Martin Lewis has shared a piece of advice that any smartphone owner should know, as it could save you a world of bother. It is important to have used these in case of an awful situation where your device gets stolen.
Speaking during a recent This Morning segment on ITV, Martin urged people to dial up this special code now and avoid the added stress that comes during the nightmare situation. The code that every smartphone owner should put into their devices now is made up of three symbols and two numbers.
Put *#06# into the keypad and call to show their International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number. Dialling this code is the fastest way to get your IMEI, which is crucial for tracking a stolen device and verifying its identity.
The MoneySavingExpert claimed this will help people avoid being robbed of more than just an expensive piece of tech. It can lock down your smartphone to prevent thieves from accessing anything they want, and it helps the police track and recover stolen items.
With devices becoming more and more advanced, people rely on this single piece of tech for lots more than just making phone calls. Lots of people will use their phones instead of their bank cards when making payments, not to mention other forms of personal data and previous memories that could be stored on the phone.
The number appears on your screen immediately after you dial the code. Martin said: “You will get what looks like a series of barcodes. Screen grab and email them to yourself, that’s the ID you will need if your phone is nicked.”
The IMEI can be used by the police to track a stolen phone and help recover it, and buyers can use it to verify whether a device is unlocked or has been reported lost or stolen.
Martin also suggested a few other tips to make your device much harder to access or sell on. One included disabling ‘preview notifications’, which are on by default.
Changing this setting means that when a notification arrives, it won’t show up on your lock screen. Instead, it will simply inform you that a notification has arrived.
He also suggested “having a play” with the security settings you have enabled on your phone. Most people will have the default settings in place, which can sometimes not be enough.
Regularly backing up your phone is also a very important habit to get into, as this will safeguard your data, including irreplaceable photos and videos.
What should I do if my phone is stolen?
If your phone is stolen, the most important thing is not to panic. A few crucial steps can make your phone easier to find and worthless to a thief.
If enabled, you could use the Find My Device (Android) or Find My iPhone (Apple) feature to figure out exactly where your phone is being taken. Do not attempt to get the device back yourself. Even if the device is powered off, these services may show its last known location, which can be crucial for the police.
Instead, take this information to the police, providing the IMEI number to block the device and prevent unauthorised use. Be sure to file a report, ideally within 24 hours, to receive a crime reference number for insurance claims. Notify your bank and change all account passwords to protect your financial and personal information.