It appears someone stole my phone and is using my phone number, what do I do?

[EthanB]

Hi there. The other day I went to the gym, and couldn't find my cellphone after. I went to locate my phone, and it showed it was at the local police station, but I went there and they didn't have it.

When I tried to locate it again later, there was a new pin that I never set. Today, I tried calling my number, and a guy answered my phone number. I asked him what was going on, and he told me he was given the number when he bought a new phone yesterday at a telus kiosk. I called the location, and they said they couldn't help me.

Just wondering, does anyone know what's going on, and what I should do from here forward? My number is important and is connected to businesses, I'm hoping someone didn't hijack it.

Thank-you for reading.

[Yummy]

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@computergeek541 wrote:

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@Yummy wrote:

To prevent further fraud with your phone go and Blacklist your phone so it becomes useless for anybody having it and your SIM will be deactivated.

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Unless an eSIM is being used, blacklisting a device does not deactivate the SIM card.  If someone were to phyysically remove a SIM card and place it into another deivce, it would still work.

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Wow. Good to know. At least phone will become useless to the thieves...

[computergeek541]

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@Yummy wrote:

To prevent further fraud with your phone go and Blacklist your phone so it becomes useless for anybody having it and your SIM will be deactivated.

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Unless an eSIM is being used, blacklisting a device does not deactivate the SIM card.  If someone were to physically remove a SIM card and place it into another deivce, it would still work.

[Yummy]

To prevent further fraud with your phone go and Blacklist your phone so it becomes useless for anybody having it and your SIM will be deactivated.

You would need (most likely) phone's IME number.

Whoever stole your phone will NOT give you back as obviously they managed to unlock and use it. Get over it, get new phone, new SIM, etc. Next time do not carry it to public places and leave unattended. Leave it in a car...

[slusagm]

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@Chalupa_Batman wrote:

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 Contact the police and let them deal with it. 

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This won't get you anywhere.  Police would not deal with minor issue like this

[Chalupa_Batman]

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@hairbag1 wrote:

@EthanB 

you can use Find My Phone to locate the address where the cellphone is. Knock on the door, explain what happened and ask to see the phone to make sure it's yours. Offer him $100 finder fee to return your cell otherwise you're gonna get RCMP involved. Good luck.

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I would STRONGLY advise against this!!! You do not know what kind of situation you are walking into. DO NOT under any circumstances go there on your own or with a friend. Contact the police and let them deal with it. There is zero reason to put your life or a friends life at risk over a phone. 

[hairbag1]

@EthanB 

you can use Find My Phone to locate the address where the cellphone is. Knock on the door, explain what happened and ask to see the phone to make sure it's yours. Offer him $100 finder fee to return your cell otherwise you're gonna get RCMP involved. Good luck.

[slusagm]

yes, you can as long as you can login My Account

Set the account to Lost/Stolen today, don't delay.  Then go to buy a new PM sim card from Telus, Koodo or Mobile Klink store. You can then login My Account to change the sim card number

if you have trouble logging in because of 2FA sent to phone, click Didn't Receive code and then select send Email 

[EthanB]

I lost it yesterday. Yes, I can set it to lost / stolen immediately, but will I be able to retrieve my phone number if I attach a new sim?

[slusagm]

Did you just recently lost the phone? or long time ago?

no reason they will recycle the phone number that quick.  All provider will not recycle the number for at least 3 months, usually longer.  So, there is a chance the one who answer the calls lied

but did you login My Account to stop the service?  That is usually what you should do at once.

Can you login My Account now?  If so, set it as Lost / Stolen immediately