Stolen Phone Survival Checklist: You’ve looked everywhere–retraced your steps, checked all of the usual places, asked around…but your phone is missing! Whether your constant digital companion has been lost or swiped by a less-than-honest human, relax. Before you let the panic set in and take over, take a deep breath! We’ve got you covered with this ultimate lost or stolen phone survival checklist. Follow these 7 steps to make it through and get back in business.
Track it!
You’re probably saying to yourself–or anyone within earshot who will listen–right now, “I lost my cell phone! What do I do?” Most phones have tracking or locating services you can access quickly from a computer. You may also have the ability to block it from being used or wipe it of personal information (think account info and passwords, etc.) remotely. Protecting your private information is key!
Thief alert!
If your phone was taken, you’re most likely thinking, Ok, my phone was stolen. How do I block it? You want to be sure that whoever snatched your prized possession isn’t able to actually use it. Making calls, sending texts, downloading apps or games, or even ordering goods on your phone are all enough to send a shiver down your spine. So, what can you do? First, you need to call or email your cell service provider and alert them to the theft. Doing so as quickly as possible will lessen the likelihood of the thief being able to do any of the aforementioned things with your phone. Disable your Android or iPhone when it is lost or stolen as soon as you can.
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Password Protection!
It’s also a smart move to go ahead and change your passwords on all accounts that may be accessible from your smartphone. Log in to any websites or other accounts that you have the information for and make these changes to make it more difficult for them to get any of your data or records.
Check your surroundings
Do you know where you were when the phone went missing or was taken? If you were at a public location and no one has turned it in on their own accord, ask about surveillance cameras or to speak to security. You may be able to track it down sooner, or at least know where to start!
Be realistic.
While it is definitely possible that you simply misplaced your phone, you also need to realize that theft is a very viable possibility as well. Sadly, there are those who make it their job to strike when they see an opportunity to take something that doesn’t belong to them and either keep it or resell it for a profit. If you’ve checked your surroundings and retraced your steps a number of times, it may be time to move past the idea that it was mistakenly placed elsewhere.
Enlist a friend’s help!
This may seem like an obvious solution, but sometimes when panicking, the most seemingly simple solutions go over our heads. If a solution works, great! If it doesn’t, at least you can say you’ve tried! Ask to use a friend or coworker’s phone (or even a store’s landline if in a public space), and call your cell. You may hear it soon! If your phone is on silent or vibrate, this may be trickier. If this is the case, you may contact your carrier and explain the situation. They can possibly override your device’s ringer setting and activate the ring.
Move on!
Unfortunately, taking immediate action and following all of the steps you can to recover your phone may still not be enough to remedy the situation to your satisfaction. In this case, it may be best to cut your losses and get a new phone. Fortunately, Assist Wireless, Oklahoma’s #1 Lifeline Assistance Program provider, can help. Not in Oklahoma? Assist Wireless also offers coverage to those in Arkansas, Maryland, and Missouri.
The federal “government phone” program we’re talking about is the Lifeline Assistance Program, developed to help low-income consumers and/or Veterans get connected with free or low-cost phones and/or talk/text/data plans. The customer services representatives on their fabulous team are ready and willing to give you all the help you need to get started on scoring your free Smartphone today!
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