I lost my phone

[Tserben]

If I deactivate the phone, I'm worried I won't be able to contact whoever finds it. Are there any other options?

[LurganIeUk]

I have what I call a junk email address. Both my wife and I use it when we are asked for and email address. We only give it out “if” we will have a benefit from it. It is generic and does not give away our names.

I have a labeller machine and put a label on our phones and tablets say “If found please contact applefizz@emale.not”. I also made a business card with same info and put in the case. So if lost it is all based on honesty and if some one takes the device out of the case. My case for phone is a bit of a bill fold so the business card does show “If Found”. 

[HALIMACS]

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@Tserben wrote:

If I deactivate the phone, I'm worried I won't be able to contact whoever finds it. Are there any other options?

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Do you have a good lockscreen passcode or security feature activated that ONLY you know?

One thing I've placed on my lockscreen is my e-mail address so if an honest person finds a phone I happen to lose, at least they'll be able to contact me without having to access its contents.   This might be something to consider when (hopefully) you get it back.

If they can't access the contents, you really have limited concerns as Public Mobile is a pre-paid carrier, so even if the user got into your phone, they would not be able to use any more data or minutes than your plan allows as there are NO OVERAGES.

[Luddite]

@Tserben Good advice from @esjliv  @kb_mv   but since PM is pre-paid your losses are quite limited. A worthwhile precaution though would be to change your account registered name and password, and to monitor all your PayPal/bank transactions for fraudulent activity.

To erase your personal data check out:

Android : https://www.androidpit.com/how-to-remotely-delete-android-phone-data

iPhone :http://instructionaltechtalk.com/how-to-remotely-erase-a-stolen-iphone-or-ipad/

[esjliv]

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@Tserben wrote:

If I deactivate the phone, I'm worried I won't be able to contact whoever finds it. Are there any other options?

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@Tserben - good question.

Hold off putting it in Lost/Stolen status maybe and see if you can make contact with the "finder".

But I would feel more comfortable putting it to lost, unless you feel there is no information to be compromised on it.

Sounds like you already know how to do this, but fyi anyway:

Lost/Stolen Phone and/or Suspend Service:

https://www.publicmobile.ca/en/ns/get-help/articles/lost-or-stolen-phone

Lost Or Stolen Phone

If your Phone is lost or stolen, you can Suspend your service if you’d like to prevent any calls or messages from being sent or received. Doing so will not keep your plan from expiring; however, it will ensure that your credit card is not charged at your next renewal date if you’re on AutoPay.Just follow these steps:

1. Log into your Self-Serve account
2. Go to Plan and Add-Ons > Lost/Stolen Phone
3. Select Suspend Service

Note that after 90 days in suspend, your account will be deactivated permanently so be sure to return to this page if you find your phone or decide to get a new SIM card.

[kb_mv · Accepted solution]

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@Tserben wrote:

If I deactivate the phone, I'm worried I won't be able to contact whoever finds it. Are there any other options?

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@Tserben You can go into your self serve and suspend service. Then periodically, reactivate it and try to call. Other than that no real options to protect your phone. Any chance you had find my phone turned on?

To suspend or stop your service, sign into your self serve account and follow below;

When you want to restart / unsuspend your service this will say "Restore Service"