What happens if a phone is reported stolen?

You will be responsible for any charges incurred prior to when you report the stolen or lost device. Your service provider may be able to use your IMEI or MEID or ESN number to disable your device and block access to the information it carries.

Can carriers track stolen phones?

Yes, both iOS and Android phones can be tracked without a data connection. There are various mapping apps that have the ability to track the location of your phone even without the Internet connection.

Can a phone company disable your phone?

In most cases, the service provider will only be able to block phone and data service to your device, not protect your personal data. It’s still a good idea to call them as soon as your phone is stolen, to avoid paying for your thief’s data usage.

How long do cell phone companies keep location data?

For example in location tracking, since July 2008, AT indefinitely keeps data about which cell towers were used by your phone. Verizon stores your cell-site data for “1 rolling year.” Sprint and Nextel keep it for 18 – 24 months.

What happens to an iPhone when its reported stolen?

When you mark your device as lost, you remotely lock it with a passcode, keeping your information secure. This also disables Apple Pay on the missing device. And you can display a custom message with your contact information on the missing device.

Can a blacklisted phone be tracked?

Once it’s reported stolen by you, the IMEI number is blacklisted across the country. If an IMEI device on the black list is used to make a call, the police will get to know about it immediately. There is a chance that they will track the phone if it comes up for resale or reset.

Can police track IMEI number?

How do police track IMEI numbers? This number can be used by the police to locate your lost or misplaced cell phone. Even with a different SIM, the moment a call is made, the IMEI number helps police to track your phone to the exact or nearby cell phone tower.

Can someone unlock my stolen phone?

If you’re not using a PIN or you’re using something easy to guess—like 1234—a thief can easily get access to your device. Just like on an iPhone, your Android phone will continue displaying notifications on your lock screen.

Can I disable a stolen phone?

Go to android.com/find. If prompted, sign in to your Google account. Click on the device you want to disable. Click Secure device to lock it.

How long do wireless carriers keep your data?

Internet session and destination info for up to 60 days; text message details for up to 18 months, depending on the device; text message content not retained; Internet session info and destination info for up to 60 days.

How long do carriers retain text messages?

The text messages are stored in both locations. Some phone companies also keep records of sent text messages. They sit on the company’s server for anywhere from three days to three months, depending on the company’s policy. Verizon holds texts for up to five days and Virgin Mobile keeps them for 90 days.

What do I do if my wireless device is stolen?

What to do if your wireless device is stolen. If the device was stolen, immediately report the theft to the police, including the make and model, serial and IMEI or MEID or ESN number. Some service providers require proof that the device was stolen, and a police report would provide that documentation.

Are wireless carriers doing enough to protect phones from identity theft?

Secure websites send key codes by text message. But phone numbers can be hijacked, and a recent wave of phone-based identity theft raises concerns that wireless carriers are just not doing enough to protect customers. NPR’s Martin Kaste reports. MARTIN KASTE, BYLINE: Greg Bennett (ph) had already heard of people’s phones getting hijacked.

Should I buy or sell a lost or stolen mobile device?

Before you buy or sell a second-hand mobile device, you should check to see if the device has been reported lost or stolen. This is because if someone inadvertently buys a reported lost or stolen device the rightful owner may have already requested the device be blocked from accessing wireless carrier networks.

Why is my lost or stolen phone not connecting to WiFi?

This is because if someone inadvertently buys a reported lost or stolen device the rightful owner may have already requested the device be blocked from accessing wireless carrier networks. The rightful owner may have also activated a device protection feature that prevents use of the device, rendering the device inoperable.