Phone theft is on the rise, but you can fight back with these simple hacks. Follow these quick fixes to keep your device and cash safe from scammers and thieves.
Lock It Down with Biometrics
First things first: set up your biometrics everywhere. That means face ID or fingerprint scans on both your phone and your banking apps. Don’t just do it in one place—double up for maximum protection.
Grab Your IMEI Numbers – The Phone’s Unique ID
Type *#06# on your phone keypad and a barcode-looking number will pop up. These are your phone’s IMEI numbers. Take a screenshot or screen grab them immediately and email them to yourself. This is pure gold if your phone ever gets nicked, helping you prove it’s yours.
Switch Off Message Previews – Don’t Let Thieves Steal Your Codes
Here’s a sneaky trick most miss: turn off preview notifications on your lock screen. When you buy something online, you get a text code – great, but if this pops up on your locked screen, thieves can see it. Keep those codes hidden until you unlock your phone.
Explore Your Security Settings & Use ‘Find My Device’
Dig into your phone’s security settings and play around. Every smartphone has options to boost your defence. Plus, use tools like Apple’s ‘Find My Device’ or Android’s ‘SmartThings’ app — they help you locate your phone and even disable payments remotely.
None of these steps guarantee thieves won’t nab your phone, but they’ll definitely make it a lot harder for scammers to steal your identity or cash.
