📱 Keep Your Phone (And Your Cash!) Safe: The Ultimate Guide Losing your phone is a headache. But these days, thieves aren't just after the plastic and glass—they can be after your bank accounts, photos, and identity. Here is a quick, friendly guide to outsmarting phone thieves and locking down your data. 👀 Stay Alert in Public - Never leave it on tables: Thieves can snatch a phone from a pub/café table in a split second.
- Watch out for "shoulder-surfers": People might peep over your shoulder to watch you type your PIN.
- Go biometric: Use Face ID or fingerprints instead of passcodes when you are out.
- Don't hand it over: Never let a stranger "borrow" your phone to enter their number.
- Pocket it: Put your phone away safely the moment you finish using it.
- Don’t leave it sticking out: Leaving your phone sticking out of a rear pocket makes it an easy target, being in your blind spot and easier to grab.
🔒 Lock It Down (Do This Today!) - Turn on Stolen Device Protection: Essential for iPhone users to stop thieves changing your settings.
- Turn on Theft Detection Lock: Android users can set their phone to lock automatically if it gets snatched out of their hand.
- Hide your banking apps: Put sensitive apps into secure, hidden folders with a separate password.
- Turn off message previews: Stop thieves from seeing your text verification codes on a locked screen.
- Write down your IMEI: Type *#06# into your keypad and note down the number somewhere safe at home.
💾 Always Have a Backup Plan - Back up regularly: Cloud backups keep your photos and memories safe.
- Don't store passwords in 'Notes': Write them down physically or use a secure password manager.
- Hide ID photos: Keep photos of passports or driving licences locked behind a password.
- Set up alternative 2-step verification: Ensure security codes can be sent to a tablet or laptop, not just your phone.
🚨 What to Do If Your Phone is Stolen Act fast! Your data is the top priority. - Call 999 if you are in danger or the crime just happened. Otherwise, call 101 or report it online to the police.
- Log in remotely: Use iPhone 'Lost Mode' or Android 'Remote Lock' from a laptop to freeze your device.
- Call your bank: Freeze any cards and accounts linked to your device immediately.
- Change passwords: Update your email, social media, and banking passwords first.
- Call your network provider: Give them your IMEI number to block the SIM and the handset.
Stay Safe. Regards. LPA - Dudley Central Team 2 ‘Working in partnership, making communities safer’ | 
