If you don't want to end up like this guy that got his phone stolen, here's how to protect your iPhone

If you don’t want to end up like this guy that got his phone stolen, here’s how to protect your iPhone،

Recently, we've heard stories of stolen iPhones. Many cases like this can be found online, and of course, scammers are ready to extort you out of ending up with a beautiful iPhone 15 Pro Max that is only useful for parts.

As you probably know, Apple prides itself on the level of security it offers iPhone users. One such aspect is that each iPhone is tied to an Apple ID and cannot be used or otherwise unlocked if the user does not have the phone's passcode or Face ID. Basically, thieves risk a nightmare if they steal an iPhone and then want to sell it as a working product.

Scammers and stolen iPhones

A recent case in which an iPhone owner was extorted into removing their stolen iPhone from Find My is the impetus for this article. Basically what we want to make sure is that you don't find yourself in a similar situation, or even if you do, know what you can do and what you definitely shouldn't do.

In the case mentioned above, a person who had their iPhone stolen received fraudulent messages asking them to delete the stolen device from Find My.

Rule number one: You never do what the scammers want you to do.

Since the phone is locked with the original owner's Apple ID, the thief can't resell it (he can, but it's an unusable iPhone). They can't access anything or install any apps. However, if the owner deletes the device from Find My, the thief can then go ahead and reset the device and use it like a new iPhone.

Fraudsters lie and use manipulation to persuade you

Scammers usually use manipulative tactics to ensure that you do what they are offering. They will lie with statements like, “I know where you live” or “I know where your family is,” or try to beg with statements like, “Please remove this phone from Find My or my girl will be sad forever.” …you get the gist. It's a lie, don't fall for it. Instead, keep reading to find out what you can do.

The recent example of a rogue thief. DON'T listen to him - If you don't want to end up like that guy whose phone was stolen, here's how to protect your iPhone

The recent example of a rogue thief. Do not listen to him

Not Getting Your iPhone Stolen in the First Place, or How to Protect Your iPhone

First, let's discuss what you can do to prevent your iPhone from being stolen. These are just some common rules and we know that accidents can happen (the next section explains what to do in this case), but it is good for all of us to follow some basic rules when we are in shift.

Most of them will seem…well, obvious. But sometimes we overlook the obvious and find ourselves in complicated situations. So, let’s go over some common safety rules!

If you don't want to end up like that guy whose phone was stolen, here's how to protect your iPhone

Always know where your belongings are if you are away

Basically, avoid leaving your bag on a table outside and go into a cafe. Also avoid leaving your iPhone on a table outside. Do not carry your iPhone in an outside pocket of your backpack (on your back) if you are going through a crowded space. For this one, I suggest moving your backpack in front of you.

Also, don't carry your iPhone in your back pocket in a crowded space. This includes bars, pubs and public transport.

Beware of sob stories tricking you into lending your phone to a stranger

Also, don't lend your iPhone to people you don't know. A very simple example that can be used by thieves is when someone comes to you and asks for your phone to make a call because they lost theirs, or have no money, etc. In this case, you can always make the call yourself or give them money, but don't give your phone to a stranger.

Don't lend your iPhone to a stranger. If they need to make a call, call it for them

The iPhone is out of sight in your car when it's parked.

This one is pretty simple. Avoid leaving your phone in your car in a visible space when you have parked your car. Here are also some software steps you can take right now to further protect your iPhone:

Set a strong password
Have Face ID or Touch ID enabled
Enable Find My (it's enabled by default, so if you've never touched it, you should be fine. Check again by going to your profile > Find My > and seeing if the Find My iPhone and Find My settings Network are enabled)
Enable Stolen Device Protection (for iOS 17.3)
Use two-factor authentication for Apple ID

But accidents happen. The iPhone is gone. Now what?

Okay, although we are always vigilant and careful, accidents like your iPhone being stolen can happen. So here are some of the rules you need to follow to ensure that your data is not stolen and that you do not reward the thief with a new, fully functional iPhone.

First, in simple terms: no one can access your iPhone without your permission, not even Apple. No matter what the thief claims to be able to do, he is only lying. If Find My is enabled, there's nothing they can do on your iPhone to access it.

If Find My is enabled, what can a thief do with my iPhone?

Sell it for spare parts (the phone cannot be used as a regular phone) or,
Sell it to someone on the black market who doesn't know that this phone can't be used like a regular phone

Basically, when Find My is enabled and even if the phone is wiped remotely, it will still be protected by Activation Lock, a screen that requires credentials to unlock the phone.

When you realize your iPhone is missing, here's what you can do:

Mark iPhone as lost

This will put the iPhone into lost mode and it will be locked. It will only display your contact details on its screen, in case a good Samaritan finds them.

The Find My app is usually found on an iPhone's home screen

Here's how to mark your iPhone as lost:

Go to the Find My app. You can do this from another Apple device or from a PC on iCloud.com (access Find my from a desktop computer)
Select the device.
Click or tap “Mark as lost” and follow the instructions.

If a scammer contacts you: ignore them and let them feel unhappy

If your device is linked to Find My, all they have is a bricked iPhone. So they can't sell it as a working phone and they can't make a profit from it. So, they will try manipulation.

The thief might pretend they just bought your iPhone and tell you a sob story on iMessage about how it's unusable and begging you to delete the device from Find My. Or they can extort you, as we mentioned earlier. Here's what to do:

Ignore any instructions the scammer gives you. Do not give them any personal information or click on any links.
Erase iPhone. DO NOT click “Remove this device”, but click “Erase this device” from Find My, which will delete your data from iPhone but it will remain locked to your Apple ID. Alternately, contact Apple for help.
Call the police to report. Also call your carrier to mark the device as stolen.
Contact your loved ones so they know your phone has been stolen.

So how do these scammers find your information?

If you're worried they might have found your email address or contacts, here's how they do it. When you mark the iPhone as lost, the device will display the contact information you chose when marking it as lost, so that if someone finds it, they can contact you to send it back to you. Fraudsters can then take this information and launch their scams. Ignore them, they have nothing else on you. So there you have it, friends! Here are some simple steps you can take to protect your iPhone and data so you don't end up in a bad situation. Bottom line: protect your belongings in crowded spaces and never obey scammers.