Do police ever find stolen phones?

Asked by: Garrison Daugherty  |  Last update: November 12, 2022
Score: 4.4/5 (10 votes)

Support wikiHow by unlocking this staff-researched answer. Yes, the police can track a stolen phone using either your phone number or the phone's IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity). Whether or not the police prioritize looking for your stolen phone is another matter.

Can police track your phone if its stolen?

The police won't track your phone without reason, but they can access your device's location history in an emergency or if they suspect criminal activity. Once they have a warrant, the police can access a phone's GPS data through a cell provider and view its current or last known location.

What do thieves do with stolen phones?

Sell it for parts

In the most common scenario, the smartphone is simply sold for parts, especially if the thief found it locked. If the purpose was just to steal a phone, not to hurt you specifically, chances are the thief will not purposefully try to hack it.

Can police track a phone with IMEI number?

No. The IMEI is merely an identification number. It has no magical tracking properties of its own.

Can police track a phone without SIM card?

The answer to that is a simple yes! All phones, whether an iPhone or an android, can be tracked down without a sim card or network. Still, they will need to have a secure Wi-Fi connection to be accurate.

How Does Police Track Your Stolen Phone Via IMEI Number | Hindi Explain

36 related questions found

What can the police do with your IMEI?

1.1 Each mobile handset has a unique identification number known as an International Mobile Equipment Identity number or more commonly an IMEI. With the IMEI being unique to the individual handset it provides police opportunities to identify and recover stolen property.

How often are stolen phones recovered?

Only 10% of U.S. smartphone owners have their devices stolen, but once the gadgets are taken, 68% of victims are unable to get them back, a report Wednesday said.

Can a phone still be tracked after factory reset?

Originally Answered: Can a stolen Android be tracked if it was factory reset? No you cannot track after a device has been reset. For the tracking to work the location services have to be turned on which will be default to off after a reset.

Why do robbers take cell phones?

They have a high status and their resale value is high compared to other electronics.” Thieves have little trouble “wiping” the device of personal information without triggering a tracking device, he says, and if a phone isn't password-protected, it can easily be reset by its new user.

How long does it take for the police to track your phone?

GPS works by measuring the time it takes a radio signal to travel between one of the many satellites orbiting the earth and a cellphone. This time is used to determine the location of the phone, and it happens almost instantaneously.

How do police track phones?

How does police trace mobile phone? They use the IMEI number to trace lost mobiles.
...
An easy way to check your IMEI number is to dial *#06# in your dial-pad.
  1. white listed,
  2. grey listed and.
  3. black listed.

Can an IMEI be tracked?

It is now possible to track any IMEI online without going through any intermediate service provider. Google "IMEI tracker online free" and choose the website of your choice. This online service allows you to locate your phone number displayed conveniently on a map.

What is the most stolen phone?

ONS Data shows that women are more likely to have their mobile phone stolen, with roughly 180,000 of the reported thefts compared to 150,000 from men.
...
  • iPhone X.
  • iPhone XS.
  • iPhone 7.
  • Samsung S8.
  • Samsung S9.

Can someone use my stolen phone?

Thieves can always erase your device and keep using it—unless you enable something like Activation Lock on an iPhone or iPad—but they can't get at your personal data if your device's storage is encrypted.

Can you use a phone reported stolen?

Can a lost or stolen phone be activated? Yes. Report it to your carrier.

Can a stolen phone be reset?

Yes, it's possible for the thief to factory reset the phone from recovery menu. However, if you had a screen lock set on the phone and your Google account set up on it, the phone would become unusable after the reset, as the thief would need one of these to set up the phone again.

How do you track a phone when its turned off?

How to Locate a Lost Android Phone That Is Turned Off
  1. Can You Track a Phone That Is Turned Off? ...
  2. Use Find My Device to Locate Your Android Phone. ...
  3. Trace Your Steps Using the Google Maps Timeline. ...
  4. Track Your Phone Using Third-Party Apps. ...
  5. Find Your Lost Android Phone.

Does IMEI number change after factory reset?

Each IMEI number is unique to a mobile set and can never be changed or replaced, unlike a SIM card.

What do thieves do with stolen iPhones?

They will try to wipe out the data including photos, videos, documents, audios, etc. from stolen iPhones for resale. Thieves know several techniques to erase everything from the stolen phone. Plus, thieves are also capable of tricking the buyer that stolen iPhone is clean and unlocked.

What if my phone is stolen and turned off?

An Android phone can be found through the Android Device Manager. To find your phone, simply go to the Find My Device site and log in using the Google account that is associated with your phone. If you have more than one phone, choose the lost phone in the menu at the top of the screen.

Why do people still steal phones?

Some phone-criminals are mainly focused on accessing your data, as it's worth more to them than the handset itself. Armed with your personal information, identity fraud becomes a piece of cake. They can access your sensitive files, for example, or even pay a visit to your online bank account.

Can police track blocked IMEI number?

Once the IMEI number is modified, it is pretty much impossible to locate the lost cell phone. Can IMEI be unblocked? After blocking your IMEI number, it will be blacklisted thus forbidding you to use your mobile from that instant. Basically, the device is blocked for protective purposes such as due to theft incidents.

Can a stolen phone be tracked with IMEI number?

Through this CEIR (Central Equipment Identity Register) database, you can trace your lost or stolen mobile by following a few steps. The portal requires only the 15-digit IMEI number of the lost phone (which you can find on the packing or the bill). You can also block your phone using the same website.

How far back can police track text messages?

The police may obtain your opened and unopened messages that are 180 days old or older with a subpoena. But they have to let you know once they've requested this access from the provider. Law enforcement are allowed to access older, unread emails without telling you if they obtain a court order.

How do people sell stolen phones?

When a smartphone is stolen, it can easily be sold on the underground market. Many pawn shops are ready and willing to purchase and sell mobile phones. With no questions asked, these pawn shops will sell stolen phones to customers who believe that they are getting a good deal.