Phone theft or misplacement is rampant in Nigeria and it could take place almost anywhere.
Fortunately, here is a guide to retrieving a lost or stolen phone:
Take charge immediately
Situations like this leave you with two options – either sit and sulk or move quickly to try to recover your phone. We’ll always recommend the latter. Go to the police station as soon as you notice your phone’s stolen and file a police report.
Next, contact your mobile network provider to block your SIM card. This stops the thief from using your phone number for anything cynical or accessing your bank account.
Track your device
There’s a “Find My Device” or “Find My Phone” feature on most phones. If you have this feature turned on in your phone, use another device to locate your phone. However, never confront the thief in person when you discover their location because they may harm you to escape exposure.
Another option is IMEI tracking. Every phone has a unique IMEI number that can be used to trace the phone’s location. Provide your phone’s IMEI number alongside a police report to your mobile network provider so they can track the phone for you.
Secure your information
While tracking is one of the best ways to find your device, it can still fail. If it does, the next step is to secure the information on your phone. The “find my device” or “find my iPhone” feature also works for remotely wiping your phone.