You've got tech trouble? I've got a solution. We recently received an email from Linda who lives in Hemet, California. She wrote in about her concerns over phone theft and the potential ease with which someone could charge products using a lost or stolen phone's apps. Here's what she asked us:
Thanks for the question, Linda. The short answer is no, not if you have set a passcode on your device and they can't guess it. Then you did the second most important protection by enabling two-factor authentication or 2FA. If you've done these two things, there's a good shot that they won't be able to get into your phone at all to get to those apps to charge products. You can also erase everything on your phone remotely and remove it from your Apple or Google accounts.
Listen, we know losing a phone can be incredibly stressful for many different reasons. Dealing with all the logistics can be a nightmare, on top of the privacy and security concerns of your information being exposed. Not to mention Linda's concern over the risk of fraudulent charges through apps. We hope to ease some of your worries with some tips to prevent unauthorized charges on your lost or stolen phone.
The first thing you should do if you think your iPhone is lost or stolen is access "Find My" to help you locate it. Depending on where it is, you may figure out if you can simply pick it up or if it was actually lost or stolen.
How to locate your iPhone using another Apple device
On another iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, you can:
If you are certain your phone is stolen or stolen and it seems unlikely you will be able to retrieve it, you can remotely erase all data on the device. You can do so by tapping Erase This Device. It will ask you to confirm by clicking Continue - Note: ALL content and settings will be erased when this iPhone connects to the internet. If Find My network is enabled, you will still be able to locate this iPhone.
How to locate your Android using another Android device
HOW TO FIND A LOST WINDOWS LAPTOP
After you remotely erase the data, you can remove the phone from your accounts. But first, try to find it through icloud.com. I would recommend you keep on looking before you contemplate erasing it, hoping there’s a good Samaritan who will respond to your Marking the device as lost as described above.
After a few hours, if you see the device moving and no one is responding to you, then that’s not a good sign, and it's time to sever ties your device has with your data. For your Apple account, follow these steps:
How to remove iPhone from accounts
How to sign out of Android accounts
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It is also important to report the lost cell phone to your cell provider. People may try to exploit your device to buy products or transfer your SIM card to a new device, allowing them to hack into your accounts. If you contact your provider, they will be on the lookout for any signs of unusual behavior or fraud.
HOW TO FIND ANYTHING ON AN APPLE IPHONE, IPAD AND MAC
Any account or app on your phone may be compromised, so you should attempt to change any passwords to protect sensitive information or data. Some important accounts you may consider changing are your Email, Mobile banking or investment apps, and shopping apps.
If you have a password manager, make sure to change that password as well. If you do not have one, we strongly recommend you make the purchase for extra security. It will help you to create unique and difficult-to-crack passwords that a hacker could never guess. It also keeps track of all your passwords in one place and fills passwords in for you when you’re logging into an account so that you never have to remember them yourself. The fewer passwords you remember, the less likely you will be to reuse them for your accounts.
Check out my best expert-reviewed password managers of 2023 by heading to Cyberguy.com/Passwords
If you want further protection, consider enabling two-factor authentication or 2FA. 2FA is a security measure that requires a one-time special code in addition to your password to get into your account. Just make sure the recipient of the code is not your lost device.
If you have any Apple or Google Pay cards, they should be immediately canceled. Explain to your bank the situation and see if there has been any fraudulent activity recently, and if so, immediately dispute any unauthorized charges. It may be a bit of a hassle, but this is an important step to ensuring a scammer doesn’t take advantage of your vulnerable device.
Contact the police and file a report with the details of your phone and how it was lost or stolen.
Losing a phone can be a nightmare, but taking immediate action can mitigate the risks. Remember, "Find My" and remote erasure are your allies in securing your lost device. Don't forget to change important passwords and enable two-factor authentication for added protection. And always report the incident to your cell phone provider, bank, and the police. Stay vigilant and take control of your phone's security to prevent unauthorized charges and safeguard your personal information.
Are you concerned about the security of your device? What steps have you taken to prevent any unauthorized charges on your lost or stolen devices? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact
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