The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has published a new guideline detailing a four-step strategy for recovering a stolen smartphone.
Phone theft or misplacement is rampant in Nigeria and it could take place almost anywhere.
However, hereunder is the NCC’s guide to retrieving a lost or stolen phone:
1. File Police Report:
The NCC guidance emphasises the necessity of moving swiftly. Request a copy of the police report for your records and file it right away. Next, get in touch with your cell network provider to disable your SIM card (MTN, Airtel, Glo, 9mobile). This action stops calls, saves data, and safeguards your bank apps that are connected to your phone number.
2. Proceed to track the device:
“If you have ‘Find My Device’ enabled on Android or ‘Find My iPhone’ on iOS, use another device to locate your phone. Never meet the thief in person to retrieve it,” said the NCC.
You may also proceed to IMEI Tracking. Your phone’s IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a unique identifier. “Provide the police report and IMEI number to your network provider or police station. They might be able to track it on their network (depending on the circumstances of the new user of the stolen phone),” the regulator added.
3. Secure Your Information:
Use ‘Find My Device’ or ‘Find My iPhone’ to remotely wipe your phone if tracking is unsuccessful. By doing this, your data is erased and kept out of the wrong hands. Additionally, you can update the passwords for all of your phone’s accounts (social media, email, and banking).
4. Replace Your Phone:
Find out if theft is covered by your phone insurance. Get in touch with your supplier to start a claim. Another option is to get a new phone. Seek for safe choices with functional tracking. Regularly backing up your phone’s data to the cloud or an external storage is crucial for minimising data loss.
By taking these precautions and remaining watchful, you can minimise the damage or improve your chances of getting your stolen or lost phone back.
