04 Aug What to Do If Your Device Is Lost Or Stolen While Overseas
Losing or having your smartphone stolen overseas can quickly turn your vacation into a nightmare.
Not only do you run the risk of someone raking up a large bill using your mobile number, but your smartphone can also be used as a gateway to personal information. So, it’s crucial that you either find or secure your device as quickly as possible.
If your phone has been lost or stolen overseas, here’s what to do.
Step One – Ring Your Phone
When you realise your phone has disappeared, try ringing it.
It is possible that you’ve left it behind and a friend of yours may have it. Alternatively, the person who may have found your lost phone may be more than happy to return it to you.
Step Two – Use A ‘Find My Phone’ App
iOS users
Source: iTunes Store
If you have an iOS operating device, and have installed Find My iPhone or a similar app, use that to track your device.
How does Find my iPhone work?
To locate your iOS device using the Find My iPhone app, follow this guide.
Android users
Android Device Manager
Devices running on Android 2.2 and above will have Android Device Manager built in, which allows you to locate your device.
How does Android Device Manager work?
To locate your Android device using Android Device Manager, follow this guide.
Where’s my Droid
Alternately, if you have downloaded Where’s my Droid or similar apps, use that to track your device.
How does Where’s My Droid work?
To locate your Android device using Where’s My Droid, follow this, guide.
Step Three – Contact Your Carrier
If you are still unable to locate your device, you should contact your carrier. Your carrier can place barrings on your mobile number to prevent anyone generating charges on your account.
We can place barrings on your mobile number for our corporate and business customers. Simply give us a call or send us an email.
Telstra consumer customers can ring +61 4 3912 5111 to place barrings on their service.
Step Four – Contact The Local Police
Contact and/or visit the nearest police station. If you have insurance, you will need to file a police report to claim your device as lost or stolen to your insurer.
Lost your phone in Australia?
If you’ve lost your phone within Australia, follow steps one and two.
If you are still unable to find your lost/stolen device, ring your carrier to block your phone’s IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number. If someone tries to insert their sim into your phone and the IMEI is blocked, the phone will not work. It takes between 15-60 minutes to block your IMEI.
Telstra customers can find their IMEI numbers by typing *#06# into your device (like you would to make a call), and it will appear on your screen.
Note: Blocking your IMEI number when you are overseas won’t help preventing someone using another SIM in the device. A block on the IMEI number only prevents a SIM registered on an Australian network from using the device. However, a SIM registered on an overseas network will still be able to use the device despite the blocked IMEI number.