How to Protect a Mobile Phone from Being Stolen

With mobiles or cell phones becoming fancier, more popular, and more expensive, they are increasingly liable to theft. Even then, many thieves are more interested in accessing your wireless service and potentially, stealing your identity. Unless you want to deal with all the hassles of getting a new phone (or paying for unauthorized charges on your bill) you'd do well to find out how to ensure that your phone finds its way back to you or at least, how you can make it difficult for thieves to get anything out of it.

Steps

1. Keep details. Make a record of all your phone information and keep this in a safe place. Include the following elements in the information:
   
   • Your phone number
   • The make and model
   • Color and appearance details
   • The pin or security lock code
   • The IMEI number (on GSM phones)
2. Add a security mark. Use an ultra violet pen to print your post code and house number onto both your mobile handset and battery. This makes it easily identifiable as your property if lost or stolen. It would also be good if you write your alternate contact number or email id on your phone. This would help the finder of your handset to contact you if he or she intents to return it. The ultra-violet pen marking will wear off every couple of months, so reapply it when you feel necessary.
3. Use the security lock code, or PIN feature, to lock your phone. This will make it less valuable to a thief and deny them access to personal numbers stored on your SIM card.
4. Register your phone with your network operator. If your phone is stolen, report the loss to them immediately. Using your IMEI number, they may be able to block your hand set and account details. Some wireless carriers are willing to do this, and some aren't. If done, this will prevent anyone from using the phone across any network, even if the SIM card is changed.
   
   
   • Keep in mind that once the phone is disabled, it may not be able to be used again, even if you get it back. 
   • Keep records of this call--the date, time, name of the person you spoke to, what they said, and their extension. Ask for confirmation in writing that your phone has been disabled. This is important in case the thief makes fraudulent charges on your account.
5. Have your phone number disabled. In addition to reporting your phone lost or stolen, you should also disable your phone number (not account) so that no further charges can be applied. This is in case the thief figures out how to access your account through another hand set, or in case the carrier is unwilling to block the handset. Remember that, as mentioned earlier, many thieves stand to benefit from using your service rather than selling your phone, especially between the moment they steal it and the moment you realize your phone is missing.
6. Request an immediate, formal investigation from your carrier. Sometimes this can prevent (or at least delay) the carrier from launching a collections effort and tainting your credit, if things get ugly. ^[ 
7. File a police report immediately. Time is money, literally. A thief can add over US$10,000 to your cell phone bill in just hours by making international calls, and you might end up being asked to foot the bill.Some phone companies may require proof that the phone was actually stolen, versus it having been lost. A police report serves as evidence, which will make your wireless provider more cooperative, especially if insurance is involved.
   If you continue to encounter problems with your wireless provider in that they are not disabling the phone or your account in a timely manner and insist that you cover the charges made by the thief, let them know that you intend to file a complaint with the Federal Communication Commission (FCC), your state attorney general's office, and your state's public utility commission (PUC) (or the equivalent authorities in your country).
8. Make a lime-green color gel for your phone's display. This will make your phone look like an old monochrome one. A very experienced hobbyist can also replace all white SMD LEDs in the phone with lime-green ones (better not only in display, but also in keyboard). Such a mod will distract most thieves, but note, however, that it may attract a rare group of thieves who hunt for vintage items.
9.  Install anti phone theft software. There are suppliers that provide modern anti theft software for your phone. The software enables you to remotely contact your mobile and stay in control. For example, one of the recently published solutions for Symbian and Android is Theft Aware:, others provide Windows Mobile or Blackberry support (GadgetTrak).
10. Never let the phone get out of your sight. Unless you are sleeping of course, always have your eyes on the phone.