What do phone thieves do with stolen iPhones?
What do phone thieves do with stolen iPhones?
A new stolen iPhone trick allows thieves to disable Find My and erase the device entirely. People are stealing iPhones and sending text messages to the stolen number pretending to be Apple, tricking them into giving up their Apple ID credentials.
Can Apple track stolen iPhones?
The measures are similar to features available to all iPhone users when their device is lost or stolen. The Find My app allows users to track the location of their device and even remotely erase data on the phone. The app also works for Macs, AirPods and the Apple Watch.
What happens if you steal an iPhone from the Apple Store?
When removed from the Apple Store, a stolen iPhone can’t do anything but ring for Find My iPhone until the battery dies. iPhones, iPads and Macs alike are all protected in this way. Once the device goes out of range of the store Wi-Fi, it is automatically bricked.
Can your iPhone get hacked by clicking on a website?
Just like on your computer, your iPhone can be hacked by clicking on a suspicious website or link. Try to avoid connecting to a password-free public Wi-Fi network, which opens the possibility of a hacker accessing unencrypted traffic on your device or redirecting you to a fraudulent site to access login credentials.
Can you get in trouble for stealing an iPhone?
You could be looking at grand theft, a 3rd degree felony. You need to take this seriously because a theft charge is one of the worst things you can have on your record. If it was a used phone the value is low enough that it should be filed as a misdemeanor.
Is it possible to steal an iPhone without a passcode?
These days it’s completely useless to steal an iPhone, if you have it locked with a passcode and touch ID. Even if you don’t have a passcode, you should install the Find My iPhone app on your phone. With the iCloud lock (Find my iPhone, etc), it’s near impossible to hack into one.
What happens to stolen iPhones when they are stolen?
Since stolen iPhones are usually reported as Lost or Stolen to a Mobile Network OR to iCloud, they are rendered useless. Selling them as Unlocked and Clean: The only way for the thieves to “earn” money from those stolen iPhones, is to try and sell them.
Why do police want to sell stolen mobile phones?
Police want to get the message out to the public that the phones that have been stolen have security on them by the manufacturer. The manufacturer knows what phones have been stolen and security measures will be enabled meaning these telephones are useless.
How can I track a stolen phone remotely?
Technology vendors have recognized this and on most major platforms, you can find apps and services to remotely track and wipe devices if they are stolen or go missing — such as Apple’s Find my iPhone service in the cloud and Google’s Find my Phone service, which can track your device through GPS, lock the screen, or brick the device remotely.
