How to guard cellphones from thieves

Mobile phones have become an integral part of our life. Be it the software techie, college student or the kirana shop owner nearly everybody has and uses a mobile phone. So what happens when you lose your phone?

In last couple of years, mobile phones have become a popular target of thieves. Therefore, it becomes important for all mobile subscribers to get acquainted with some practical measures to keep their mobiles safe. All mobile phone owners must consider these simple security tips:

·         Never leave your mobile in the car.

·         Always keep your mobile with you, never put it down in a public place or leave it unattended.

·         Switch to vibrate mode in circumstances where a ring tone might attract the attention of a thief.

·         Make use of your mobile's security features.

Notify your network carrier and the police immediately in the event of loss or theft. Still, if your mobile phone is lost or stolen you must immediately call your network service provider at the customer care number and inform them of the theft and provide your subscriber identification module (SIM) number. The network will immediately deactivate the stolen phone's SIM card to prevent unauthorised calls being made and billed to you.

You can also block the usage of the stolen mobile handset by preventing the re-programming of International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number. IMEI is a unique 15-digit code used to identify an individual GSM mobile telephone to a mobile network. It can be displayed on most phones by dialing *#06#. The code is also printed on the compliance plate under the battery.

IMEI numbers of cellular phones connected to a GSM network are stored in a database (EIR - Equipment Identity Register) containing all valid mobile phone equipment. Whenever a phone logs onto a particular network to make or receive calls, its IMEI number is emitted and gets registered. In case of stolen phones, the service provider can pass on the information to the police. They will further trace the user through the SIM card. Though blocking of SIM number is easier, blocking of handset can prevent reuse of handset by replacing the SIM card.

But the security procedure differs from handset to handset as there are two technologies for mobile phones, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) which connect to the networks differently, so the security features differ slightly. GSM phones are connected to the network using a SIM card, whereas CDMA phones do not have a SIM card, the phone handset itself is connected directly to the network.

So if you have a CDMA mobile phone, make sure that you know of an individual identification number, the ESN which is found on the back of the CDMA handset under the battery. It usually has eight digits, combining letters and numbers. This number can be recorded for identification purposes in case the phone is lost or stolen.

Secondly, an FIR must be lodged with the police, along with identification numbers for SIM card (GSM) and handset (IMEI or ESN). Filing an FIR is one of the most important procedures as it protects you from any crime committed by the thief using your mobile phone. The information provided in the FIR enables the police in the recovery of the lost mobile phone.

Apart from these tips there is one other that we should remember. Keep a back-up of all important information like phone numbers from the handset's address book. So that we don't end up helpless even after the loss of the mobile phone.

Insurance coverage for your mobile handset against theft, loss or damage is worth considering. This clause may be applicable only to high-end mobile handsets as there are numerous handsets at the lower-price segment. Besides, the price of most of mobile handsets have declined sharply over the last few months. Due to this, low-end mobile handsets rarely get the benefit of insurance coverage.

Insuring a mobile phone is very different from the insurance of other durable goods. A mobile handset cannot be insured for more than a year. The premium is fixed on a monthly basis and as the value of the mobile handset diminishes, the monthly premium also decreases accordingly. If during the insurance period, a theft or loss is reported, the insurance companies will pay the cost at which the mobile handset is insured for that month.

Source: The Economic Times