How to protect yourself when your phone is lost or stolen

Losing your phone or experiencing theft can be a highly stressful event, but taking immediate action can help secure your personal information and reduce the risk of financial loss. Here are five critical steps you should follow:

Immediately contact your mobile service provider to block your SIM card. This prevents any unauthorized use of your mobile contract, protecting you from potential misuse and additional charges. Prompt action is essential, especially if theft is suspected as you’re financially responsible for any transactions made with your mobile phone until it’s declared stolen or lost.

To prevent access to your personal data, remotely lock your device as soon as possible. This action secures your social media accounts, bank details, emails, and photos from being accessed.

• Visit Google Find My Device: https://www.google.com/android/find (new tab)
• Log in with the Google account linked to your device.
• If you’ve lost your phone, select ‘Secure Device’ to lock your phone, sign out of your Google account, and display a message or phone number on the lock screen.
• If stolen, select ‘Erase Device’ to delete all data, though this will prevent further tracking.

• Go to iCloud Find My iPhone: https://www.icloud.com/find (new tab)
• Click ‘All Devices’ and choose your iPhone.
• Use ‘Lost Mode’ or ‘Lock’ to secure the device and optionally display a contact message on the lock screen.

Modify the passwords for all your important accounts, including social media, banking apps, and email accounts. This step is crucial to prevent identity theft and unauthorized access.

If your phone is lost or stolen, promptly file a report with the local authorities, ideally within 48 hours. Provide them with your phone's IMEI number, which can be found on your phone's box, purchase invoice, or through your mobile provider. This report enables authorities to block your phone across all providers in France, preventing its misuse. Additionally, securing a copy of this report is crucial for filing an insurance claim, as it serves as necessary proof of the theft.

If you have mobile insurance, contact your provider immediately to report the loss or theft. Include a copy of your police report to support your claim. The coverage and compensation will depend on your policy details.

You can limit the risks from losing your phone or having your phone stolen with a few good habits. Here are some tips to protect your device:

• Change the default PIN code
• Use a password to lock your phone’s home screen
• Activate the fingerprint authentication for enhanced protection
• Regularly backup your phone data‌ — ‌in the cloud, for example
• Make note of your IMEI number‌ — ‌if you don’t know your IMEI number, call *#06# to get it
• Activate your device location services
• Invest in a phone case with a strap so you can keep it close.

For further support on securing your digital activities, explore our articles on our support center. "How to protect my account?" offers strategies for securing your accounts, while "How to report fraud" guides you through the process of dealing with unauthorized activities. If you need help managing your device connections, "How to pair or unpair my smartphone to my account?" provides detailed instructions.