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I recently lost my iPhone and had someone answer when I called bu they hung up immediately and won't answer anymore. I don't have any software installed on it like MobileMe or anything like that. AT&T said they couldn't help so am I shit out of luck or is there a way to trace it? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by mrnmarius

Dani AI

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This thread already covers contacting the carrier and having the device blocked (see replies by and ). The following focuses on practical steps that create a paper trail, protect accounts and data, and improve the chance of recovery or insurance reimbursement.

Immediate actions to take now:

  • Secure account credentials and sessions. Change the Apple ID password (Change Apple ID password). Change passwords for primary email, any banking apps, and social accounts. Use each provider's device/session management to sign out unknown sessions and enable two-factor authentication where available.
  • Preserve identifying details for reports. Locate any paperwork, the original box, carrier account pages or computer backups (iTunes/Finder device lists often include serial/IMEI). Record model, serial/IMEI, purchase date, and receipt numbers.
  • File official reports and keep copies. File a police report listing the device details, last-seen time/place and account info; insurers and carriers commonly require the report. Keep the police case number and any carrier incident/case numbers.
  • Notify financial and carrier services. Ask the carrier for a formal incident case and a service suspension; notify banks/credit card issuers if payment methods were on the phone and monitor for unauthorized charges. Keep written confirmation for disputes or claims.
  • Safety and monitoring. Do not attempt personal recovery from unknown parties. If a location becomes available, pass it to police rather than confronting anyone. Monitor all accounts for unusual activity for several months.

For future protection: enable device location/remote-erase services, use a strong passcode and biometrics, keep backups, and store the device serial/IMEI in a secure place separate from the phone. These steps reduce loss impact and help with recovery or insurance claims.

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Member Avatar for rch1231

Try ATT again. If you own the Cell they can track it you just have to get to a tech or supervisor that is willing to do it. They can triangulate it from the cell towers and also they can deactivate the SIM in it if nothing else.

Member Avatar for CimmerianX

Call ATT and give them you IMEI number. At the very least they can add the IMEI to a blacklist so that the phone can't be used on their network. This doesn't prevent it from being jailbroken and used elsewhere, but i doubt a petty thief would know how to do that.

ATT usually will not provide you the phone's location without police involvement which probably won't happen since a $300 phone would not justify the thousands in time it would take to pursue.

IF you didn't have one of those location aware services for finding a lost phone, you are probably out of luck. Sorry about the loss.

Member Avatar for mrnmarius

maybe if you have installed a gps program on it, or thru the provider

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