Simple Ways To Block A Stolen Phone

It’s no news that hundreds of smartphones are stolen every day across the globe and thousands every year. Most of the time, these smartphones are never retrieved or returned to their original owners.

Losing your cellphone through theft or misplacement can be one of the scariest experiences ever. It is usually like you’ve just lost the digital version of your life. Phones contain all kinds of secrets, useful files, and much other confidential stuff. Apart from the essential uses of a smartphone, it is also used as a “carry-around” computer.

If you’ve had your phone stolen or misplaced and you do not seem to find it even after tracking it, then you might want to resort to blocking your phone and destroying all of your data. This is preferable to getting your stuff into the hands of an unknown thief who would go through all your confidential stuff.

In this article, you’ll learn how to block your stolen phone using the following methods:

• How to block a stolen phone with an IMEI number
• How to block a stolen Vodacom phone
• How to block a stolen phone on Telkom
• How to block a stolen phone on Cell C
• How to block a stolen phone on MTN, and
• How to block a stolen phone without an IMEI number.

These are the methods you’ll be guided on in this article to block your phone when you can’t find it anymore. Surely, you won’t want to get your phone operated by an unknown person.

Now, let’s get to the guide: how to block a stolen phone. If you’re residing in South Africa, this article will particularly be of benefit to you.

How to Block a Stolen Phone Using Your IMEI Number.

An IMEI number is that unique 15-digit number that stands as the unique identity of your phone. No device has the same IMEI number as another and every device has different IMEI numbers.

In this section, you’ll learn how to block a stolen phone using its IMEI number.

You can check your IMEI number in the following places:

• On your phone’s box if bought new
• On/ under your phone’s battery
• Or dial *#06# and your IMEI number will be displayed on your screen.

You must have noted down your IMEI number or kept your phone box somewhere safe for reference purposes like the situation of a stolen phone.

Now to block your phone using your IMEI number, follow these steps:

Step 1: Get your phone’s IMEI number.

Step 2: Now contact your network service provider

Step 3: Inform the operator or the customer care service that you’ve lost your mobile phone and you want to block it. Provide them with your IMEI numbers.

Step 4: Once done, your mobile phone will be blocked in a few minutes.

How to Block a Stolen Phone on Vodacom.

If you have a Vodacom phone or SIM card, you can block your phone using the procedure below.

Block your Vodacom SIM card: Blocking your Vodacom SIM card will prevent unknown persons from using your phone to make calls or send text messages.

To block your Vodacom SIM card, call 135 customer care number and inform them of what has happened to your phone. If you’re using a different SIM that isn’t Vodacom, dial 082 135. Standard call candles would be charged when you call from another network.

When you have a chance to get to a customer care representative, inform him/her of what happened. During the call, get an ITC reference number from representation. This will be needed when you lodge a police report as part of efforts to recover your stolen Vodacom phone. Otherwise, request a blockage of your SIM card.

How to Block a Stolen Phone on Telkom.

If you’re using Telkom, this section will guide you on how to block your stolen phone on Telkom

1. Get a phone and Dial 081180 to talk to a customer care representative.
2. Once you get connected with an agent or customer care representative, inform him/her of your stolen phone and request to blacklist or block it.
3. You will need to provide your phone number, national ID, address, and the stolen phone’s IMEI.

You can check your IMEI as stated above, by dialing *#06# (i.e before your phone must’ve been stolen) or you check your phone’s box

While in a conversation with the customer care representative, also request an ITC number.

The ITC number is important in case you’ll want to file a police report. And if your phone was insured, you will need to report to the police to get a case number.

Also, you can ask for your Sim to be locked then you later retrieve it, if that’s possible.

How to Block a Stolen Phone on Cell C.

If you’re using Cell C then you should follow the steps below:

Dial 140 from Cell C numbers or 084-140 from other cellphone networks.

Inform the operator of your stolen phone and request to block it.

How to Block a Stolen Phone on MTN.

MTN users are the most popular in African countries, South Africa inclusive. Now, there are 6 out of 10 chances that MTN users lose their cell phones. So, if you’re an MTN user and you’ve had your phone stolen, you can resort to blocking it by following these steps recommended by MTN

• Call 135 on MTN PayAsYouGo or 135 on MTN Contract to suspend your cellphone
• Ask our customer service agent for the ITC number while you’re on the line
• Provide your device’s serial/IMEI number to have it blacklisted (most devices’ IMEI numbers can be checked by dialing *#06#)
• Report the loss or theft to the South African Police Service (SAPS) with your ITC number
• If you’re covered by MTN Insurance, call 083 123 6084 to lodge a claim with your SAPS case number
• Submit a completed online insurance claim form.

How to Block a Stolen Phone Without an IMEI number.

Many people who must have had their phones stolen don’t know their IMEI numbers. This is because they just have thrown the phone box away or haven’t noted the numbers down before the ugly situation.

In this section, you’ll learn how to block and erase all of your data without the IMEI number.

1. Get another phone or a PC and log in to the Android Device Manager with your email account.
2. Make sure it is the same account your lost or stolen phone is set upon.
3. When the website is opened, click on the phone you want to find.
4. Then, click Secure Device on the second tab in the left sidebar menu. This will open two text boxes.
5. In the first text box, you can type a message that will appear on the listed phone, and in the second box, type a recovery phone number where you can be reached.
6. Then, click Secure Device. This will make your device impenetrable

You can also decide to clear all your device’s data and files on Android Device Manager. Follow these steps:

• Click Erase Device in the sidebar menu on the left.
• Click on the green button that says Erase Device
• Enter your Google password
• Then, click erase.