Follow these steps if you lose your phone: block the SIM card, remotely lock it, change passwords, file a police report, and freeze your bank cards if needed.

4. Follow these steps if you lose your phone: block the SIM card, remotely lock it, change passwords, file a police report, and freeze your bank cards if needed.

Cost: No cost involved. Completing all steps takes just a few minutes.

In plain terms: The order of actions matters more than speed. First, block the SIM card to cut off access to verification codes. Next, remotely lock the phone. Then, use a computer to change your email and payment passwords. After that, file a police report to obtain a receipt. Finally, freeze your bank cards as needed. Even if you’re using someone else’s phone, you can still call your carrier to block the SIM card.

Benefit: Following the correct sequence is more important than acting quickly. Step one is blocking the SIM card, which severs the main channel for verification codes. Step two involves remotely locking the phone and erasing all its contents. Step three requires changing your email and payment passwords from a computer. Step four is filing a police report to get a receipt. Finally, freeze your bank cards if necessary. The Federal Communications Commission also advises that even if you believe you merely misplaced your phone, you should still remotely lock it. If it’s stolen, file a police report immediately, providing the phone’s model and IMEI number, and inform your carrier right away.

Evidence grade: C

Notes: Save the customer service numbers for all three major carriers in advance: China Mobile at 10086, China Unicom at 10010, and China Telecom at 10000. Also note the city where you registered your phone number, as customer service agents will ask for this information. You can still call carrier hotlines from someone else’s phone to block your SIM card.

Sources: US FCC. Protect Your Smart Device. <https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/protect-your-mobile-device>; The sequence of steps is based on the author’s experience; see section 7 for a replacement ID card, and section 8 about credit information for fake loans.