What to do if someone you know steals your phone?
Steps to take when your phone is stolen
- Check that it isn’t just lost. Someone swiped your phone.
- File a police report.
- Lock (and maybe erase) your phone remotely.
- Call your cellular provider.
- Change your passwords.
- Call your bank.
- Contact your insurance company.
- Note your device’s serial number.
Is it illegal to steal an Iphone?
Yes the police will file theft charges on someone for stealing a cell phone. With the cost of the newest models at or near a thousand dollars, in some states you could get a felony for stealing a cell phone.
What happens if you steal a phone and get caught?
Chances are you will not be arrested on a misdemeanor Theft charge. Most likely, you will be served with a summons to appear. If you are ultimately convicted of Theft, you could be sentenced to up to 180 days in jail.
Can I get my phone back from my ex?
Yes, you can do that. Show proof of ownership and current payments (i.e., billing statements, and account status) to your cell phone provider to law enforcement, then ask them to take action to reclaim the item.
Will the police track a stolen phone?
Yes, the police can track a stolen phone using either your phone number or the phone’s IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity). Whether or not the police prioritize looking for your stolen phone is another matter.
Can a stolen phone be unlocked?
Unfortnately, if you lost your phone, the person who fnds it, if doesn’t return your phone, will be able to unlock it and later on use it. All that person needs to do is a factory reset and bypass Google’s account veryfication.
What if I buy a stolen iPhone?
The police may be able to track down and return it to its original owner. It’s the right thing to do. You should also get in touch with whatever bank, credit card company, or financial service you purchased the device using (if you paid cash or check, you’re out of luck) to see if you have any kind of buyer protection.
Can you press charges for a stolen iPhone?
Individuals can’t “press charges,” small or large. Only the District Attorney can file criminal charges. If your phone was stolen, call the police and provide them with the tracking information.
Can police track your stolen phone?
How common is phone theft?
The FCC reports that upwards of 40 percent of theft in major U.S. cities involves cell phones, and Lookout’s survey found that just over 1 in 10 smartphone owners have been victims of phone theft.
Can I report my phone stolen if my ex has it?
They can report it. And if it’s in their name and the Police come knocking you’d be obligated to explain the situation and give it back. It could result in charges if your ex is so inclined. If it’s not in their name then the Police won’t care.
Can my ex reported my phone stolen?
In most cases, no. If the phone and the plan aren’t in your name, and you didn’t sign any agreement with him claiming that your payments to him give you ownership of the phone, you have no rights to said phone.
What to do if your Samsung phone is stolen?
With Samsung’s Find My Mobile feature you can perform additional actions like remotely backing up all your data (media, documents, and installed apps) and retrieving your calls and message logs to track any potential calls or messages made by the person who stole or found your phone.
What happens to your personal data if your phone is stolen?
This will prevent anyone who might have your stolen phone from getting access to your personal data. You can still have access to almost all of your personal data as Google automatically takes a backup of your photos, videos, contacts, calendar entries, and even your messages.
What do the police ask for in a stolen phone report?
The police might ask for details such as your phone’s make and model, the exact location where it was stolen, and/or your phone number and IMEI. Make sure you have any of these details before you file the report.
What to do if you can’t find your phone?
In the unfortunate event something happens where you cannot find your phone, follow the below steps as soon as possible. Android smartphones come built-in with a feature called Find My Phone, which can be used for tracking the location of your phone and ring it from a remote location by using your Google account.