We updated this article on Monday July 27, 2020.On this occasion, we checked that the telephone numbers of the various assistance still operated and completed the information already provided.

SMARTPHONE - Après un vol de smartphone, comme dans le cas d'une carte bancaire où l’on doit faire immédiatement opposition, s'engage une course contre la montre.Your phone being most often stolen, already on, so ready to use, it is a question of reacting as quickly as possible to block the line before the thief was able to use it improperly.But if blocking the SIM card protects the victim from fraudulent use of the subscription, it does not prevent the resale of the phone without the original SIM card or its use with another.However, blocking the handset so that it becomes unusable on all French networks has been possible since 2002.

The procedure to discourage thieves is quite simple, we explain the steps to follow:

1.Preciously keep two numbers

Your operator's customer service number is the one that will allow you to block your line. Si vous êtes tête en l'air, voici le ou les numéros de chaque opérateur qui, on vous l'accorde, peuvent être parfois difficiles à retenir :

Make sure you always have it at hand in the event of a flight, since you will have to call your operator as quickly as possible to suspend the line.

Conservez également le numéro IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) du téléphone.This is an identification number, specific to each handset. Pour le trouver, tapez "*#06#" sur le clavier de téléphone.A code of fifteen digits is displayed then, that you will have plenty of time to note. Le numéro IMEI peut également se trouver au dos du mobile, sous la batterie, sur l’étiquette du coffret d’emballage ou sur la facture d'achat de votre téléphone. Gardez-le précieusement ! En cas de vol, il permettra de bloquer le téléphone et il n’existe aucun autre moyen de le connaître.

2.Ask for your line suspension

Smartphone volé, ligne et téléphone bloqués, que faire ?

We have just torn off your phone from the hands or you've lost it in a public place. Premier réflexe pour empêcher qu’on ne passe des appels à vos frais : suspendez la ligne.Contact your operator's customer service from a fixed line or from a laptop.After claiming your laptop number and checking your identity, the line will be immediately suspended.To do this, the operator blocks your SIM card which then becomes unusable.A very easy, free operation that can be reversible: in case you lose, then find your phone.

3.Block the phone

Your line is suspended, it is essential to protect yourself against any fraudulent use of your subscription.But suspend the line does not prevent using the mobile with another SIM card, for example.To dissuade thieves somewhat, there is a way to make the phone unusable, thanks to the IMEI number.Hexagonal operators have formed a common base, a sort of "blacklist", identifying all the Imei telephone numbers declared stolen stolen.This blocking operation takes place in two phases.Déposez plainte pour vol auprès d’un service de police ou de gendarmerie dans les 48h.And communicate the IMEI number of the phone to the agent who takes your testimony.This for two reasons: the IMEI number must appear on the minutes and it will then have the value of legal evidence, in particular for the operator to start the blocking procedure. Par ailleurs, il pourrait permettre (rêvons un peu) d’identifier votre portable s’il est retrouvé…Envoyez une copie du procès-verbal de la plainte mentionnant le numéro IMEI du téléphone à votre opérateur.Upon receipt, the latter writes this issue in the list of mobiles declared stolen: the update is carried out during the day upon receipt of the minutes.The three French operators will now prevent all communications passed by this phone on their network.

The blocking procedure takes every two or three days, between the filing of the complaint and its reception by the operator.It is not compulsory and depends, obviously, only on the goodwill of the users dispossessed of their phone.It is a small citizen gesture, which, if applied by everyone, could have a certain deterrent effect.Too bad all the same that the blocking of the telephone is effective only in France, since the list of handsets stolen in France is only shared by and between French operators ... Clearly, a stolen and blocked phone in France can be usedwithout problem on one network in another European country or elsewhere.Result, mobile trafficking still have a bright future ahead of them!Unless operators manage to agree one day, at European level, even global.

If you have lost all hope of finding your stolen phone, you can opt for a new smartphone.No matter your budget, you will surely find the replacement that suits you by consulting one of our selections:

Image credit: Cunaplus / Shutterstock

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