My phone was stolen – here's what I did to protect my money and data
Hi there - I’m part of the team here at Sends, and recently, something happened that I never thought would happen to me: my phone was stolen. It was in my bag one second, and the next,… gone.
As someone who works in digital finance, I knew I had to act quickly. My phone wasn’t just for calls and messages—it also had access to my banking apps, digital wallet, email, social media, and more.
Here’s exactly what I did — and what I’d recommend you to do if you ever find yourself in the same situation:
1. I Locked My Phone Remotely
Because I use an iPhone, I went straight to iCloud.com from my laptop, opened Find My iPhone, and activated Lost Mode. This locked my device, displayed a message on the screen, and allowed me to track its last location.
(If you’re on Android, you can do the same thing through Google’s Find My Device — it’s a lifesaver.)
2. I Called My Mobile Network Provider
I called my mobile operator and had them block my SIM card immediately. That way, no one could receive texts or calls using my number, especially those important one-time passwords for online accounts.
3. I Removed My Cards from Apple Pay
Even though my phone was locked, I wasn’t taking any chances. I logged into my Apple ID and removed all my payment cards from Apple Pay. If you’re using Google Wallet, the process is just as simple from your Google account.
4. I Changed My Passwords — Fast
I went straight to my most important accounts — email, digital wallet, and online banking — and changed my passwords. It was a bit of a scramble, but I was glad I’d set up two-factor authentication on most apps beforehand.
5. I Let Our Support Team Know
As someone who works in a company that offers electronic money services, I know how crucial it is to immediately alert your providerimmediately. If you’re a customer and this ever happens to you, don’t wait—contact our support team. We can temporarily freeze your account and ensure no one else can access your funds.
6. I Reported the Theft to the Police
I reported the stolen phone by calling the non-emergency police number 101 in the UK. They gave me a crime reference number, which is important if you need to file an insurance claim or if any follow-up is later on.
7. I Checked My Insurance
Luckily, I had phone insurance through my bank account, so I contacted them and started the claim. If your phone is covered, report the theft immediately — and keep any evidence handy.
What I Learned
Looking back, there are a few things that made a big difference:
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I had Find My iPhone enabled.
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I used strong passwords and Face ID.
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I had two-factor authentication turned on.
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I regularly backed up my phone.
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If you haven’t already set these up, trust me — it’s worth doing today, not “someday.”
Final Thought: Stay Calm and Act Fast
Losing your phone (or having it stolen) can feel overwhelming — but if you act quickly, you can protect your data and money. And remember, if you’re one of our customers and something like this happens, we’re here to help. Just contact our team, and we’ll do everything possible to secure your account and give you peace of mind.
Stay safe,
The Sends Team