Phone stolen? Do this now
Are you safe?
If you are hurt or in danger, call the emergency number first
You can call it from any phone, even without a SIM card
Somewhere else? Try 112 from a mobile phone. Most networks connect it to the local emergency number
Keep calm and carry on
Breathe in slowly through your nose
Breathe out slowly through your mouth
Do it 3 times
It happened to me too. We will go through it one step at a time
On a borrowed phone or computer?
Open a private window
Sign out of every account when you are done
Which phone was stolen?
Lock your phone
About 2 minutes
On any phone or computer, open the page for your phone. Sign in
iPhone: Choose Mark as lost
iPhone: ➡️ This also suspends Apple Pay on the phone
Android: Choose Secure device
Android: Asked for a code you cannot get? Try android.com/lock. It needs only your phone number
The same page shows where the phone is. Do not go there yourself. Give the location to the police
Block your SIM card and IMEI
About 10 minutes, plus time on hold
Call your mobile operator from any phone. The number is on your bill, your contract or their website
1️⃣ Ask them to block the SIM
➡️ A blocked SIM cannot be used to receive login codes
2️⃣ Ask them to block the phone by its IMEI too. They can often see the number on your account
➡️ A blocked phone stops working on networks that check the list
⚠️ Do not forget to block secondary SIMs / eSIMs
Block payments
About 5 minutes per bank
They are after your bank, not your phone
44%of identity fraud victims had money taken from their bank account
Your phone PIN will not stop them. Thieves watch you type it
Call your bank. The number is on the back of your card
No card with you? Type your bank's web address yourself. The number is on the site
⚠️ Do not search for the number. Scammers buy ads with fake bank numbers
iPhone: 1️⃣ Ask them to block your cards in Apple Pay and their banking app on the stolen phone
Android: 1️⃣ Ask them to block your cards in Google Wallet and their banking app on the stolen phone
2️⃣ Wallet stolen too? Ask them to block the cards as well
Ask about any payments made since the theft
Lock the account on your phone
About 3 minutes
Thieves go for this account first
If they saw your passcode, they can change its password and turn off finding your phone
iPhone: This is your Apple Account, the one your iPhone is signed in to
Android: This is your Google account, the one your phone is signed in to
1️⃣ On another phone or a computer, sign in
2️⃣ Change the password
3️⃣ Check the recovery email and phone numbers. Remove any you do not know
Cannot sign in? Start account recovery now. Every minute counts
Lock your email
Same account as the one you just locked? Choose I am in. Then skip the next step
Open your email in a new tab. Go to the security settings
Can you get in?
Lock your email
About 3 minutes
I can't get in: ➡️ Forgot your password? Choose Forgot password
I can't get in: ➡️ Asked for a code by SMS or on an authenticator? On the sign-in page, choose Try another way. A backup code or a security key works too
I can't get in: ➡️ Still signed in on a laptop or tablet? Use that. It may not ask for a code
I can't get in: ➡️ No other way in? Start account recovery
I can't get in: Once you are in, go to the security settings
Remove the stolen phone from your devices and sign-in methods
1️⃣ Choose Sign out of all other devices
2️⃣ Change the password
Next, do the same for your other accounts (social media, banks, PayPal ...)
Suspend your digital ID
About 3 minutes
Do you sign in to your bank or the government with an app on the phone? Suspend it
For example itsme in Belgium, DigiD in the Netherlands, BankID in Sweden, Singpass in Singapore or My Number in Japan
Use its website or helpline, or ask your bank
Warn your contacts
About 2 minutes
From another phone or your email, message family and close friends
Tell them your phone was stolen. A message from your number asking for money or codes is not you
⚠️ Warn them that your identity might be stolen and to be careful with messages from you
Watch for phishing
For the next weeks
⚠️ Given recent theft, you are in a vulnerable state. Be extra careful
⚠️ Do not click on random links in your mailbox
⚠️ If the bank calls you, ask them for a name and call them back
⚠️ Companies will never ask your passwords or codes. If they do, it is a scam
Work phone? Tell your IT team
About 2 minutes
Also if you read work email or chat on it
They can lock your work accounts and erase work data
Report the theft to the police
Today
Go to a station, or report online if your country allows it
⚠️ Get a copy of the report and a reference number
Your bank, insurer and operator will ask for them
Your report to the operator does not reach the police. Make both
iPhone: Bring the IMEI number if you can find it. It is on the phone box, and in your Apple account
Android: Bring the IMEI number if you can find it. It is on the phone box, and in your Google account
Anything else?
About 1 minute
Think about what else was on the phone: other banks, shopping, crypto, health, social media
Lock or change the password of each one
⚠️ This list is not complete. Rules are different in every country
I am not a lawyer, a bank or a security company. You use this advice at your own risk. I cannot be held responsible for any loss
All 11 done. Breathe
Go back to the skipped steps
- Lock your phoneDoneSkippedNot done
- Block your SIM card and IMEIDoneSkippedNot done
- Block paymentsDoneSkippedNot done
- Lock the account on your phoneDoneSkippedNot done
- Lock your emailDoneSkippedNot done
- Suspend your digital IDDoneSkippedNot done
- Warn your contactsDoneSkippedNot done
- Watch for phishingDoneSkippedNot done
- Work phone? Tell your IT teamDoneSkippedNot done
- Report the theft to the policeDoneSkippedNot done
- Anything else?DoneSkippedNot done