managed to contact my Dad who then cancelled the sim/blocked the phone.
I was just wondering, what happens to a phone when you ring up to cancel your phone in the event of theft?
Does it completely block the phone, so that they can't use any apps or access my info on it? Or does it just block the sim, meaning that if whoever took it inserted a new sim they'd be able to access everything on it?

I was just wondering if anybody could shed any light on this

This morning, I logged into facebook to find a message saying that my account had been accessed from a different location to usual at 4:00 am this morning. I'm just worrying that this is going to be the start of something...

 

[Ware Bears]

Sorry, can't help but just wanted to give you a

Hope it didn't spoil things too much for you.

 

[joolz1910]

Does O2 have a helpline? I'm really sorry this happened to you.

 

[buzz for boys]

Personally I think it just blocks the sim so calls cant be made !! I dont know much about the iphone but is it not password protected ??

Sorry hun not much use I would defo ring 02 and ask for advice !

 

[jen_uk]

If the sim card was in the phone when it was blocked then the phone is now blocked which means calls etc can't be made or received. However, they will still be able to access your address book, photos etc. If they took the sim card out before it was blocked then then phone will not be blocked and they will be able to stick a new sim in and use it. Any website you accessed from your phone you will need to change the passwords on so they can't access them.

 

[tennisfan]

I think the only way to have the phone completely block is if you know the IMEI number as that is unique to the phone. Blocking the sim usually means someone can get the phone unlocked.

Sorry to hear your bag & belongings were stolen

 

[Cyrano]

Sorry to hear this Beth Hope you are able to get this sorted.

 

[BethEJo]

Thanks guys.
I have no idea what the phone's IMEI number was, and my phone wasn't PIN protected either. Can't believe I was so stupid in that respect

I've changed every password I can think of so hopefully that side of things will be fine now. I think I just have to accept the fact that the phone has gone, and that it's just "one of those things"...

I know people have had a lot worse happen to them, but it's just so scary how easily someone can access my information and contacts etc.

And to top it all off, my laptop has just gone and died on me! This is absolutely crazy, but it seems that something has definitely got it in for me?!

Thanks again

 

[wickesy]

I know people have had a lot worse happen to them, but it's just so scary how easily someone can access my information and contacts etc.

I think that's the downside to modern technology where you can have your 'whole life in your pocket.' You know what they say about hindsight Beth - "it's 20/20". I bet a lot of people haven't ever thought of putting a PIN lock on their phone so hopefully your experience can save somebody else from having the same thing happen to them.

 

[T16GEM]

I think that's the downside to modern technology where you can have your 'whole life in your pocket.' You know what they say about hindsight Beth - "it's 20/20". I bet a lot of people haven't ever thought of putting a PIN lock on their phone so hopefully your experience can save somebody else from having the same thing happen to them.

I've just put one on my iphone after reading this thread, sorry to hear that this has happened to you

 

[BethEJo]

I've just put one on my iphone after reading this thread, sorry to hear that this has happened to you

Good

I rang the lost and stolen number again earlier, and they seem to think that as well as blocking my sim, they've blocked the phone too. So that's a good thing. Maybe if you are on contract they already have a record of your IMEI number...

 

[ukstitch]

I probably ought to put a pin on mine to be honest - my iPad has got a pin number set, along with the "erase all data after 10 failed pins" setting, so I think I'll set that for my phone as well.

 

[florida sun]

Sorry to hear this Beth, I hope you have managed to get it all sorted

 

[j9000]

so sorry to hear this.

call the police and register the theft. if you have home insurance your phone may be covered. do it soon, as there is a time limit on this.

the good thing is you cancelled the sim card and changed your passwords
if someone used the phone to enter Facebook, then whoever stole your bag is keeping the phone, not intending to remove sim and sell on.

just a heads up, if you have mobile me, you can not only trace the phones location, but also remotely lock the phone, thus making a nice paperweight.
if the phones been wiped however, this wont work

 

[mandymouse]

Good

I rang the lost and stolen number again earlier, and they seem to think that as well as blocking my sim, they've blocked the phone too. So that's a good thing. Maybe if you are on contract they already have a record of your IMEI number...

That's good news then Bethan

So sorry that this happened to you and that it put a dampener on such a lovely evening

 

[scottishgirl87]

Sorry this happened

Can I ask those who are now putting PIN's on their iPhone, is there a way you can do it so the PIN is only asked on turning the phone on? I normally ALWAYS have a PIN on my mobile but haven't put one on my iPhone. Just set one up there and it's asking me for the PIN everytime I start using the phone (ie. unlocking it from standby) which is a little annoying Is there a way to make it like normal mobiles and only asked when you turn the phone on?

 

[irongirlof12]

oh you poor thing , i had my bag stolen last year and it was a horrible experience, i don't keep a lot in my bag now. I hope you can get your stuff blocked, but i bet they would just wipe it all and flog it, i am so sad that this happened to you.

 

[ukstitch]

Sorry this happened

Can I ask those who are now putting PIN's on their iPhone, is there a way you can do it so the PIN is only asked on turning the phone on? I normally ALWAYS have a PIN on my mobile but haven't put one on my iPhone. Just set one up there and it's asking me for the PIN everytime I start using the phone (ie. unlocking it from standby) which is a little annoying Is there a way to make it like normal mobiles and only asked when you turn the phone on?

Try setting a sim pin by going settings->phone->sim pin. Ive not tried this myself but this is what "normal" mobiles use.

 

[A Small World]

Sorry this happened

Can I ask those who are now putting PIN's on their iPhone, is there a way you can do it so the PIN is only asked on turning the phone on? I normally ALWAYS have a PIN on my mobile but haven't put one on my iPhone. Just set one up there and it's asking me for the PIN everytime I start using the phone (ie. unlocking it from standby) which is a little annoying Is there a way to make it like normal mobiles and only asked when you turn the phone on?

Does that not defeat the object though? If your phone is on when it is stolen then it can be used by whoever has it without them needing a pin until its switched off and they try to switch it back on again or am I missing something

 

[Lizzybear]

Does that not defeat the object though? If your phone is on when it is stolen then it can be used by whoever has it without them needing a pin until its switched off and they try to switch it back on again or am I missing something

I agree... I have a PIN on my iPhone and while it was a tad annoying at first i'm used to it now and I figure I can deal with it for the extra security it provides