More than 200,000 mobile phones are reported lost or stolen in Australia each year. This is more than 500 per day.

According to a recent study, mobile phones are most likely to be stolen from cars (28 per cent), social venues such as restaurants, pubs and clubs (20 per cent) and the workplace (8 per cent). Most phones are reported lost or stolen on Mondays, suggesting that most phones go missing over the weekend.

Using Secure Sentinel

• include all your mobile phone details in your Secure Sentinel profile
• new or changed phone or mobile service provider? Update your details
• place a Secure Sentinel label on each phone and on each phone battery. This can help the return of the phone.
• if a phone is lost or stolen call Secure Sentinel immediately. We'll temporarily block the ability to make phone calls from your phone 
• notify the police as the basis of your insurance claim

Avoiding Theft

• Do not leave your phone in the car. You lose the phone and your car gets damaged.
• Keep your phone on you, not just with you. If you carry your phone in your hand sooner or later you'll put it down and leave it behind.
• Use a PIN and code lock on your phone. It reduces the chance of unauthorised use and makes it more likely that the handset will be returned.
• Engrave your Secure Sentinel membership number on the phone and the phone battery. This makes it harder for a thief to sell the phone.

Have a screen saver image that includes a phone number to call and offers a reward for return.  With reduced resale value from stickers and engravings, a modest reward may be the only way a thief can benefit. At least you get your phone back undamaged and with its information intact.