Keeping Your Mobile Phone Safe and Secure

Mobile phones contain huge amounts of personal and in many cases financial information. Taking a few simple steps now can help protect your device, your online accounts and your data, if your mobile phone is ever lost or stolen. 

Preparing for such an eventuality involves considering the following: 

Physical Security and Device Protection

Register Your Phone - Register your mobile phone on Immobilise (www.immobilise.com), the UK's free national property register. This helps police identify recovered property and reunite it with its owner.

Record Your IMEI Number- Dial *#06# on your phone to display its IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number. Keep a record of this number somewhere safe and separate from your phone. If your device is stolen, your network provider can use it to block the handset from being used on UK networks.

Stay Aware of Your Surroundings – Mobile phone theft can happen quickly, particularly in busy public places, transport hubs and town centres. Avoid holding your phone out unnecessarily while walking and be alert to your surroundings when using it in public.

Don't Hand Your Phone to Strangers - Fraudsters may ask to borrow your phone to make a call or to offer to take a photograph of you / your group. Never hand an unlocked phone to someone you do not know. If someone needs urgent assistance, offer to make the call on their behalf while keeping possession of your device.

Technical and Data Security

Use a Strong Passcode to Access the Device - Where possible, use a strong six-digit PIN or an alphanumeric passcode and enable biometric security such as fingerprint or facial recognition.

Hide Message Previews on the Lock Screen - Consider disabling notification previews so that text messages, verification codes and other sensitive information cannot be read while your phone is locked.

Set a SIM Card PIN - Adding a PIN to your SIM card can prevent someone from moving your SIM into another phone and receiving your calls or text messages.

Secure Banking and Payment Apps - Many phones allow you to place sensitive apps behind an additional layer of security. Consider using these features for banking, payment and authentication apps.

Be Careful with Public Wi-Fi - Avoid accessing banking or other sensitive accounts when using public Wi-Fi networks. Use your mobile data connection whenever possible, or a trusted VPN if public Wi-Fi must be used.

Enable Built-In Theft Protection Features

For Apple iPhones

For Android Phones

Preparing today can help protect your personal information and make it harder for criminals to access your on-line accounts, should your phone be lost or stolen.

What To Do If Your Phone Is Stolen 

If the offender is nearby, a crime is in progress, or there is an immediate threat to life or property, call 999.

If an emergency response is not required:

Further information

The Metropolitan Police have produced additional guidance on protecting your mobile phone and personal information through their "Be Switched On" campaign, please see here: Be Switched On | Metropolitan Police

Please help protect others

Please consider sharing this message with your family, friends, neighbours, colleagues, and community groups. Greater awareness helps prevent people from becoming victims of theft, fraud and cybercrime.