Smart phone stolen. Help please!

Factual Questions
1

It was my first ever smart phone. An LG 65. It had a SIMS card (I think it is called) and a 4 G extra card. Had it for a month. Just learned how to drive it. I loved that phone!

The keyboard had a four digit lock on it. So, I presume the new will just put in a new SIM card and now have a new phone.

A few questions.

  1. Is my personal data, email accounts, directory, passwords, etc. stored on the SIM card? Or the 4 G card?

  2. If they put my SIM card in another phone, can they access the info?

  3. Can I get my original phone number back?

  4. Can I get my list of contacts back?

  5. Basically, how f**k*d am I?

If it matters, I live in Mexico.

Thank you for your help. This loss has ruined my day.

2

For your next phone: install an anti-theft app like Anti-Theft Droid. They can help you shut down your phone, wipe its data, and even track it to within a few dozen meters. (Not that I’d recommend busting in on the thieves, in Mexico or anywhere else.)

Also run the backup/sync app that most versions of Android and most providers support. That will let you sync a new phone to the same account and restore most or all of your contact, app, setup etc. info.

All other questions can be best answered by your provider. I hope they’re better in Mexico than most are in the US…

3

Thank you AB. If I survive this mishap I will take your advice on my next purchase.

4

I have Lookout installed on my Droid phone. When my phone, wallet, and car were stolen, I was able to track down and recover my phone using the Lookout app. I also could have wiped my phone and locked it up good; however, I was hoping to find my car. Had the cops not taken an HOUR to respond to my 911, we may well have caught the thief in the car.

So I recommend the Lookout app for Droid phone. I think that such an app is going to be mandatory on smart phones within a couple of years.

I don’t know about Mexico, but here in the USA you can have your provider lock the phone number so that they can’t rack up any long distance calls. You should do that NOW. They might even be able to lock the phone.

They may or may not be able to read the data on your SIM. Depends if it was encrypted on not. I’d assume that they could and change any passwords for things like bank accounts that might be on the phone. I’d also keep an eyeon your credit cards in case of bogus charges.

You will get your phone number back. Work with your carriers. As far as contacts, your carrier might have them backed up on their servers. Verizon backs up mine plus things like photos.

5

Are you sure it’s stolen, or just lost?

If you’ve ever used your Google login on your phone, you can use this: Find My Device

You can get a geographic location, make it ring, lock it, or erase your info from it.

6

Thank you for your reply JSTL. I will heed your advice.