Lost your phone? Act fast to stop fraud, say police

Patna: In today’s digital world, a lost or stolen cellphone can rapidly turn into a gateway for cybercriminals to drain victims’ bank accounts or digital wallets, and misuse personal data and photos. The Patna cyber police shared that the key to preventing or minimising such fraud lies in acting immediately and staying prepared with strong security habits.Nitish Chandra Dhariya, DSP and in charge of cyber police station, Patna, highlighted the growing number of cases where lost or stolen cellphones are exploited for financial fraud.He advised immediate SIM deactivation and account freezing upon loss, along with enabling a SIM lock and adopting e-SIM technology for added safety. He also encouraged everyone to file complaints on ceir.gov.in, which helps authorities track and potentially return the device to its owner.“As soon as the victim realises their cellphone is missing, they should contact the service provider to deactivate the SIM card and call the bank to freeze all linked accounts and UPI services. They should also visit the official CEIR portal to register a complaint, which enables nationwide blocking and possible tracking of the device. If money is already withdrawn, call the National Cyber Crime Helpline 1930 without delay or rush to the nearest cyber police station—swift reporting greatly improves the chances of recovering funds and apprehending the culprits,” Dhariya said on Saturday.The DSP also suggested that people should stay ahead of such threats and make it a habit to enable the SIM PIN lock through their phone settings. “A simple 4-digit code can prevent the SIM from being used in another device. Switching to an e-SIM is another excellent option, as it remains embedded in the phone and cannot be physically removed or misused. Always secure your phone with a strong password, PIN, or pattern, turn on two-factor authentication and biometric locks for banking and payment apps, and consider using app locks for extra protection on sensitive applications,” he said.Dhariya added: “Through its dedicated cyber awareness campaign, Patna police continues to educate citizens on these practical measures, empowering everyone to safeguard their digital lives against rising mobile-related frauds.”