How do I lock your phone remotely (do this first)?

iPhone: icloud.com/find, select phone, then "Lost Mode." Android: google.com/android/find then "Secure device." This locks the phone immediately.

How do I call your phone carrier?

Call Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, or your carrier to suspend your line and blacklist the phone's IMEI number.

How do I change your passwords?

Starting with email, then banking, then social media — change passwords for all accounts you accessed on the stolen phone. Use a computer or another device.

How do I check for unauthorized activity?

Review your email sent folder, bank transactions, and social media for anything you did not do. Report unauthorized activity immediately.

How do I erase the phone remotely if needed?

If recovery is unlikely and you have backups, erase the phone remotely: icloud.com/find then "Erase" (iPhone) or google.com/android/find then "Erase Device" (Android).

TekSure — Free Tech Help for Beginners & Seniors

If your phone is stolen, time matters. Your phone contains your email, banking apps, social media, photos, and personal information. Acting quickly can prevent a thief from accessing your accounts and data.

Step 1: Lock your phone remotely. This is the most urgent step. iPhone: go to icloud.com/find from any computer or device, sign in with your Apple ID, select your phone, and tap "Lost Mode." This locks the phone with your passcode, disables Apple Pay, and displays a custom message. Android: go to google.com/android/find, sign in with your Google account, and tap "Secure device." This locks the phone and signs out of your Google account.

Step 2: Call your phone carrier. Contact your carrier (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, etc.) and report your phone stolen. They can suspend your line so the thief cannot make calls, send texts, or use your data. Your carrier can also blacklist your phone's IMEI number, which prevents it from being activated on any U.S. carrier network.

Step 3: Change your important passwords. Using another device, change the passwords for your email account first (this is the key to resetting every other password). Then change passwords for your banking and financial apps, social media accounts, and any accounts where you used auto-login or saved passwords.

Step 4: Check for unauthorized activity. Log into your email and check for any messages you did not send. Check your bank and credit card accounts for unauthorized transactions. Review your social media for posts or messages you did not make.

Step 5: File a police report. Contact your local police department and report the theft. Include the phone's make, model, serial number, and last known location from Find My or Find My Device.

Step 6: Consider a remote erase. If you cannot recover your phone and you have a backup of your data, you can erase the phone remotely. iPhone: icloud.com/find then "Erase This Device." Android: google.com/android/find then "Erase Device." This permanently deletes everything on the phone.

If you get a replacement phone, restore your data from your most recent backup (iCloud or Google account). All your apps, contacts, photos, and settings come back.