Martin Lewis has urged everyone with a mobile phone to take a screenshot that could prove essential if their device is ever stolen. According to the consumer expert, tech users should note down an important code as soon as possible.
The Vital Tip from MoneySavingExpert
MoneySavingExpert (MSE), which was founded by Martin Lewis, highlighted the tip in this week's Money Tips Email. The expert's team explained: "Dial a quick code to save your phone's unique ID number - the police will request this." To access it, dial this quick code, then screen grab your phone's unique IMEI number - and save it somewhere other than just on your phone! If your phone's later stolen, the IMEI can be used by the network to block or identify it.
What is an IMEI Number?
As the MSE team shared, every mobile phone has an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI). You can access it by dialling *#06# on your device, then saving the number that follows IMEI or IMEI1. Martin Lewis previously urged people to save the number during an appearance on This Morning, telling phone owners: "Everybody do this now."
Additional Steps to Protect Your Data
Speaking with the show's hosts at the time, Martin shared steps that people can take to reduce their risk of being defrauded if their phone is stolen. As he explained, the tips won't stop thieves from taking your phone, but they could help protect your personal information. Martin said: "Make sure your biometrics are set up, your face or fingerprint ID, both on your phone and your banking apps. That's very important."
He continued: "Next one, everybody do this now. Type into your phone, star, hash, 06, hash. You'll get what looks like a series of barcodes come up. Those are IMEI numbers, screengrab those, email them to yourself. That's the ID you'll need if your phone's nicked so that you can recognise your phone."
Turn Off Preview Notifications
Martin also advised: "Next, really important, this one, and you'll understand why, turn off your preview notifications." He explained that online shoppers are often sent text codes when making a purchase. By turning off preview notifications, you prevent a thief from accessing any codes on a locked phone.
Martin continued: "The final one I'd say is go look at the security settings of your particular phone and go have a play and see what security settings there are. None of this will stop your phone being nicked, but it reduces the risk of you being defrauded if your phone is nicked."
Network Provider Advice
Mobile phone networks also offer advice for customers. O2 says: "Your IMEI number is used to activate your phone and register it with your network provider. It's also used to block your phone if it's been lost or stolen, helping to protect your device." The guidance continues: "The simplest way to find your phone's IMEI number is to key *#06# into your phone keypad. This will reveal a series of numbers, look for the one labelled IMEI. You can also find it in your phone Settings, or in the battery compartment if your phone has a removable battery."
