Apple has a support page explaining what to do if your iPhone is stolen, and it has now updated this page with more detailed advice.
This includes a new section warning of potential scams and advising against entering contact details to display on the stolen device …
The support page is a comprehensive one, covering everything from how to put your device into Lost Mode through remotely erasing it, removing it from your trusted devices list, and filing a claim with AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss.
Apple’s previous advice included displaying contact information on the lock screen of the device so that anyone finding it can easily reach you in order to arrange for you to be reunited with it. However, the company now specifically warns against doing so when you know that your phone was stolen rather than misplaced.
Don’t include your contact information if your device was stolen. While you might see an option to enter a phone number or message about how to contact you, this information is helpful if you’ve lost your device and want to make it easier for someone who finds your device to get it back to you. If your device was stolen, the thief might use your contact information for social engineering schemes.
Social engineering attacks might include things like the thief pretending to be calling you from Apple or your mobile phone carrier and seeking information that can be used to reactivate the device.
Apple also cautions you against removing the device from Find My.
Don’t remove the device from Find My. Removing the device from your Find My list removes Activation Lock, which will make it easier for the thief to erase and resell your device.
Finally, the company notes that Stolen Device Protection safeguards only work for a limited time.
Mark as Lost, even with Stolen Device Protection. Stolen Device Protection’s additional safeguards last only for a period of time. The best way to protect your iPhone and Apple Account is to quickly mark the stolen device as lost.
This feature means that your device will demand biometric authentication for particularly sensitive actions such as accessing stored passwords and credit cards. Changing your Apple account password when the phone is in an unfamiliar location will require a one-hour wait as well as use of Face ID or Touch ID. This measure is intended to ensure you have time to activate Lost Mode, and ensure a thief cannot compromise your Apple account even if they saw you enter your passcode.
One tactic used by thieves is to offer to use your phone to take a photo of you when out with friends, and to use the press-and-hold of the side button and volume-down buttons to lock the device and disable Face ID before handing it back to you. This gives them the opportunity to watch you enter your passcode as you go to view the photo. They then look for a subsequent opportunity to steal the phone.
Photo by Luis Villasmil on Unsplash
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