What to do if…
your phone is stolen and you are worried about account access

What to do now

1. Move to a safer place first.

   • If the theft is happening now, someone is in immediate danger, or you are being threatened, call 999.
   • If you are safe and the theft is over, focus on locking accounts rather than recovering the handset yourself.

2. Lock the phone remotely, or erase it if you need to.

   • iPhone or iPad: use Find My or Find Devices on iCloud to mark the device as lost.
   • Android: use Find Hub to find, secure, or erase the device.
   • Remote erase is hard to undo. On iPhone, don’t remove the device from Find My or your Apple Account if you may rely on Activation Lock or a theft-and-loss claim.

3. Call your mobile network provider and ask them to block the SIM/eSIM and handset if they can.

   • Say: “My phone was stolen and I’m worried someone can access my accounts.”
   • Ask them to block the SIM/eSIM, note the theft on your account, and add or confirm extra account security such as an account PIN or passphrase.
   • Ask for the phone’s IMEI if you do not already have it.

4. Secure your email account from a safe device.

   • Change the email password.
   • Check forwarding rules, recovery email addresses, recovery phone numbers, and recent sign-ins.
   • Use the account security settings to sign out of other devices or sessions where possible.

5. Secure your Apple Account or Google Account.

   • Change the password if you think someone may know it or the stolen phone was unlocked.
   • Remove the stolen phone from trusted devices where this does not weaken theft protection.
   • Review passkeys, security keys, authenticator apps, and 2-step verification methods linked to the stolen phone.

6. Protect banking, cards, and mobile wallet access.

   • Contact your bank or card issuer using the number in your banking app, on your card, or on the bank’s official website.
   • Ask them to check recent activity and block cards or disable digital wallet use for the stolen device if needed.
   • Tell them if the banking app was open, the passcode was known, or verification texts could be seen.

7. Report the theft and keep the reference.

   • For a non-emergency stolen item, report online where available, call 101, or use Police Scotland’s online reporting route if you are in Scotland.
   • Give the IMEI if you have it.
   • Keep the crime reference number for insurance or follow-up.

8. Report fraud or cybercrime if accounts or money are affected.

   • In England, Wales or Northern Ireland, use Report Fraud if you have been affected by fraud or cybercrime, or suspect it is being attempted.
   • In Scotland, report fraud or cyber-enabled crime to Police Scotland, usually by calling 101 or using their online reporting route for non-emergencies.
   • If there are unauthorised transactions, contact your bank first.

9. Make a short damage note while it is fresh.

   • Write down the time and place of theft.
   • List the most sensitive apps on the phone: email, banking, password manager, authenticator, Apple or Google account, and work accounts.
   • Save any unusual login alerts, fraud alerts, or messages claiming the phone has been found.