What to do when you lose your phone

With much of our modern lives being tied to our phones, it’s normal to panic if they go missing. Not only are they home to sentimental things like photos and messages – but our devices are likely to have credit card and bank details stored on them too.

So, if you’ve misplaced your phone or think it may have been stolen, here’s what you should do next.

1. Try Find My services

Chances are you’ve already looked everywhere you can think of and have tried calling your phone from another device. But remember to use Find My location services on Apple or Google phones if you have one set up.

These tools can make your phone ring even if it’s on silent and could show its last known location.

2. Lock your phone remotely

If you can’t find your phone nearby, your next priority is securing your information safely. Both Apple and Google’s Find My services allow you to lock your phone remotely so that no one else can access your data. There’s usually an option to display a message on your screen too while it’s locked, so you could show a request to text or call another number if it’s found by someone so you can retrieve it.

This will help prevent anyone from using your accounts or cards on your Apple/Google Pay wallets.

3. Change your most important passwords and remove logins

It’s worth changing passwords for key accounts, especially:

• Email.

• Online banking (particularly if you’ve set up mobile banking).

• Shopping.

• Social media.

• Password managers, like Keeper and Apple Passwords.

4. Contact your mobile network

If it looks like the phone is lost or stolen, get in touch with your network provider as soon as possible. They have a range of options, including blocking the SIM card to prevent any calls from your number, and can advise you on next steps such as replacements.

5. Report it if you think it’s been stolen

Report the theft to Report Fraud using the non-emergency number or online form (link). They’ll give you a crime reference number, which you may need to file an insurance claim. You should report it to the police too, by either calling 101 or going into your local police station.

6. Monitor your credit report for any suspicious activity

Fraudsters may attempt to use your personal details to apply for credit in your name. The Searches section on your Checkmyfile report will detail any ‘hard searches’ (credit applications) in your details. If you spot a search you don’t recognise, you can report it to the lender involved so they can investigate it further.

Check in with your credit health

Keep your credit health in check by monitoring the most detailed credit report you can get. We put your information from the UK’s three main credit reference agencies – Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion – in one place. And if you spot something that doesn’t look right, our UK-based customer care team can help. Get started now with a 7-day free trial. It’s then £14.99 a month, cancel online anytime.