Phone Lost: Don't panic if your mobile phone is stolen; do these 4 things first, and you'll get your lost phone back..

When a phone is stolen, people usually go to the police first to file an FIR (First Information Report). But before doing that, you should take some important steps yourself. Remember that every minute counts after your phone is stolen. If your phone falls into the wrong hands, fraud can be committed within minutes, or the thief could even empty your bank account. Therefore, before going to the police, you should take some immediate action yourself. By following these tips, you can protect yourself from further harm.

Here's what to do first if your phone is stolen:

1. Block your SIM card
If your phone is stolen, block your SIM card immediately without wasting any time. This will prevent anyone from using your number for banking transactions or UPI payments. To block your SIM card, you should call your SIM operator's customer care and request that them to deactivate it. You can use someone else's phone to call customer care. Alternatively, you can visit your SIM operator's nearest customer service center to block your SIM.

2. Disable UPI and banking transactions
To prevent thieves from using your banking details to withdraw money, you must immediately inform your bank about the stolen phone. By informing the bank about the theft, you can temporarily block your UPI and bank account. This will keep your bank account safe from thieves. Note that after UPI is blocked, you will not be able to make payments. Therefore, you will have to transact in cash.

3. Remotely delete personal information
Your personal information saved on your phone, such as messages, photos, emails, and chats, is very important. If this falls into the wrong hands, it can be misused. Android and iPhone users have the option to remotely delete personal information. Android users can delete their phone data by visiting https://www.google.com/android/find/. iPhone users can erase data by visiting www.icloud.com/find. Note that when someone tries to use the stolen phone with a different SIM card, the data is automatically deleted. If the phone is found before it is deleted, this process can be stopped.

3. File a complaint about the lost phone
To curb mobile phone theft and loss, the Department of Telecommunications has launched its official website, CEIR (Central Equipment Identity Register), at www.ceir.gov.in. Using this website, anyone can block their lost or stolen mobile phone. To block the phone, you must first file an FIR (First Information Report) at the nearest police station. After that, you will need to fill out an online form with details such as the mobile phone's receipt, the FIR number, and information about where and how the phone was lost. This website not only tracks the phone but also assists the police in finding it.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from Amar Ujala. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.