Lost Your Smartphone: Use This Govt Website To Recover & Block Stolen Phone

NEW DELHI: Losing a smartphone can be a nightmare in today’s connected world. With so many important features, such as internet access, banking, and social media, phones have become an essential tool for people all over the world.

However, the Department of Telecommunications, Government of India has recently launched a new website called Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR)- https://www.ceir.gov.in/, which can help users to quickly report lost or stolen smartphones.

The CEIR website allows users to block a stolen or lost mobile, unblock a found mobile, and even provides details about a second-hand smartphones. To use the CEIR website, users need to have the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number of their phone, which can be found on the phone’s box or bill or by dialling *#06# on the phone. Users also need a phone number to receive One Time Passwords (OTP) for verification.

HOW TO REPORT LOST PHONE ON CEIR WEBSITE

To report a lost or stolen smartphone on the CEIR website, users need to provide details like the mobile number of the SIM card installed on the phone, the IMEI number, and the mobile purchase invoice. Additionally, users also need to file a complaint at their nearest police station and obtain a digital copy of the complaint, which is also required to block the phone along with the details of the smartphone owner.

The CEIR service is currently available in all 37 states and union territories in India. Once a smartphone is blocked on the CEIR website, it will be added to the central database and will not be able to be used. This ensures that if someone tries to use the lost or stolen phone, it will be identified and blocked, rendering it useless.

If a user has recovered their stolen or lost mobile, they can unblock it via the CEIR website by entering details like request ID, mobile number, and a reason for unblocking. Without unblocking the phone, the device will be disabled and won’t be of any use.

In addition to the CEIR website, there is also a free Android and iOS app called KYM (Know Your Mobile), which can offer details about the status of a smartphone. KYM provides details such as the status of the IMEI number, mobile manufacturer name, model number, and device type. All users need is the IMEI number and a phone number that can receive OTP for verification. Download the KYM app from Play Store (for Android) or from App Store (for iOS).

The CEIR website and KYM app are great tools for smartphone users in India. They provide a quick and easy way to report lost or stolen phones and block them from being used by someone else. This is a significant step towards reducing phone theft and ensuring that smartphone users are better protected in the digital age.

SOME FAQs RELATED TO CEIR

Q: What information does the CEIR portal require to locate a lost phone?

A: The CEIR portal only requires the lost phone’s IMEI number. No internet connection or login ID is needed.

Q: How can you find the IMEI number of a lost phone?

A: You can find the IMEI number of your lost phone on the sticker pasted on the box in which the handset was packed. Check for the product information such as the model number and serial number. Above the bar code, the 15 digit number is the IMEI number.

Q: How do police track IMEI numbers?

A: Police can track a lost or misplaced cell phone using the phone’s specific 15-digit IMEI number. Even with a different SIM, the moment a call is made, the IMEI number helps police to track the phone to the exact or nearby cell phone tower.

Q: Can thieves change the IMEI number of a stolen phone?

A: Yes, thieves can change the IMEI number of a stolen mobile using a device known as a ‘flasher’. It is a small technologically advanced device that connects the handset to a computer and allows the user to modify the IMEI number. Once the IMEI number is modified, it becomes pretty much impossible to locate the lost cell phone.

Q: Can a blacklisted IMEI number be unblocked?

A: After blocking an IMEI number, it will be blacklisted, which forbids you from using your mobile from that instant. However, once the protective purpose, such as due to theft incidents, is solved, you can legally unblock the blacklisted IMEI number.

Q: How can you locate a lost cell phone that is turned off?

A: You can locate a lost mobile phone that is turned off through Google Location History, now called ‘Timeline’. The phone needs to be connected with your Google account and should have been connected to the internet before it turned off.

Q: Can you find an iPhone if it’s offline?

A: If your iPhone’s battery is dead or data is turned off, you can still find it. The Bluetooth location feature in your iPhone will help you locate it, as long as it is not switched off.

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