Most of us rely on our smartphones. It allows us to make calls, send texts, navigate to places, look up important information and many more things that would take too long to list. In fact, if you ever lose your phone or accidentally leave it at home, you feel completely naked.
With such great phones in abundance, that opens up more chances for them to be stolen. It happens all the time unfortunately and unless you have special software installed on your Android device, the chances of you getting it back are slim to none.
Fortunately, carriers are wanting to further crack down on this big issue with a creation of a nationwide database. T-Mobile and AT&T will be using the same database while Verizon and Sprint will be using a separate system since their networks are different.
This new database which will be in place very soon with the four carriers joining forces by the end of November, will target the IMEI number of devices and if the number matches in the database that it’s been stolen, then good luck using the phone.
That’ll make it very difficult for thieves to sell the device considering they won’t be able to show that it actually works since it’ll be blocked on the carrier. Previously, thieves could just swap out the SIM card for a new one and they were good to go.
This new system will make it so that even if your phone does get stolen, the chances of a criminal enjoying any time with it or making any money by selling it, are slim to none.
If you want to make sure you’re properly protected in case anyone ever steals your phone, I recommend looking into Prey which is completely free and will allow you to keep your data safe and track your phone which you can then give over to the police.