what is the best thing to do if your cellphone was stolen? Is there a way to block or lock it?
It was a motorola slvr. I bought it in malaysia.
It was a motorola slvr. I bought it in malaysia.
?
Favorite Answer
Hello; It's difficult to say. If the phone was made to work on a CDMA or similar technology network, it must be registered with the Cell provider, and as such the phone cannot be used if you call and have it reported lost or stolen. I use Sprint (USA) and that's the network they operate on. I report my phone, and nobody else can use it, becuase that serial number is associated with me.
If, however, your phone was made to work on a network that uses SIM cards, then all the account information is associated with the SIM card, not the phone; this means if your phone is lost/stolen, all the finder or thief has to do is buy a new SIM card, (about $20, in the US; less over seas), and the phone is available for use. The SIM must then be registered (user must have an account). So, let's say I have a Cingular account, and I find this new $500+ smart phone. All I have to do is take the SIM chip out of my phone, and put it in to the new phone, and poof! it's got all my numbers, and it's now my phone.
This is usefull only when transferring your numbers, but if you lose your phone... what reason would anyone have to return it (if they're not genuinely nice ppl, they won't)
So, report your phone, no matter what... but depending on your provider, you may never get it back... at least I'm happier knowing whomever finds it won't be able to use it either!
Anonymous
I would call your cell phone company ASAP. Tell them you lost your phone and they will put a temporary hold on your account. After that get a diffrent phone and then you can resume your account as normal and your original phone can possibly be flashed over by someone else but at least you wont be charged for the bill. Good luck
krissy
Hopefully you have insurance on it otherwise you'll have to pay full price for a new one. I would call the cell phone company where you get your service from and let them know it was stolen and get your phone service shut off otherwise they could be making calls that you could be charged for.
v_chick2007
If you didn't lock it before, just forget it, sorry. i have the same phone with Cingular and i put a SIM card lock just in case someone steals it and tries to activate it. Hopfully you have insurance.
Ms. Tee
insurance is the first thing u want to have.. then i would contact the cell carrier and tell them the phone was stolen and ask them if they can have the services ended on that phone... if u are lucky, they can cingular or watever the company is can have the phone blocked where no one can activate it so it will then be useles to them