One in ten Spaniards has had their mobile phone stolen at least once. Last year saw 240,000 reported cases, which is 20% more than in the previous year. The numbers are even higher in summer because people spend more time in areas like bars, concert venues, beaches, and other places that thieves can access. Although it is difficult to recover a stolen phone, there are ways to prevent the loss and take action when the device has vanished. We are given the keys by the Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU), and an inspector from the Organized Crime Group of the National Police Corps.
The mobile bill must be kept. It will prove ownership in the event that it is recovered by the Police or found and delivered by someone else. The IMEI (15-digit code) can be found on the packaging of the mobile and can be retrieved by pressing *
Lock the screen. You can lock the screen with a PIN code, fingerprint, or face image. This way, if the device is stolen, it won’t allow them to use it even if they have it on.
Install an anti-theft application. Find My iPhone from Apple, or Android’s Find My Device. It allows you to locate your mobile phone and to block it in the event of theft or loss. You can also use other rescue apps with additional features.
Backup copies are essential. The most severe thing about a smartphone is often not the financial loss but the loss of all data stored on it: photos, videos, contacts, etc. You can access your Google account with Android mobiles. If the device is an iPhone, iCloud can be used.
These are the dark points of robberies. Because people spend more time on streets in spring and summer, 60% percent of Spanish smartphone thefts are concentrated in these months. Black spots include bars, large shops, and leisure areas. Many of these thefts occur “carelessly”. The inspector of the National Police advises that the victim must not leave their mobile phone on the table or walk away for more than a few seconds. Criminals will be attracted to it if they find it in their pants pockets or in an open bag.
Our mobile phone can contain information, banking applications, and documents that could be lost. They can withdraw funds from our accounts or make purchases if it is stolen. It is crucial to take action as soon as possible in order to secure this sensitive information.
Locate the phone. You might be contacted by someone who may have found your phone and would like to return it. The phone then attempts to locate the device. You can locate an Android phone using the Google Find My Device app or the web browser’s ‘Find my phone’ application. Apple’s mobile platform allows you to locate your iPhone using another device with an iCloud account or the ‘Find My iPhone’ app. The location will be displayed in real-time or as the last recorded at the time of turning off the phone.
You can delete important information. You can remotely delete all information (emails. Photos. …),messages passwords. Access codes to services from your mobile.
Your operator should block the SIM card. If you don’t have insurance, you will be responsible to consume the stolen SIM. Ask your operator to disable your phone using the IMEI code if you are certain that it cannot be recovered. This will make your mobile incompatible with any SIM card within Spain. However, this may not be possible outside of Spain. The OCU also recommends that all passwords be changed. He
Report the loss. Notify the police as soon as possible. Also, provide the IMEI number. OCU advises you to be cautious when filing a complaint. This is important when you claim insurance if yours does not cover it.
Sometimes, the theft or loss of a mobile phone is not reported. This is because it is difficult to recover it and it is wasteful of time. The Police emphasizes that filing a complaint to the police station for theft or loss is one of the most important steps. It is possible to recover it and prevent some crime from being committed using a device in our name. The Organized Crime Group Inspector says that mobile phone scams are increasing in frequency, including fraudulent purchases and sales via web pages.
The Police can also use the complaints to identify the areas where most robberies occur and set up surveillance devices. It is a difficult crime to combat, and it even goes beyond purse theft. The loot is extremely sweet. Thieves can take home an average of 300 to 400 euros per mobile. 42% of Spaniards spend between 200 to 500 on a smartphone purchase, while 23% invest more than 500. Only 1 in 5 people have insurance that covers theft.
