Stolen cell phone? Learn how to protect your data first and what to do if you lose your device

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Backing up, using strong passwords, and protecting apps with biometrics are some tips to increase security. VIDEO: Find out what to do if your cell phone is stolen A survey published by g1 this Sunday (26) shows that more than 200,000 cell phones were stolen or stolen in the city of São Paulo in 2022. It is increasingly common for criminals to use the victim’s apps and personal data to clean bank accounts, make loans and even apply scams. Experts shared tips for you to protect your phone before and after, if you are a victim: Protect your data ☁️ Back up your data: Upload files from your phone to the cloud. “This will prevent you from losing important contacts, photos and other files”, says Heliezer Viana, partner in the cybersecurity area at Mazars, specializing in business consulting and auditing; 🔑 Watch out for passwords: Try to use strong passwords and not repeat your bank access code for use in other apps, email or shopping sites. Never write down passwords in notepads, emails, WhatsApp messages or other cell phone locations; Using password managers is more advisable. 🤨 Biometrics and facial recognition: Use additional security tools like biometrics and facial recognition in important apps and also in email; 📩 Email: Do not leave the email used to recover passwords saved on your cell phone; 🔐 Two-factor authentication (2FA): Activate this function in each mobile app. Even if the criminal locates your password, he will have to go through one more layer of protection: entering the authentication numbers, which are random, generated by 2FA apps (but avoid the SMS option); 📲 Write down the IMEI: it is the acronym in English for “International Mobile Equipment Identity”, a kind of “RG” that identifies each device. This code can help you when it comes to blocking the cell phone’s access to the operators’ network, which ensures that it will not be used as a phone again, and will be essential if there is any chance of tracking. 🔢 Protect the chip: Also put a PIN on the cell phone chip. In this way, if the device is restarted, it will be necessary to enter the personal code for using the line and sending and receiving SMS. 🔄 Updates that increase security: Keep your mobile operating system up to date and always check for pending application updates; It went bad… And now? 📞 Warn your bank: contact your bank immediately, so they can take security measures, such as blocking the app, so that the criminal does not have access to your money; 🔎 Try to locate your cell phone: Apple (iPhone) and Android have solutions that allow you to locate your cell phone even far away. These functionalities are native, that is, official of these brands and are already installed on the device; 🧹 Wipe data: The “Delete Device” (iPhone) and “Clear Device” (Android) features allow you to delete all cell phone data even far away, if the device is connected to the internet. This instantly prevents criminals from accessing any data that was saved on the device, such as passwords, app logins, etc; 📵 Deactivate the chip: after blocking access to your data, contact your carrier and request blocking the chip and the line. Thus, the criminal cannot use your number. Do not do this before erasing your data, because if the line is canceled and your smartphone is without internet, the command to clear the device will not arrive; 🔑 Passwords: Change all passwords for accounts registered on your smartphone, including social media and email. 👮‍♂️ Make a police report: look for your state’s electronic police station website and make a BO; 🧾 Consult the Central Bank: Access the Central Bank Register tool to check that your data has not been used to open accounts or loans; 💸 Dispute: Ask for the dispute of improper purchases or transfers made after the theft. If you cannot get it directly from the bank, it is advisable to contact Procon.

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