Get your own back on mobile phone thieves
Thursday, 21st February 2002.
Home Office statistics published recently suggest that mobile phone deaths are soaring; in fact over 700,000 last year alone. However there are measures that can be taken to reduce the risk.
The Police suggest that mobile phone use in public should be limited. Avoid using your mobile in the street, and don’t walk and text.
However if your mobile is stolen you maybe able to extract bitter sweet revenge on the thief. By recording some details about your phone it can be disabled and with some networks it is even possible to prevent the SIM card being used.
By taking a note of the mobile phone’s serial number the some service provider’s can deactivate the phone should it be stolen or lost. This action renders the phone useless unless it is re-programmed.
Although doing this will not provide you with your phone again you will be safe in the knowledge that the thief will have a phone which is useless.
However despite this the government still feel mobile phone network and handset manufacturers could do more to reduce the appeal of mobile phone theft.
Mr Denham, a minister at the Home Office said: “A start has been made, but more needs to be done before Britian’s mobile phone system can lead the world in security.”
The Government is keen for networks to introduce systems that will block mobile phones when the IMEI (or serial number) is passed to them by the user. Orange, One2One and Virgin already offer this service.
To find out your mobile phone’s serial number key *#06# This will display the 15 digit number.
The Home Office have issued the following security advice.
* Always use your phone’s security lock code or PIN number.
* Security mark the battery (and phone) with your postcode and street number or the first two letters of your house name. For more information on security marking, contact the crime prevention officer at your local police station.
* Register your phone with the operator. If you report your phone stolen, the operator should then be able to bar the SIM card.
* When using your phone, remain aware of your surroundings and do not use it in crowded areas or where you feel unsafe.
* Avoid displaying your phone where it is in public view. Keep it with you at all times and do not leave it unattended.
The Police suggest that mobile phone use in public should be limited. Avoid using your mobile in the street, and don’t walk and text.
However if your mobile is stolen you maybe able to extract bitter sweet revenge on the thief. By recording some details about your phone it can be disabled and with some networks it is even possible to prevent the SIM card being used.
By taking a note of the mobile phone’s serial number the some service provider’s can deactivate the phone should it be stolen or lost. This action renders the phone useless unless it is re-programmed.
Although doing this will not provide you with your phone again you will be safe in the knowledge that the thief will have a phone which is useless.
However despite this the government still feel mobile phone network and handset manufacturers could do more to reduce the appeal of mobile phone theft.
Mr Denham, a minister at the Home Office said: “A start has been made, but more needs to be done before Britian’s mobile phone system can lead the world in security.”
The Government is keen for networks to introduce systems that will block mobile phones when the IMEI (or serial number) is passed to them by the user. Orange, One2One and Virgin already offer this service.
To find out your mobile phone’s serial number key *#06# This will display the 15 digit number.
The Home Office have issued the following security advice.
* Always use your phone’s security lock code or PIN number.
* Security mark the battery (and phone) with your postcode and street number or the first two letters of your house name. For more information on security marking, contact the crime prevention officer at your local police station.
* Register your phone with the operator. If you report your phone stolen, the operator should then be able to bar the SIM card.
* When using your phone, remain aware of your surroundings and do not use it in crowded areas or where you feel unsafe.
* Avoid displaying your phone where it is in public view. Keep it with you at all times and do not leave it unattended.
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