Global cybersecurity company Kaspersky has released a detailed five-step safety action plan to help smartphone users protect their personal data, banking information and digital identities immediately after losing a mobile device or falling victim to theft.
Key Highlights:
- Kaspersky releases emergency safety guide for lost or stolen phones
- Experts warn stolen devices could expose users to identity theft and banking fraud
- Users advised to activate “Find My Device” or “Find My iPhone” immediately
- Kaspersky recommends blocking SIM cards, bank accounts and passwords quickly
- Company urges users to enable automatic backups and phone tracking before emergencies occur
Cybersecurity experts warn scammers may impersonate victims using stolen phones
Kaspersky says remote data wipe should be the final step if recovery fails
In a statement released on Thursday, the company warned that beyond the inconvenience of losing a smartphone, victims also face serious risks including unauthorised access to financial accounts, identity theft and exposure of sensitive personal information.
According to Kaspersky experts, the first step after discovering a missing phone is to activate location tracking services such as Android’s “Find My Device” or Apple’s “Find My” feature through another connected device.
The company explained that users of Kaspersky for Android can also access the “Where Is My Device” feature through the My Kaspersky web portal to track their devices in real time.
Kaspersky advised users to immediately place missing devices in “Lost Mode” and activate screen locks to prevent unauthorised access.
The company noted that users can also display custom messages or contact numbers on locked screens for anyone who finds the device.
According to the cybersecurity firm, its Android security solution includes additional features such as loud remote alarms capable of ringing even when phones are set to silent mode.
The company also highlighted its “Mugshot” feature, which can capture photographs using the front camera of a stolen device and potentially help authorities identify suspects.
Kaspersky warned users to remain cautious of scammers who may use stolen phones to impersonate victims by sending fraudulent messages or making calls requesting money from family members and friends.
The company further advised victims to immediately contact their mobile network providers to block SIM cards and prevent fraudulent activities linked to stolen numbers.
Users were also urged to notify banks to block linked payment cards and immediately reset passwords for important online accounts and password managers.
Kaspersky stressed that features such as SIM Watch and anti-uninstall protection can help prevent criminals from bypassing device security after replacing SIM cards.
The cybersecurity company explained that restoring lost files, photos and documents would only be possible if cloud backups or automatic syncing had already been activated before the device went missing.
As a final measure, Kaspersky recommended remotely erasing all data from unrecoverable devices through Android, Apple or My Kaspersky platforms.
Senior Malware Analyst at Kaspersky, Dmitry Kalinin, said many users underestimate how deeply their digital lives are connected to smartphones until they lose access to them.
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“In the routine of daily operations, it is easy to overlook how many critical aspects of our digital lives are tied to our mobile devices,” Kalinin said.
He noted that losing a phone could result not only in inconvenience, but also financial losses, compromised accounts and identity theft.
Kaspersky also encouraged users to take preventive measures before emergencies occur by enabling location tracking, automatic backups, immediate auto-lock settings and secure password management systems.
The company advised users in public places to avoid leaving phones unattended or easily accessible to thieves.
