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Lost or stolen mobile phones

Thursday, 16 January 2014

The Communications Commission recently updated its website with information about preventing mobile phone theft and unauthorised use, and the importance of immediately reporting a lost or stolen phone to your mobile phone provider.

Isle of Man consumers need to be aware that they may be held responsible for any charges incurred on a lost/stolen phone until the phone is reported lost/stolen to their mobile provider (Manx Telecom or Sure).   

Whilst such crime is relatively rare on the Island, Manx residents are not immune, especially when travelling. There have been cases of people travelling abroad where criminals generated charges of more than £10,000 on a stolen phone in just 24 hours. Any delay in reporting your phone lost or stolen could make a difference.

Chairman of the Commission, Hon. Juan Watterson MHK said:

'Mobile phones are increasingly comparable to debit/credit cards, and should be protected as such. Protect your phone with a hard-to-guess SIM PIN and handset password; don’t leave your phone unattended, particularly when travelling overseas; and contact your phone provider as soon as you suspect your phone is lost or stolen.'

The Commission provides advice on its FAQ page (http://www.iomcc.im/faq.xml) and detailed guidance here: http://www.gov.im/lib/docs/cc/lost_or_stolen_phones.pdf.

Consumers should also visit their phone provider’s website for more information on protecting their phone. To report a phone lost or stolen, Manx Telecom customers should call +44 1624 624 624, and Sure customers should call +44 7624 247 247. 

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